Arab Republic of Egypt

WSIS+10 OVERALL REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WSIS OUTCOMES WSIS+10 Overall Review of the Implementation of the WSIS Outcomes

Profiles of Progress

For more information on Egypt’s initiatives and programs, please refer to Profiles of Progress, which you will find on the accompanying USB flash drive, or scan the QR code to access the online version.

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS A Decade of Achievement 4 84 106 Egypt and the WSIS: Achieving WSIS Targets: Meeting the Challenges 10 Years On Indicators of ICT for Development: Funding Mechanisms 6 81 109 111 Reporting on the 11 WSIS Action Lines: The Way Forward and A Brief Look at the the Vision Beyond 2015 National ICT Strategy for WSIS Action Line C1: 6 WSIS Action Line C6: 34 2014-2021 The Role of Governance Enabling Environment Authorities and All WSIS Action Line C7: 42 Stakeholders in the Promotion ICT Applications: Benefits in of ICTs for Development All Aspects of Life WSIS Action Line C2: 10 WSIS Action Line C8: 60 Information and Cultural Diversity and Communication Infrastructure Identity, Linguistic Diversity WSIS Action Line C3: 18 and Local Content Access to Information and WSIS Action Line C9: 66 Knowledge Media WSIS Action Line C4: 22 WSIS Action Line C10: 72 Capacity Building Ethical Dimensions of the 112 115 Information Society WSIS Action Line C5: 28 Building Confidence and WSIS Action Line C11: 76 Annex I: Abbreviations Annex II: References Security in the Use of ICTs nternational and Regional Cooperation

2 3 A Decade of Achievement

Egypt’s belief in and commitment to the WSIS outcomes is reflected in a long line of national strategies, from the pre-WSIS National Communications Strategy of 2000, through the Information Society Strategy of 2003, the Outsourcing Strategy of 2006, the ICT National Strategy of 2007, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Strategy of 2010, and the Broadband Strategy of 2011, to the Digital Society Strategy for 2014-18, which addresses the 11 Action Lines through hundreds of projects. Echoing the multistakeholder nature of the WSIS process through the forging of public-private partnerships, implementation of the WSIS Action Lines in Egypt has involved the major players in the ICT and other relevant sectors. Our focus during the past 10 years has been on the main pillars of ICT sector development – policy, infrastructure, industry development, improving citizens’ quality of life, and innovation and entrepreneurship. In the area of policy, for example, we set legislation and regulations to foster an enabling and fair environment for business. For infrastructure, we opened the way for the large-scale rollout of broadband, while for citizens across Egypt we sought to make personal computers available at affordable prices. Recognizing the importance of the investment environment, we established the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) as the executive IT arm of MCIT, charged with spearheading the process of developing the IT sector and engaging the private sector. Capacity building, meanwhile, has been a cross-cutting theme, providing technical training to undergraduates and postgraduates as well as supporting creativity. A number of our efforts have received international recognition at the highest level. Egypt was awarded the 2008 UNESCO Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education; the UN’s World Summit Award for its ICT for Illiteracy Eradication project in 2009; the 2010 Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND) International Prize for Pioneering Human Development Projects for the integrated program to develop Siwa oasis using Egypt and the WSIS: 10 Years On ICTs; the No. 4 ranking in the A.T. Kearney Global Services Location Index for 2011; and first prize in the social network category at the Seventh Arab e-Content Awards, in 2011, for the Kenana Online community A Message from the Minister development web portal. Today we can confidently say that we have democratized the sector. ICTs now play a part in most citizens’ daily lives, be that for communication, work, business, access to public services such as education, health and e-government, or entertainment. At the same time, the Egyptian population and local NGOs are It is my pleasure to present Egypt’s WSIS+10 report, which highlights the achievements Egypt has made in driving growth in the ICT sector, pushing for continued reform of its legal ecosystem and sharing in the building an information society over the last decade, and in particular since the launch of the second phase making of key decisions through open consultations. of the World Summit on the Information Society. As we move forward, our target is to make greater use of ICTs, drawing on their wide popular appeal, For the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the WSIS represents more than a to hasten the development of Egypt’s information society and the achievement of the Millennium global process. The WSIS preparatory process and follow-up phases echoed to a large extent the establishment, Development Goals. development and consolidation of MCIT, which was established just four years earlier, in 1999. This review provides a record of our efforts to build a digital society over the 10 years of the WSIS process. The WSIS has been and remains a reference point for us in choosing our direction and forming our agenda. An additional document, Profiles of Progress, showcases Egypt’s main ICT-related initiatives, programs and WSIS debates have contributed to shaping our policies, informed our decision-makers, and helped us revisit projects over this period. our mandates and develop our strategies and priorities.

Today, when we look at the different action lines of the WSIS outcomes, we note with pride a significant Atef Helmy improvement in our indicators as we have moved steadily towards the achievement of WSIS targets – as the contents of this document testify. Minister of Communications and Information Technology By way of example, indicators relating to Egypt’s internet sector have risen dramatically over the last decade as a result of government policies to reduce internet access prices and to promote broadband, USB modems and mobile internet. The impact of political change in the country has also drawn large numbers of Egyptians to social media platforms, while the National Broadband Strategy will further increase internet /atfHlmyAtefHelmy @atef_helmy_ /EgyptICTMinister usage.

4 5 A Decade of Achievement

In Egypt, the impact of ICTs has come to be felt in all spheres of life, and the ICT sector is now a principal component of the national economy, a catalyst for greater efficiency and performance across all sectors, and a key driver of development. A major factor in this progress has been the government’s desire to involve all stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of ICT-related policy, strategies and initiatives. This approach aims to ensure the successful implementation of projects and initiatives in all fields and to develop the information society at the national and international levels. On the global level, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), established in 2000 by the United Nations Millennium Declaration, seek to promote development leading to the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, and to achieve various targets relating to health, education and environmental sustainability. Goal 8, which calls on stakeholders to develop a global partnership for development, requests that governments “in cooperation with the private sector, make available benefits of new technologies, especially information and WSIS Action Line C1 communications.” The Role of Governance Authorities and All Stakeholders in the Promotion of ICTs for Development

The Egyptian government recognizes that ICTs promote development, facilitate the provision of government, education and healthcare services to individuals, and ensure that relevant support reaches those in need. In line with national efforts related to the achievement of the MDGs, MCIT endeavours to support the attainment of MDG targets through its various strategies and initiatives. Since its establishment in 1999, MCIT has taken a holistic and inclusive approach to its work, which requires broad cooperation and partnership with relevant stakeholders, including through open consultations and public-private partnerships (PPPs). In this context, MCIT relies on multistakeholder committees – which it has established to address issues including ICT strategy, legislation, digital society, green ICT, open standards, e-content and cloud computing – to ensure that strategies and programs are formulated based on relevant expertise, target actual needs, and utilize available resources, be they public or private, in the most effective manner.

