27th Edition of Cairo ICT Kicks Off at Egypt International Exhibition Center

The 27th edition of Cairo ICT, the International Technology Exhibition and Conference for the Middle East and Africa commenced in grand style at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo.

The event, organized by Trade Fairs International, promises to set new benchmarks in showcasing technological advancements and fostering innovation.

Spanning four days, Cairo ICT 2023 has attracted the participation of five Egyptian ministries, including Education, Health, Higher Education, Justice, and Communications and Information Technology.

More than 400 international and local companies are also participating, along with 200 speakers.

At the forefront of Cairo ICT 2023's agenda are cutting-edge discussions on cybersecurity, with a focus on combating emerging threats in 2024. Experts will delve into the resilience of financial institutions when faced with ransomware attacks and incident response strategies.

The transformative potential of artificial intelligence in banking cybersecurity will also take centre stage, alongside discussions on electronic signatures and digital transformations.

Furthermore, the future of satellite communications, the impact of fifth-generation communications on smart cities, and other groundbreaking topics will captivate attendees throughout the conference.

Osama Kamal, Chairperson of Trade Fairs International, emphasized that Cairo ICT 2023 will see the launch of groundbreaking projects and investments in the Egyptian market.

Notable among these are the Emirati company Khazna and the Kuwaiti company Hayat, both poised to make significant forays into Egypt's satellite sector.

Kamal also highlighted that the exhibition will cement Egypt's position as a regional technology hub.

Cairo ICT 2023 has expanded its international participation, with China leading the charge. Chinese companies and organizations will be featured in three expansive pavilions.

Egyptian youth: the future of the digital economy Following the opening of the event, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly toured six international outsourcing companies operating in Egypt and expressed his appreciation for all those working in this sector.

Speaking to reporters, Madbouly said that the future of the IT sector "reaches the sky," emphasizing that the Egyptian youth are a pillar of this sector's future.

"Our young engineers and experts working there are responsible for developing software for the automotive, aircraft, and cybersecurity industries," he noted.

During the tour, Madbouly stressed that President El-Sisi attaches great importance to the communications and IT sector in Egypt.

During Cairo ICT 2023, Ayman Hussein, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), shared news about the remarkable success of the InstaPay app.

In a mere year and a half, this pioneering mobile application, licensed by the CBE as a payment service provider via the National Instant Payment Network, has registered 6.2 million users.

InstaPay empowers clients to seamlessly process electronic fund transfers instantly.

Highlighting Egypt's strides in financial inclusivity, the CBE recently released data showing a 5.4 percent increase in the financial inclusion rate during the first half of 2023, reaching an impressive 67.3 percent.

In parallel with Cairo ICT, two other events will unfold under the auspices of the CBE.

The tenth edition of the International Exhibition and Conference on Digital Payments and Digital Inclusion for the Middle East and Africa (PAFIX) promises to showcase new advancements in the realm of digital payments.

Simultaneously, the eighth edition of the Innovation Arena and Innovation Forum will bring together pioneering technologists to push the boundaries of innovation.