President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, inaugurated Egypt’s first government data and cloud computing centre. Also known as a data hub, the centre is Egypt’s commitment to advancements it aims to make in information technology.
In his speech, the Minister of Information Technology said the new data hub will serve as the central repository for all ministry data. The minister added it will be fortified against all unauthorised access and cyber threats.
The president added that the state has spent billions of dollars in ensuring an integrated infrastructure, and this launch is a step forward in Egypt’s technological progress. This centre will also drive the integration of AI technology across all government operations by offering AI and data analysis applications for decision-making at all levels.
The centre will drive the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology across government operations by offering AI and data analysis applications for decision-making at every level.
President El-Sisi stressed the necessity of strong infrastructure investments, acknowledging the significant costs incurred for the centre’s establishment, and emphasizing its pivotal role in propelling Egypt towards comprehensive modernization in an ever-evolving global landscape.
It will also function as a centralized national data and disaster recovery centre, ensuring self-management, operational efficiency, and privacy for critical projects like smart ports, and streamlining import and export processes.
The centre, situated along the Ain Sokhna highway, spans over 23,500 square metres. Over 10,000 square metres are designated for current infrastructure, with the remaining reserved for future expansions.
During his speech on Sunday, he also highlighted that Egypt must benefit from its strategic location, particularly as around 90 per cent of the world’s submarine cables pass through Egypt, making it a major hub for data transmission and communications. Egypt is second only to the US regarding the number of submarine cables crossing the country.
The president also emphasized the importance of preparing an integrated infrastructure to preserve Egypt’s status as a major hub for transferring data between the East and the West.
Highlighting Egypt’s strategic position as a key data transfer hub, El-Sisi underscored the importance of localizing data storage within the country, a significant shift from past reliance on costly foreign storage solutions.