7 A Decade of Achievement

high-speed internet across all sectors of society. The financing and deploying ICT-related innovation, as growth, create jobs and strengthen the role of ICT in Millennium Declaration calls for good governance well as human resource development and capacity governance. and requires governments to ensure the right of the building. This supports national efforts to enhance the public to have access to information. These strategies competitiveness of Egypt’s exports and attract foreign The Egyptian government takes seriously its role supported good governance, connecting government direct investment (FDI). It also aims to improve the as a driver and focal point of multistakeholder authorities with citizens and enhancing public service international competitiveness of existing exporters, activities related to the promotion and use of ICTs for Multistakeholder provision, particularly in education and healthcare, and companies with export potential, to enable them development. In this context, MCIT strives to combine and facilitated public access to information. to manage market-led development, production the efforts of government, the public and private Multistakeholder and sales of products and services suited to target sectors, academia and civil society, among other The National ICT Strategy of 2007, which sought to segments of selected export markets. Ultimately, this stakeholders, in all activities related to the spread of restructure Egypt’s ICT sector, led to considerable should result in improved export capability, penetration ICTs and their application in the development process sectoral growth, due largely to the activity of the of new markets and increased market share in existing on the national, regional and international levels. private sector. Rather than relying on subsidies export markets, all of which create employment. and grants, the sector was generating revenue and contributing significantly to the national economy. The aims of this strategy are supported by the Multistakeholder committees are particularly effective From 2003 to 2010, the sector provided the treasury Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center “Indicators related to this Action Line can be found in in activities that span more than one sector, which is with approximately EGP 71 billion from licenses, sales, (TIEC), which was established in 2010 to drive the Achieving WSIS Targets: Indicators and Additional usually the case in information and communication tariffs and dividends. innovation and entrepreneurship in ICT for the benefit Indicators sections, where they are color-coded for technology for development (ICT4D) projects, where of the national economy. convenience.” they ensure the involvement of all relevant entities and their engagement in the implementation process, Over the last seven years, EGP 30 billion was invested For more information on Egypt’s initiatives and which is particularly important in large-scale projects. in the Egyptian ICT sector, contributing to sector growth programs related to this Action Line, please refer The multistakeholder committee mechanism can be of 700%. As a result of MCIT’s determined efforts over to Profiles of Progress, which you will find on supported when necessary by open consultations or the last decade, Egypt is now in a position to maintain the accompanying USB flash drive, or scan the QR dialogues that allow for the input of representatives a powerful export-oriented technology industry that will create jobs for young people, boost national code to access the online version. from the private sector, academia and the media, The Millennium Declaration sees a role for ICTs in development, and improve education, healthcare and among others, either online or in person. This approach, enterprise development and the eradication of other public services. which was applied, for example, in the process of poverty through job creation. Egypt’s ICT Strategy for amending the Telecommunication Regulation Law of 2007-10 sought to create jobs through local, regional Despite the challenges of the transition period ushered 2003 following the January 2011 Revolution, promotes and global partnerships supporting human capacity in by the January 2011 Revolution, which had a major both societal involvement and transparency. development, innovation and industry development, impact on the Egyptian economy, the ICT sector and the establishment of technology parks such as The role of governments is vital to the adoption of ICTs has continued to flourish. In 2011-12, the ICT sector Smart Village. The strategy also focused on ICT4D and their use for development. In Egypt, progress in this generated EGP 65 billion in revenue and contributed activities, particularly in education and healthcare. field stems largely from the technical and institutional EGP 48 billion to gross domestic product (GDP), representing 3.2% of total GDP. The ICT sector also boom set in motion by the government in 1999. The Seeking to harness the potential of ICTs to create continued to grow and to create jobs, with a 41% rise newly established Ministry of Communications and employment and boost the national economy, MCIT from 2010 to 2011 in the number of people employed Information Technology set out, through the National has made strident efforts to develop Egypt as a leading by international ICT companies in Egypt and an 18% Communications Strategy of 2000, to establish a business process outsourcing (BPO) destination. rise in those employed by local companies. vibrant and open ICT sector; ensure wide access to Egypt’s achievements in this field are clearly reflected high-speed internet through solid infrastructure; build in management consulting firm A.T. Kearney’s Global One of the major challenges the government faces the capacity necessary to enable citizens, institutions Services Location Index, which analyzes and ranks the in reaching out to all segments of the population and businesses to use and adapt ICTs to serve their top 50 countries worldwide as the best destinations for is expanding ICT infrastructure outside of major interests and those of the community; support providing outsourcing activities, including IT services urban areas to close gaps in internet access and development for the wider economy; boost national and support, contact centers and back-office support. support ICT4D activities. MCIT is addressing this issue economic performance; attract investment; and create Egypt was ranked No. 12 in 2005, No. 13 in 2007, No. through the e-Misr National Broadband Plan, which jobs. 6 in 2009 and No. 4 in 2011. was launched by the National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) in November 2011. The MCIT’s national ICT strategies of 2003 and 2005 sought The Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship plan focuses on extending the geographic coverage of to develop Egypt’s information society by expanding Strategy for 2011-14 was devised to build Egypt’s broadband infrastructure and increasing the uptake of and modernizing ICT infrastructure, and to reduce brand as a regional hub for innovation, and engage broadband internet subscription to support sustainable the digital divide by improving access to ICTs and diverse stakeholders in generating, supporting,

