The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) has signed three protocols of cooperation with three civil society organizations (CSOs) specializing in ICT. This comes in line with the strategy of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) for growing and developing the IT industry in Egypt, in cooperation with the private sector.

Pursuant to the three-year protocols, ITIDA will provide administrative, technical and financial support, at an estimated budget of EGP 50 million, to the CSOs, namely the Chamber of Information Technology and Telecommunication (CIT), the Egyptian Information, Telecommunications, Electronics and Software Alliance (EITESAL), and the Digital Economy and Technology General Division (DETGD) of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC).

The protocols were thoroughly reviewed and amended, and participatory frameworks between the parties were developed to achieve productive cooperation, thus helping implement ITIDA strategy and intertwine roles to design and carry out development programs and initiatives to meet the industry needs.

ITIDA, according to the protocol, will support the organizational development of DETGD member companies, and the program for building the capacities and competencies of the Egyptian IT CSOs. ITIDA will also carry out capacity-building, training and international activities, business missions, studies and consultancy services. This is in addition to meeting the local demand, raising the efficiency of Egyptian companies and undertaking organizational sustainability activities, such as developing membership, mobilizing, and supporting policies and activities of committees and working groups.

Furthermore, phase one of Tawteen initiative will be launched in collaboration between ITIDA and banks in Egypt, including Banque Misr and Qatar National Bank (QNB). The aim is to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to leverage digital transformation, create non-traditional jobs and open new markets for SMEs and entrepreneurs.

For its part, EITESAL will work along with ITDA to boost the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Cairo, South Valley, Delta and Alexandria, through incubating young people’s innovative ideas in EITESAL Business Nurturing Initiative (EBNI) incubator.

This is in addition to cooperating through Borg Al Arab Innovation Cluster, which is supported by ITIDA and the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC).