Cairo:Egypt's Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Mohamed Farid Saleh, has announced a collaborative effort to attract data center investments to the country. The Ministry, in coordination with the Ministries of Communications and Information Technology and Electricity and Renewable Energy, is preparing an integrated investment package aimed at accelerating project implementation and streamlining procedures for investors.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the proposed package will involve identifying suitable land and securing necessary approvals and licenses. Farid shared these details during a ministerial session at the Cairo International Technology Exhibition and Conference (Cairo ICT), which also included discussions on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation to enhance government services and attract technology investments.
Farid emphasized the Ministry's commitment to the digitalization of services for investors and exporters, in line with recommendations from the Egypt Forum 2026. This initiative aims to eliminate the need for companies to travel between governorates for document submission and government procedures. The digitalization efforts will include agencies such as the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC), and the Export Development Fund (EDF).
The Minister also highlighted coordination with the Ministry of Finance to enhance oversight of free zones using AI and technology, improve monitoring at entry ports, and analyze trade data. Additionally, plans to launch the Trade Technology Regulatory Sandbox (Trade Sandbox) were announced, which will support companies in developing technological solutions for exporters.
Farid underscored the importance of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and providing technological tools to access international markets. He noted that a significant portion of Egyptian exports is concentrated among a few companies, indicating a need to broaden the exporter base.
Furthermore, he discussed the requirements for attracting data center investments, such as providing technological infrastructure and establishing flexible regulatory frameworks. He affirmed that the Investment Law supports this by providing a legal basis for issuing licenses and approvals, thereby facilitating quicker commencement of operations. The integration among ministries and leveraging the national AI strategy are crucial for enhancing Egypt's economic competitiveness and attracting further investments.