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“The internet explosion” that occurred in Egypt following the January 2011 revolution put the telecom sector under close scrutiny by the citizenry and presents the government with unprecedented demands as well as new opportunities. It could be said that Egyptians’ expectations from ICTs require the formulation of a new approach to telecom development in Egypt. Vital to any such development, of course, is solid infrastructure. ICT infrastructure is by far one of the most vital components of a truly integrated digital society, and as such it requires serious attention from policymakers, as well as considerable investment. Concentration on this area began in Egypt in 1987, when digital telephone exchanges were first installed by Telecom Egypt. By 2014, ICT infrastructure was serving all major populated areas of the country – which spans over 1 million square kilometers – albeit with varying levels of quality and speed. The government has worked to consolidate ICT infrastructure in Egypt in cooperation with stakeholders from all relevant sectors. The steps taken reflect to a large extent principal areas of focus of the WSIS, including: fostering government policies to support an enabling and competitive environment for ICT; adopting universal access policies and strategies; WSIS Action Line C2 providing and improving ICT connectivity in public institutions; developing and strengthening ICT backbones and broadband infrastructure, including satellite and wireless delivery systems Information and Communication Infrastructure and internet exchange points; developing affordable global connectivity through commercially negotiated internet transit and interconnection costs; addressing issues of accessibility and affordability for marginalized populations; and promoting the development and use of technological convergence. Government policies to support an enabling and competitive environment for ICT: Over the last 10 years, Egypt’s efforts to develop policy in support of an enabling and competitive environment for ICT have been numerous. One of the most important steps came in 2003, when the National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) was established, in accordance with the provisions of the Telecommunication Regulation Law (Law No. 10 of 2003), to administer the telecommunications sector, considering transparency, open competition, universal service and protection of users’ rights.

11 A Decade of Achievement

In November 2005, the government launched an initial public offering of 20% of Telecom Egypt’s existing share capital following the company’s conversion to a joint stock company. The offering, which served to fulfill commitments to the General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATS), was massively oversubscribed. In 2006, the NTRA removed Telecom Egypt’s monopoly over domestic and international telephone services and invited local and international consortia to bid for a second fixed-line operator license in 2008. However, due to the global financial crisis, the process was put on hold. In 2006, a third mobile operator, Etisalat, began operations in Egypt after signing its mobile license in August 2006. The following year, the NTRA granted 3G licenses to the two other mobile operators, Mobinil and Vodafone Egypt, whose 3G networks attracted significant investment, reflecting the interest of international operators in the Egyptian market and the potential for broadband services. The market entrance of the third operator was accompanied by several regulations to allow it to integrate seamlessly in the market. These regulations included the introduction of mobile number portability (MNP), which allows mobile phone users to retain their existing telephone numbers when changing from one Universal access policies and strategies have proved challenging in Egypt network operator to another. To facilitate the process, the NTRA established the Mobile Number Portability due to the size of the country, geo-cultural and economic diversity, and Working Group (MNP-WG) comprised of representatives from the NTRA and the mobile network operators population dispersal, as well as differences in infrastructure preparedness. to ascertain the most effective means for MNP implementation. MNP elicited more competition in the To ensure that all citizens have affordable access to ICT-related services, mobile market and better customer care and quality of service. MCIT has undertaken a range of initiatives targeting different segments Given the importance of managing limited resources, the NTRA has led the management of numbering of the population with a view to realizing a mass uptake of ICT use that – through the National Numbering Plan, which stipulates numbering rules for fixed, mobile and special will improve citizens’ quality of life and raise the competitiveness of services – and usage of the frequency spectrum. The NTRA’s frequency spectrum usage plan, which conforms Egyptian youth in the global market. to the provisions of the Telecommunication Regulation Law of 2003 and the regulations of the International In January 2002, MCIT launched the Free Internet initiative, providing Telecommunication Union (ITU), aims to ensure the achievement of optimum revenues and investment. internet access charged at the same rate as local phone calls. The Under the plan, the NTRA monitors spectrum usage to ensure users abide by the conditions of their licenses initiative was based on a subscription-free internet connectivity model, and to detect any unlicensed use, and also coordinates with other countries to avoid frequency interference. where licensed internet service providers (ISPs) established points of The NTRA also introduced regulation for infrastructure sharing by mobile operators in order to decrease presence (PoPs) at local exchanges run by Telecom Egypt. The public network deployment costs and raise operator efficiency. switched telephone network (PSTN) routed Free Internet calls, allocated prefix codes 0707 and 0777, automatically to the ISP access infrastructure In recognition of Egypt’s success in guiding mobile communications policy and regulation, the GSM present within exchanges, with revenue generated shared between Association (GSMA), the global professional body for the mobile industry, awarded Egypt its Government Telecom Egypt and the ISPs on a 70/30 basis. By September 2002, the Leadership Award in 2008. initiative was extended to cover the whole country. In 2012, the NTRA proposed the launch of a unified licensing regime, which will enable both existing In April 2002, shortly after the launch of the Free Internet initiative, the operators and new entrants to offer a multitude of services through a variety of technologies. This regime NTRA introduced local loop unbundling. This allowed ISPs to share the will place all operators on an equal footing and eliminate any market distortions resulting from historical local loop with Telecom Egypt to provide broadband internet services monopolies. Traditionally, telecom regulation has provided separate licensing regimes for different services, using asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) technology, while such as fixed line, mobile, internet, etc. With the evolution of technology and market applications, and Telecom Egypt maintained rights over voice services. This important step most significantly the developments in internet and mobile technologies, the distinctions traditionally paved the way for the spread of broadband services. applied between services are blurring and the same technology can now be used to offer more than one type of service. As this trend is likely to continue, the creation of a regulatory regime that is technology- A number of initiatives have been implemented to decrease internet and service-neutral is the most effective way to ensure the development of a dynamic market. The first subscription prices. In September 2004, the first broadband initiative phase of the proposed transition would provide a period of exclusivity for Telecom Egypt and the three reduced subscription costs for a basic 256 Kbps package by 50% to EGP existing mobile service providers to allow them to develop a fully integrated range of fixed, mobile and 150/month.In July 2006, the price for such a package was lowered by data services. 36% to EGP 95/month, and in September 2007 the price was halved to EGP 45/month with limited download capability of 2Gbytes per month. The government has also sought to support the ICT market and attract investment through the creation of In August 2009, the NTRA regulated base prices for unlimited packages, technology parks. Efforts in this regard include the establishment of Smart Villages Company in 2000 as a leaving space for competition between service providers. These measures public-private partnership to build and manage a branded chain of technology clusters and business parks, promoted competition in the fixed broadband market, and consumers and the establishment of the Cairo Contact Centers Park. A number of new technology parks are in the are now able to choose from a variety of packages offering limited or process of being set up and a second Smart Village is to be built in Damietta. unlimited access at speeds ranging from 256 Kbps to 48 Mbps.

