Ashraf AboArafe
The India-Africa ICT Expo concluded successfully in Cairo on April 7, 2025, after a two-day event (April 6-7, 2025) that featured many active and fruitful discussions. The event was organized by the Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council of India (TEPC), in partnership with the Indian Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the Embassy of India in Cairo, and the Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). The event saw significant participation from 40 Indian and ten Egyptian companies, as well as delegations from African countries, with the aim of supporting continental cooperation in the areas of innovation related to ICT.
2- The exhibition was inaugurated by Her Excellency Mrs. C. Sushma, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of India in Egypt, and Eng. Mahmoud Safratah, Head of the ICT Market Development Sector. Ms. Sushma delivered a special address at the event, emphasizing “the ongoing partnership between India and Africa, which is based on achieving mutual progress through technology and innovation.”
3. The event also featured keynote speeches. In his address, the Deputy Director General of the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between Indian and Egyptian private sector companies in the ICT sector. Engineer Safrata of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) highlighted the importance of sustainable digital infrastructure for Africa’s growth. Dr. Tamer Taha, Advisor to the Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Head of the Private Sector Engagement Unit, highlighted the growth of startups in Egypt, noting a 20% increase in investments and regulatory reforms under Vision 2030.
4. Five panel discussions were held over the two days on topics of mutual interest, such as the impact of 5G technology and the adoption of future technologies, the use of artificial intelligence in telecom networks, the startup ecosystem in Egypt, digital transformation, and technology cooperation between India and Africa. Representatives of Indian companies, the Government of India, the Government of Egypt, and representatives of Egyptian companies participated in these discussion sessions.
5. The exhibition emerged as a key platform for promoting digital cooperation between India and Africa. Key outcomes included numerous meetings between private companies and government entities, as well as live demonstrations of 5G deployment solutions, AI-based cybersecurity tools, smart city technologies, and fintech platforms. Several Indian startups in the cyberspace and IT-based solutions sector also participated.
6. The support provided to the event by the Egyptian Businessmen Association (EBA), the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), Smart Africa Foundation, companies such as Resecurity and Tejas Networks, and the Government of India’s Communication Technology Development Centre were greatly appreciated.
7. The exhibition emphasized India’s commitment to partnering in Africa’s digital transformation through knowledge sharing and scalable infrastructure solutions. With India boasting the world’s second-largest telecom network, participating Indian companies showcased their expertise in providing cost-effective and scalable technologies, aligning with Egypt’s and African countries’ priorities for comprehensive digital transformation.
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