Egypt has strengthened its position as a rising centre for artificial intelligence and digital innovation after hosting the inaugural AI Everything Middle East & Africa (MEA) Summit in the capital, an event that drew policymakers, global technology companies, investors, startups and researchers from across Africa and the Middle East.
The summit, held in Cairo in February, marked the first time the AI Everything platform was staged for the Middle East and Africa, underscoring Egypt’s determination to play a leading role in the region’s fast-growing AI ecosystem. Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and industry partners, the event brought together hundreds of exhibitors and speakers, as well as thousands of delegates from government, enterprise, academia, and the startup community.
Opening the summit, Egyptian officials framed artificial intelligence as a strategic national priority. “Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept; it is a present-day tool for economic growth, public sector efficiency and global competitiveness,” one senior government representative said, adding that Egypt aims to “build an inclusive AI ecosystem that serves both national and regional development goals”.
The AI Everything MEA Summit focused heavily on applied use cases, with discussions centred on healthcare, financial services, education, cybersecurity and smart infrastructure. Speakers repeatedly emphasised the importance of moving beyond pilot projects to large-scale deployment. “The real value of AI lies in implementation,” said one technology executive during a panel session. “What we are seeing in Egypt is a growing readiness to turn ideas into impact.”
Global technology firms attending the summit pointed to Egypt’s expanding digital talent pool and improving infrastructure as key attractions. “Egypt offers a unique combination of scale, skills and strategic location,” a regional executive from a multinational technology company said. “It has the potential to act as a bridge between Africa, the Middle East and Europe for AI development and investment.”
Local startups and research teams were also given prominence, reflecting official efforts to strengthen home-grown innovation. Several Egyptian developers showcased AI systems designed for Arabic language processing, public service automation and medical diagnostics. “Building AI solutions that understand our languages and our data is critical,” one Egyptian founder said. “This summit gives local innovators the visibility and partnerships they need to compete globally.”
Analysts and investors at the event highlighted the broader economic stakes, noting projections that AI could contribute hundreds of billions of dollars to regional economies over the next decade. However, speakers also cautioned that realising that potential would require sustained investment in skills, data infrastructure and governance. “Leadership in AI is not just about technology,” one policy expert noted. “It is about long-term strategy, regulation and human capital.”
As the summit concluded, organisers and government officials described the event as a foundation rather than a finish line. “Hosting AI Everything MEA is a clear signal of intent,” an official involved in the programme said. “Our focus now is on translating this momentum into partnerships, investments and real-world deployments.”
With the successful staging of the AI Everything MEA Summit, Egypt has sent a strong message about its aspirations to become a regional AI innovation hub, positioning Cairo as a focal point for future collaboration and technological advancement across Africa and the Middle East.
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