12 13 A Decade of Achievement

In 2011, as a result of efforts by MCIT and partners, basic telephone services were readily available to all citizens. In November 2011, MCIT launched the eMisr National Broadband Plan to increase broadband internet penetration The NTRA authorized new landline tariffs at the request of Telecom Egypt to make landlines more accessible and in Egypt and promote the development of a digital society. The multidimensional plan has the key strategic affordable. The fee for installation of a new landline was reduced by 50% for both home and commercial use; objectives of positioning Egypt as a frontrunner in digital communications; stimulating economic growth, social tariffs for calls between landlines and mobile phones were reduced by 33%; and peak-time paging service fees cohesion and job creation; supporting the use of ICTs across government sectors to improve quality of life for were reduced by 20%. citizens; and minimizing the digital divide between urban and rural communities and different sectors of society. The Universal Service Fund (USF), established in March 2005, has also played an important role in closing gaps in The plan – developed by the NTRA in cooperation with relevant stakeholders, the World Bank and management ICT access between different areas of the country. The USF was established by the NTRA within the framework of consulting company Detecon International – is based on three axes: expanding geographic coverage of broadband the Egyptian Information Society Initiative with an initial budget of EGP 50 million. The universal service policy services; increasing broadband penetration rates; and providing citizens in underserved areas with high-speed guarantees access to telecommunication services to all citizens at affordable prices, ensures free competition internet access. More specifically, the plan aims to achieve: and non-monopolistic practices, enhances use of modern technologies to expand the scope of services provided, and promotes political, economic and cultural development, thereby supporting economic growth. The USF mechanism is explained in the chapter on funding mechanisms. Geographic coverage for fixed internet services for 75% of Egyptian households at 2 Mbps by 2016, and 90% of households at 25 Mbps by 2021 4.5 million households, approximately 22% of Egyptian households, subscribing to high-speed internet services by 2016, and 9 million households by 2021; and 8 million subscribers to mobile internet services by 2016 and 14 million subscribers by 2021 50% of government agencies connected to the internet at 25 Mbps and at least one public access point at 25 Mbps serving 50% of localities by 2016, and all government agencies connected to the internet at 25 Mbps and one public access point serving all major areas by 2021

ICT connectivity in public institutions: As the main auditing and monitoring the management of public source of public services in Egypt, the government sector companies, government departments and other ICT backbones and broadband infrastructure, including satellite and wireless delivery systems and internet has made concerted efforts to integrate ICTs in its entities; the Mortgage Finance Fund; and the Institute exchange points: Seeking to capitalize on its position at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and Asia, Egypt has work processes in order to improve the efficiency, of National Planning. participated in numerous international connectivity projects over the last decade, the benefits of which include quality and delivery of its service offerings. MCIT, enhanced connectivity, local investment and job creation. in coordination with the Ministry of State for Key initiatives to integrate ICTs in education include Administrative Development (MSAD), has worked the Egyptian Education Initiative (EEI), established to Egypt is currently served by a number of international submarine cables, some of which include terrestrial to transform the public service sector by installing, reform Egypt’s education system as a whole, and ICT sections passing across the country: maintaining and developing ICT infrastructure in a integration for vocational schools. As a result of such range of public institutions, including government schemes, the proportion of government schools with ministries and authorities, schools and hospitals. These internet connectivity increased from 66% in 2010 to efforts include the provision of computers, software 72% in 2011, while for private schools connectivity Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) Europe Asia (FEA), operational since 1997 and licenses; the establishment of data centers, local rates rose from 84% in 2010 to 98% in 2011. area networks and secure connection lines; and the The government is in the process of establishing a South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 3 (SEA-ME-WE 3), operational since 2000 development of information systems, databases and cloud to enhance ICT efficiency in the government SEA-ME-WE 4, operational since 2005 other decision-making support tools. apparatus and facilitate the storage, management These infrastructure development projects have and analysis of information. The cloud will provide FLAG Alcatel-Lucent Optical Network (FALCON), operational since 2006 provided support for environmental monitoring units computing processing power, storage facilities, India-Middle East-Western Europe (I-ME-WE), operational since 2009 in Cairo as well as a long list of entities that includes: network bandwidth and access to software; and promote software development and the use of testing, the Central Agency for Organization and Administration Europe India Gateway (EIG), operational since 2010 (CAOA), which has responsibility for administrative security and identity verification measures over the reform in the government sector; the Central Auditing internet. MCIT views cloud computing, data centers Telecom Egypt (TE) North (TEN), operational since 2010 Organization (CAO), responsible for public sector and integrated solutions as areas of priority action.

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The Technology Homes initiative is the first stage in the creation of a “Technology Corridor of Egypt” – a virtual corridor that will extend across all governorates, including marginalized and underserved areas, with the aim of developing a society of knowledge and technology innovation. Technology Homes are connected through an electronic network, allowing communities to support each other in finding creative solutions to the challenges they face. Such exchange of information and experience is part of the process of building a knowledge society, and will also raise the profile of Egypt in the global knowledge community. The Mobile IT Clubs project provides rural and remote communities with access to ICTs and related training with the aim of raising computer literacy levels, promoting use of computers and the internet, and closing the digital divide between these areas and Egypt’s urban centers. The mobile units consist of a fleet of buses and caravans equipped with computer labs and satellite internet connections that tour remote and underserved areas to raise awareness of ICTs and introduce basic computer skills. The eMisr National Broadband Plan includes measures to expand the geographical coverage of broadband infrastructure and increase ICT accessibility and affordability for marginalized and underserved communities. These and other initiatives, including the Free Internet and PC for Every Home initiatives, have resulted in increased internet use among different social sectors and in all regions of the country. The proportion of localities with public internet access centers (PIACs) rose from 37% at the end of 2007 to 53% by the end of 2011. The proportion of Egyptian households using the internet at home increased from 18.59% in 2007 to 44.24% by December 2012. The number of internet users jumped from 0.65 million in 2000 to 12.57 million in 2008, while internet penetration rose from 1.01% to 16.68%. In the mobile market, competition between three providers led to a decrease in prices. Based on the World Bank price basket methodology, the monthly cost for low use of mobile services in Egypt decreased from USD 4.57 in Q4 2007 to USD 3.62 in Q4 2008, and to USD 2.90 in 2010. Promoting the development and use of technological convergence: A particular focus of MCIT is the promotion of converged technologies, specifically the delivery of voice, data and video services over the same wired, wireless or fiber-optic connections.

