Egypt and Uganda Deepen Technology Dialogue Around AI, Research and Digital Skills
Egypt and Uganda are exploring a broader technology partnership built around artificial intelligence, digital skills, academic exchange and applied research following talks between Uganda’s State Minister for ICT Joyce Sebuggwawo and Egypt University for Informatics.
The discussions at EUI’s Knowledge City campus in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital identified five areas through which the university could support Uganda’s technology and innovation priorities.
Digital Skills and Academic Exchange Lead the Agenda
The proposed partnership would provide specialised training for Ugandan professionals in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data analytics.
EUI also proposed scholarships, student and faculty exchanges and joint research supervision, creating opportunities for deeper academic links between Egyptian and Ugandan institutions.
Research Projects Target African Development Challenges
Applied research represents another major component of the proposed cooperation.
EUI presented its involvement in GAINAfrica, a Horizon Europe-backed project that seeks to develop locally relevant AI solutions for sectors including healthcare, education, agriculture, urban planning and infrastructure.
Institutions from several African and European countries are participating in the project, including partners from Uganda and Egypt.
Entrepreneurship to Connect Innovation With Market Needs
Entrepreneurship and innovation are also included in the cooperation framework.
The university proposed supporting Egyptian-Ugandan student ventures and developing technology applications designed around African market and community needs.
The discussions also highlighted EUI’s links with industry, including practical training, mentoring and graduation projects developed around real-world business challenges.
AI and Digital Twins for Next-Generation Industry
The talks extended into advanced manufacturing, where AI, digital twins and integrated data could be used to improve industrial efficiency and operational resilience.
EUI stressed the importance of multidisciplinary expertise combining engineering, computing, business and design to address increasingly complex industrial requirements.
Building Capabilities for Digital Services
Business process outsourcing and IT-enabled services were identified as another potential area for cooperation.
Uganda could benefit from expertise in preparing talent for computing, big data analytics and business information systems, while developing professional skills required by the digital services sector.
Protecting Innovation Through Intellectual Property
The university also highlighted intellectual property protection as an important element of joint research.
Clearly defining ownership rights, partner responsibilities and the use of research outcomes from the early stages of collaborative projects can help protect inventions, software, creative works and other forms of innovation.
The discussions ultimately seek to establish a broader Egypt-Uganda technology partnership that combines education, research, entrepreneurship and AI development to support digital transformation across Africa.