Arab Experts Call for Unified Regional Cooperation to Build a Competitive Digital Economy at Cairo ICT 2025
high-level panel at Cairo ICT 2025 explored pathways for developing a unified Arab ecosystem for artificial intelligence, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated regional efforts to build a competitive digital economy capable of innovation, talent development, and global influence.
The session, titled «Toward a Unified Arab AI Ecosystem», brought together leaders from the Arab ICT Union (AICTU) and several prominent technology associations from across the region. Discussions focused on how governments, civil institutions, and the private sector can collectively craft a shared Arab vision for artificial intelligence.
Dr. Nasser Fouad, Advisor to the Union and chair of the session, underscored the importance of establishing a unified Arab regulatory framework for AI. He emphasized that technological leadership depends on vision and commitment more than financial resources, highlighting Bahrain’s experience as proof that Arab nations can compete globally despite differing investment capacities.
Ethical AI and Cultural Integration
Rashid Al-Sanan, Vice President of the Union from Bahrain, noted that AICTU includes diverse associations from Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Yemen, and Jordan. He stressed the need to form specialized pan-Arab groups of AI engineers working under the Union’s umbrella, with a strong commitment to ethical AI. He also called for embedding AI into Arab culture—linguistically, socially, and educationally—supported by a unified action plan within the Union’s advisory council.
Toward Arab Integration
Eng. Hossam Megahed, Chairman of the Egyptian ICT Association (EITESAL), highlighted the lack of alignment among national AI strategies as a major challenge. He called for coordinated efforts to leverage regional strengths in data centers and talent pools. Megahed referenced existing collaboration models such as joint training programs with Google and Cairo University and proposed establishing joint virtual Arab incubators that enable cross-border teams to collaborate without travel barriers, stating that «good ideas should not be constrained by borders».
Education and Workforce Readiness
Raouf Nasser, Board Member of the Union, emphasized that AI has become a cornerstone of education and professional development. He called for removing obstacles to talent mobility across Arab countries and stressed that AI forms the foundation of future academic and career opportunities. Participants agreed that a unified Arab AI ecosystem is now a strategic necessity for building a globally competitive digital economy—one grounded in coordinated strategies, shared initiatives, joint incubators, talent development, and a common regulatory framework.
Cairo ICT 2025: The Region’s Technological Epicenter
The 29th edition of Cairo ICT 2025 is taking place from 16 to 19 November at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo, under the patronage of Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dr. Amr Talaat and the theme «AI Everywhere». More than 500 exhibitors are taking part, alongside leading ministries and national authorities.
The event brings together five major parallel zones:
PAFIX, dedicated to digital payments and financial inclusion under the patronage of the Central Bank of Egypt
AIDC, focused on AI and data centers under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigration
Connecta, for youth and digital entertainment
Innovation Arena, dedicated to creativity and emerging technologies
Cyber Zone, for cybersecurity
For the first time, the exhibition spans two locations within the venue.
Key participants include the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Central Bank of Egypt, the Financial Regulatory Authority, the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), ITIDA, Egypt Post, the Arab Organization for Industrialization, and the Future of Egypt Authority as Guest of Honor.
The exhibition features interactive sessions and live demonstrations covering artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, 5G, cybersecurity, smart cities, edtech, cloud computing, fintech, green technologies, and digital identity (eKYC).
Cairo ICT 2025 is supported by major sponsors including Dell Technologies, eFinance Group, WB Engineers+Consultants, CIB Egypt, Huawei, «Ornچ Egypt», EgyptAir, Egypt Trust, Mastercard, MIDAR, and Fortinet. Additional sponsors include Salesforce, Benya Group, Khazna, the National Bank of Egypt, the Arab African International Bank, Bank of Alexandria, Shaker Group, ICT Misr, IoT Misr, Network International, and Meinhardt.