Following the NTRA’s award of a contract in 2007 to Middle East and North Africa Submarine Cable Systems, the In response to growing demand for high-level connectivity in gated communities in the suburbs of Cairo, and to Orascom Telecom subsidiary is working on a project with investment of over USD 200 million to develop, build increase the reach of fiber-optic networks, the NTRA issued two licenses, one in 2009 and one in 2010, to install and operate a submarine telecommunications system connecting Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia. and operate converged telecommunication networks and services in gated communities with less than 10,000 housing units. The licenses allow for the provision of converged services, thereby promoting higher speed Additionally, Egypt is connected to Intelsat and ArabSat satellites, and maintains a microwave connection with internet and content development and also increasing competition in the market, which will benefit end users in the Arab East via Jordan. the form of better prices and improved services. Service offerings include triple play, which provides high-speed internet, television and telephone services over a single broadband connection. Egypt’s national information network covers the majority of the country through 44 sites with speeds of up to 2 Mbps. In 2002, MCIT established the Cairo Internet Exchange Point (CAIX) to connect all Class A and B ISPs in In 2011, Telecom Egypt began rollout of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) architecture in the Cairo suburb of Qattamiya. Egypt and allow them to exchange local traffic domestically and save their international bandwidth. Now run This enables the company to provide new and integrated services catering to the current and future needs of by the NTRA, CAIX supports IPv4 and IPv6 traffic. Traffic through the exchange grew from 200 Kbps in 2002 to residential and business customers through fixed networks. Convergence is further explored in the section on 1.2 Gbps in 2013. In 2006, the NTRA granted a license for global peering, which gives the licensee the right to Action Line C9. build and operate the infrastructure necessary to connect between Class A licensees, Class B licensees, electronic content providers, domain name providers and data centers. Recognizing the importance of information and communication infrastructure to the growth of a digital society, the government is actively working, through the eMisr National Broadband Plan and other initiatives, to ensure Efforts to improve connectivity for end users include Telecom Egypt’s introduction of fiber-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) that Egypt has in place the infrastructure necessary to ensure citizens have easy and affordable access to high- network architecture, which improves last mile telecommunications through use of fiber in the local loop, and quality connectivity and the latest technologies and services. the establishment of a fiber-optic backbone network that now runs the length of the country along the Nile. Accessibility and affordability for marginalized populations: MCIT has undertaken various initiatives to make ICTs “Indicators related to this Action Line can be found in the Achieving WSIS Targets: Indicators and Additional more accessible and affordable for marginalized communities. Indicators sections, where they are color-coded for convenience.” In 2011, MCIT launched an initiative to convert a number of the national network of IT Clubs which was launched in 2000 – of which there were more than 2,000 at the end of 2010 – into Technology Homes, which function as For more information on Egypt’s initiatives and programs related to this Action Line, please ICT-led community service centers. The initiative was created to build on the success of IT Clubs by expanding refer to Profiles of Progress, which you will find on the accompanying USB flash drive, or their scope as a means to elevate levels of ICT knowledge as Egypt transitions to a knowledge-based society. scan the QR code to access the online version.

16 17 A Decade of Achievement

ICTs allow easy and often instantaneous access to information and knowledge, for which reason individuals, organizations, companies and communities should have sufficient access and capacity to benefit from these resources. The Egyptian government has initiated various strategies and initiatives in this regard, which cover, among other areas, improving ICT access across all segments of society, including marginalized and disadvantaged communities; building relevant individual and institutional capacity; and developing public information resources and community access points. MCIT considers that effective access, providing real value for end-users, depends on the availability of four main elements: infrastructure and technology (see Action Line C2); relevant and useful content (see Action Line C8); access points; and capacity (see Action Line C4). MCIT has worked to develop the availability and strength of these elements through various policies, initiatives and projects designed to achieve the greatest level of effectiveness in light of challenges that include Egypt’s large area and high levels of illiteracy and income inequality. As technologies advance, they create new opportunities for the generation, use and WSIS Action Line C3 dissemination of information. MCIT, keen to ensure that Egypt capitalizes on such opportunities, promotes and supports efforts to develop innovative and cost-effective uses Access to Information and Knowledge for new technologies, and to merge them where appropriate with traditional platforms, to create useful new applications and services. Collaborative efforts in this field have facilitated the dissemination of public information on the national level; benefitted target segments of the community in need of up-to-date specialist information, and resulted in the development of applications providing real-time information of general interest for mobile devices, such as traffic applications. While proprietary software has dominated the Egyptian ICT scene for more than a decade, free and open-source software (FOSS) promotes creativity and innovation in means to increase access to information by promoting knowledge production through peer collaboration and community-based efforts. MCIT seeks to promote the development and use of FOSS in industry and government, and has established a multistakeholder committee, including representatives from government, academia and civil society, to formulate a national FOSS strategy. The strategy will cover legal and regulatory frameworks, education and capacity building, industry development and SME empowerment, security, infrastructure, change management and the establishment of an entity to coordinate national efforts through a clear roadmap.

19 A Decade of Achievement

MCIT also supports the creation and development of including marginalized and underserved communities. them through ICTs. It aims at removing barriers and of a laboratory for disabled students of computer open-access journals and books, and open archives facilitating opportunities for persons with disabilities science at Cairo University; the provision of software for scientific projects. Two of the main projects in In this context, MCIT’s IT Club project established a – using ICTs to develop their abilities and potential – that facilitates voting for persons with sight or hearing this regard are being undertaken by Bibliotheca nationwide network of multipurpose community and enabling them to enjoy their rights, fulfill their impairments; and the Reading Companion program, Alexandrina (BA) and the Egyptian National Library access points, which provide access to ICTs, the internet responsibilities, and participate fully in developing a web-based literacy grant initiative that uses voice and Archives, which have so far digitized more than and relevant training, and can be used by individuals, their communities and society. recognition technology to help children and adults 90 million documents. small businesses and local organizations. In 2011, learn how to read. MCIT launched an initiative to convert a number of IT The various tracks of the initiative include activities Another important area is the development of Clubs into Technology Homes, which function as ICT- related to: The Vodafone Egypt Foundation, established to support resources that provide public official information. In led community service centers. Technology Homes social change and improved living through the use Egypt, two of the earliest efforts in this regard were the offer a wide array of services for young people, adults of mobile technology for development, focuses on establishment of the Egyptian Government Services and those with special needs, including ICT training, The launch of an accessible web portal to enhance supporting national initiatives in the fields of illiteracy Portal in 2004 and the Ministry of Education (MoE) literacy and community learning programs, and health access, navigation and interaction on the eradication, children’s education and health. In 2013, website in 2007. Over the last 10 years, a growing education. The initiative is the first stage in the creation internet for persons with disabilities, facilitating Vodafone Egypt produced a sustainability report that number of Egyptian government ministries, authorities of a “Technology Corridor of Egypt” – a virtual corridor communication and integration, and providing includes a chapter on developing products and services and organizations have established websites providing that will extend across the country with the aim of information on disability-related issues and for customers with special needs. access to official information and public services. developing a society of knowledge and technology resources, including the government services innovation. available and assistive technologies The Support, Education and Training for Inclusion (SETI) In the realm of public domain information, the Center at Caritas Egypt, with the support of Microsoft Egypt ICT Trust Fund (ICT-TF), established to promote With the aim of reaching rural and remote communities Development of inclusive and special needs and Mobinil, has established an Arabic-language socioeconomic development through ICTs, has not covered by the IT Club network, MCIT’s Mobile IT schools website (www.dalilseti.com) hosting an online version supported the establishment of various websites in Clubs project established a fleet of buses and caravans Development of Centers for Disability Services at of its Directory of Rights and Services for Persons with the areas of community development, agriculture, equipped with computer labs and satellite internet state-run universities to support access to higher Disabilities, which covers the Greater Cairo area. education, health, ICTs for persons with disabilities, connections to provide beneficiaries with access to ICTs education and ICTs for micro, small and medium enterprises and related training. The Egyptian government is working on various (MSMEs). These include the Kenana Online community Development of a Unified Egyptian Sign Language tracks to enhance and develop access to information development web portal, which provides an online Community access points in schools and educational Dictionary, in cooperation with the MoE, to and knowledge for all segments of society, through arena where users can share and exchange knowledge institutes have proved particularly effective, where they facilitate communication for deaf and hearing efforts related to, among other areas, public domain and expertise in various fields; and the website of have engaged both students and the wider community. impaired people nationwide information, official information, public access points, the Center for Documentation of Cultural and Natural Government initiatives related to the integration of free and open-source software, capacity building, and Heritage (CultNat), which documents the various ICTs in the education process are extensive, and cover Support of the National Council on Disability digital library and archive services. Through these aspects of Egypt’s tangible and intangible cultural and areas including the establishment of computer labs, Affairs (NCDA), the main government authority efforts, and in parallel with other activities related to natural heritage using ICTs. the development of smart school networks, and R&D working in support of persons with disabilities, infrastructure and content, MCIT aims to expand and activities related to tablets and cloud computing. in the development of network infrastructure enhance Egypt’s information society, increase the Bibliotheca Alexandrina has been instrumental in connecting the council’s headquarters with its reach and uptake of e-government, and promote the the establishment and development of numerous Efforts relating to specific target groups include the branches around the country, and providing the use and development of ICT applications and services innovative information access points and resources. establishment of the Community Development Portal NCDA with the equipment and software necessary in business, particularly by SMEs. These include: an Arabic version of the Development for Women, an international project implemented by to establish and maintain an accessible website Gateway Portal, in cooperation with the Development Egypt’s National Council for Women, in partnership Gateway Foundation, to provide development- with IBM, to provide women with access to Establishment of a database relating to persons “Indicators related to this Action Line can be found in related information for the Arab region; the Arab Info multidisciplinary resources covering areas such as with disabilities, covering types and causes of the Achieving WSIS Targets: Indicators and Additional Mall, which provides a forum for Arab civil society legislation, employment and business opportunities. disability, geographic distribution, qualifications Indicators sections, where they are color-coded for organizations; the Hole in the Wall project, which and skill levels, training required by persons with convenience.” In support of the government’s efforts to address disabilities and those involved in their teaching, through a network of street kiosks in Alexandria the needs of persons with disabilities (PWDs), MCIT provides children with free access to computers, the and details of the official and non-governmental launched the ICTs for PWDs initiative in March 2012, entities serving and representing persons with internet and educational software; and, in cooperation For more information on Egypt’s initiatives and which aims to improve quality of life for persons disabilities with partners from China, India and the United States, with disabilities by using ICTs to facilitate access programs related to this Action Line, please refer the Universal Digital Library project, formerly known to information and knowledge, boost interaction to Profiles of Progress, which you will find on as the Million Book Project, which seeks to establish with the community and increase opportunities for Support has also come from the private sector. By the accompanying USB flash drive, or scan the QR a universal digital library to foster creativity and free employment. way of example, IBM, in collaboration with MCIT, has code to access the online version. access to human knowledge. initiated and supported a number of projects to facilitate The initiative involves the participation of persons access for persons with disabilities to information and The government promotes and supports various with disabilities and organizations representing their activities to increase access to information and knowledge and support their interaction with the interests, and focuses on integrating persons with community. These activities include the establishment knowledge for specific segments of the population, disabilities in Egyptian society and empowering

20 21 A Decade of Achievement

A significant output of the WSIS process has been the international community’s agreement over the right of all to ICT knowledge and skills. This is important given the central role of ICTs in community development. In the key area of education, for example, ICTs enhance teaching, learning and administration, and also promote training and lifelong learning for people outside the formal education process. The government’s long-held vision for national socioeconomic development has been to move Egypt from an information society to a knowledge society and on to an innovation economy. While the objectives of MCIT’s strategies have evolved over the years, the baseline requirement has remained the sustainable development of a workforce with the necessary ICT skills and knowledge to maintain sector development targets at each stage. MCIT has in this way been able to drive the development of both the ICT sector and the national economy as a whole, acting as a catalyst and an enabler for development through its network of affiliates and in cooperation with stakeholders across all sectors. MCIT has worked to promote e-literacy skills for all segments of society, and in particular marginalized and underserved communities, such as through the IT Clubs, Technology Homes WSIS Action Line C4 and Mobile IT Clubs initiatives, all of which provide access to ICTs and different levels of ICT Capacity Building training for people in their recipient communities.

The ministry has also implemented a number of innovative targeted capacity-building programs tailored to meet the development needs of specific communities. Such projects are usually integral and comprehensive in nature, aiming to maximize the benefits accruing from infrastructure development in the achievement of different objectives. One such project is the Integrated ICT for Development in Siwa Oasis program, a collaborative effort between MCIT, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Vodafone Egypt Foundation. This project was devised to empower the Siwan community in areas of literacy, education, health and business through small, integrated and focused interventions using ICTs to establish a sustainable development model for rural communities.

23 A Decade of Achievement

One tool that allows for the optimum outreach of training is e-learning. The e-Learning Competence Center (ELCC), established by MCIT in 2004, contributes to Egypt’s economic growth and global competitiveness through the enhancement of workforce skills and competencies, utilizing practical, state-of-the-art e-learning and human resource development tools and techniques in accordance with the evolving needs of the government and business community. The ELCC offers professional development, lifelong learning and entrepreneurship programs through a nationwide network of over 700 centers, and also works with and coordinates the efforts of sector-specific agencies, independent experts, consultants and translators to localize learning materials in a variety of disciplines.

The ICT for Education track includes capacity-building Professional skills development in the area of ICT is programs enabling teachers and administrators to addressed by the Information Technology Institute (ITI) integrate ICT programs in the education process. Under and the National Telecommunications Institute (NTI), the ICT for Illiteracy Eradication track, Siwan women which offer a range of ICT-related training programs are being taught to read and write. To overcome local and services. traditions, an innovative solution was created in the form of the “tabluter.” This customized processing ITI provides: capacity building through training unit embedded in a tableya (traditional round dining programs for undergraduates, graduates and table) runs for four independent users and functions government sector employees; capacity as a mobile education laboratory in individual homes, development through technical and management promoting literacy through interactive software. support; consultation and support in ICT; and accreditation and certification of training programs. As Egypt’s youth represent the future of the country, the government has long considered education ITI also works to foster relationships between reform a national priority. government and public sector entities, the private sector, academia and other stakeholders to advance A number of important initiatives in this regard involve education, research and innovation. With branches in ICT integration, covering infrastructure, processes and Cairo, Alexandria, Assiut, Mansoura and Ismailiya, and curricula. MCIT has worked in cooperation with various ties with universities and institutes around the world, partners to develop technical skills for students at all ITI supplies local, regional and international markets stages of learning through a number of initiatives. with qualified professionals in various fields of ICT and The high-profile Egyptian Education Initiative (EEI) a range of support services. is a public-private partnership, established in 2006, ICT Skills Development Programs include: the Education to reform the national education system, including Development Program for Egyptian Universities technical and vocational education and training (TVET). (EDUEgypt), which equips undergraduates with soft The Computers to Excel initiative, also launched in skills and technical competencies required in the 2006, promotes the spread of ICT tools among primary job market, and in particular in business process school pupils and teachers by encouraging and outsourcing (BPO); and the Train-the-Trainers Program, rewarding academic excellence. which qualifies recent graduates to become instructors Another priority for the government is raising ICT skill for ITI’s network of affiliated training centers. The levels among employees in the public sector, one professional level programs include the Nine-Month of Egypt’s main employers. MCIT and partners have Professional Training Program, which provides top worked to devise and implement tailored training university graduates with training on tracks covering: programs for workers in ministries, government industrial systems; information systems; infrastructure, authorities and public sector bodies with a view to networks and security services; software engineering; enhancing their performance and efficiency and, as a and content development. In December 2012, ITI result, boosting socioeconomic development on the achieved Level 3 compliance for Capability Maturity national level. Model Integration for Services, Version 1.3 (CMMI- SVC-V1.3) for its Nine-Month Program.

24 25 A Decade of Achievement

shape inputs into subsequent national ICT strategies. Specific training programs for information With regard to capacity building, the challenges, professionals have also been introduced by various which MCIT is working to address, were to: enhance stakeholders to generate a pool of ICT professionals the capacity of Egyptian graduates; make better use of for Egypt’s offshoring and outsourcing industries. the Egyptian diaspora brain pool; and leverage foreign experts and visiting specialists. The recommendations, to which MCIT is also responding, included: meeting Egypt’s accomplishments in in the BPO and information the training and human capacity needs of the BPO/ technology outsourcing (ITO) industries are clearly ITO sectors; promoting more cooperative education; reflected in the A.T. Kearney Global Services Location promoting more vocational training in the ICT sector Index, where it was ranked No. 13 in 2007, No. 6 in with a focus on ICT-enabled services; engaging 2009 and No. 4 in 2011. more with the Egyptian diaspora network; and using The Egypt ICT Trust Fund (ICT-TF), established by survey tools to review and assess the needs and MCIT and the UNDP in 2002, is working to address satisfaction rates of ICT sector employers, employees, gender and community barriers to ICT knowledge educationalists and students. acquisition by providing training for target groups Egypt views ICT literacy and capacity building as and communities, especially in rural and underserved priority areas, and will continue working to spread and areas, and promoting the production of useful and raise ICT skills and to enhance the education process. socially relevant content. A number of such community These efforts support all sectors of the economy by projects have been supported by international donor equipping Egyptians with the business, technical, agencies, including Italian Development Cooperation, research and entrepreneurial skills needed to fulfill Japan’s Official Development Assistance, the Swiss and sustain the country’s development plans. Agency for Development and Cooperation, and Islamic Development Bank. With over 20 years’ experience in technology Information Technology Industry Development Agency empowerment and human capacity building, ITI has (ITIDA) has played a key role in this context through its Another international aid project based on ICT “Indicators related to this Action Line can be found in established a number of programs and partnerships to efforts to build the capacity of Egyptian ICT companies, integration is the Pan-African e-Network Project, which the Achieving WSIS Targets: Indicators and Additional support human resource development around Africa – attract and service multinational ICT companies, and seeks to connect African Union member states through Indicators sections, where they are color-coded for including in Burundi, Eritrea, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda support the development of a sustainable talent a satellite and fiber-optic network to India and to each convenience.” – through various ICT-related tracks. pool. These efforts have also involved the Software other to enable access to and sharing of expertise in Engineering Competence Center (SECC), which supports areas including telemedicine and tele-education. In the development of the software industry through Egypt, where Alexandria University was selected as The NTI, founded in 1984, functions as a scientific For more information on Egypt’s initiatives and the provision of training, assessment, consultation the regional university for North Africa and Alexandria and educational institution, a center of excellence programs related to this Action Line, please refer and certification, and the Information Technology University Hospital as a regional specialty hospital, the and a focal point for research activities in the field to Profiles of Progress, which you will find on Academia Collaboration (ITAC) program, which fosters project has provided access to valuable education and of telecommunications, providing services and the accompanying USB flash drive, or scan the QR collaboration between industry and academia in training for workers in the healthcare sector. support for the telecommunications sector not support of innovative R&D-based product and service code to access the online version. only in Egypt but across the Middle East and Africa creation. MCIT recognizes the importance of regularly assessing region. its policies and strategies in all areas. In this context, Accreditation is an important component of human the ministry requested UNCTAD to carry out an ICT Policy capacity building as it provides guarantees of standards Review of Egypt focusing on selected policies and The NTI offers ICT training programs for graduates and for recipients and employers, while also reflecting the initiatives contained in Egypt’s ICT Strategy for 2007- public and private sector employees across Egypt, level of competencies available in the local market. 10. UNCTAD uses a model policy review framework to: human capacity building programs in cooperation with One of the main certification programs in Egypt is assess the implementation of national ICT strategies; multinational companies including Huawei and Cisco, the International Computer Driving License (ICDL), an identify policies, programs and implementation and distance-learning courses for Arabic-speaking internationally accredited computer skills certification mechanisms favoring the development of the telecommunications professionals around the world. program established by the European Computer information economy; and facilitate the identification The development of ICT-related capacity building in Driving License (ECDL) Foundation. The Egyptian ICDL of critical success factors, best practices and conditions, Egypt, supported by regulatory frameworks, aims Program, established in 2006 by MCIT, UNESCO and the as well as reasons for failure. to foster a business environment conducive to the ECDL Foundation, aims to train and certify 1 million The review, released in 2011, notes the main empowerment and expansion of the ICT industry. The Egyptians through a national network of training and testing centers. achievements and challenges, and provides recommendations, in selected focus areas to help

26 27 A Decade of Achievement

The WSIS documents agreed upon by the international community call for specific actions in the domain of building confidence and security in the use of ICTs. These actions require cooperation to enhance user confidence, build trust and protect data and network integrity through policy, legislation, education and support practices relating to online privacy, cybercrime and misuse of ICTs. Egypt is working on the national and international levels to achieve progress in this important area. Understanding that cybercrime has become a multibillion-dollar global industry, the Egyptian government, in cooperation with the private sector and other stakeholders, is working on various tracks to combat and respond to the misuse of ICTs. These efforts include developing legislation that allows for effective investigation and prosecution of cybercrime, and raising public and corporate awareness of online safety and the penalties for ICT misuse. MCIT and the National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) have made significant efforts to: develop policy and regulatory measures for good governance of the ICT sector and the use of ICTs in Egypt; prevent cybercrime; and promote awareness of internet safety and WSIS Action Line C5 security issues as use of the internet continues to expand in all sectors.

Building Confidence and Security in the Use of ICTs On the legislative level, Egypt has introduced the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Law (Law No. 82 of 2002); the Telecommunication Regulation Law (Law No. 10 of 2003); and the e-Signature Law (Law No. 15 of 2004), which is currently being amended.

During the January 2011 Revolution, the governing authorities found legal justification in the Telecommunication Regulation Law to disconnect various means of communication. After the revolution, in response to public demand, MCIT initiated a community dialogue concerning necessary amendments to the law. Drawing on feedback from this dialogue, and in consultation with experts and representatives from the ICT sector and concerned civil society organizations, MCIT’s Laws and Regulations Committee drafted amendments now in place to secure accessibility, safeguard freedom of expression and information, and protect privacy in communication networks. The government is currently working to prepare legislation covering cybersecurity, freedom of information and e-commerce. The draft cybersecurity law addresses the themes of protecting cyberspace and its contents, agencies’ obligations towards protecting their information space, and creating a national authority to monitor cybersecurity activities and issue licenses to operate within this domain. The draft law defines the obligations of those managing data and information; establishes rules to ensure they secure their information space as well as the data, systems, programs and networks contained therein; and addresses crime related to information systems and networks, and resulting penalties. It also establishes a national authority for information security, whose role will include establishing an information security strategy and promoting a culture of information security.

The draft freedom of information law covers: regulation of data and information management; the measures to be taken when access is withdrawn to information that should be readily available or if this information is manipulated; protection of information with the potential to affect national and public security; and protection of personal information and criminalization of its use for purposes other than that for which it was provided. It also establishes a council for information to regulate and monitor the disclosure, circulation and correction of data and information; promote a culture of information disclosure; and cooperate with national, regional and international authorities in this field.

29 A Decade of Achievement

Team (EG-CERT), which was established by the NTRA It has cooperation agreements in place with the Legal and regulatory frameworks are further explored specifications at ITIDA, is at the heart of national PKI in 2009. EG-CERT provides 24-hour support to entities United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team in the section on Action Line C6. efforts, and central to digital identity management across the ICT, banking and government sectors, (US-CERT), the Korea Internet and Security Agency efforts. Linked to and operating under the umbrella helping them tackle cybersecurity threats and deal (KISA) in Seoul, the Malaysia Computer Emergency of the center are three companies licensed to issue with incidents including denial of service (DoS) attacks. Response Team (MyCERT) and the Indian Computer Egypt has launched a digital identity management e-signature certificates. initiative based on the integration of public EG-CERT provides both reactive and proactive services, Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), as well as strong key infrastructure (PKI) in the national identity The Government Certificate Authority, housed at including incident handling, digital forensics, malware relationships with many CERTs in the Arab region, infrastructure. the Ministry of Finance, was established to provide analysis, vulnerability assessment and penetration including OCERT in Oman, tunCERT in Tunisia and intergovernmental PKI services and issue government testing. Q-CERT in Qatar. e-signature certificates. In June 2012, this authority Egypt further contributes to regional and international PKI, which is vital for the creation of qualified was linked to the Root Certificate Authority Trust e-signatures, is becoming central to efforts to protect efforts to build confidence and security in the use of Center, and several e-signature projects were EG-CERT cooperates with CERTs from around the digital identity for individuals and organizations, ICTs through a number of international organizations launched over the year to support the adoption of world to share information and experience. It is a thereby enabling advanced e-business, e-government and committees. Egypt participates in the Group of e-signature applications within MCIT projects and in member of the Forum of Incident Response and and e-commerce activities. Egypt has adopted a strict Government Experts established by the United Nations the government and financial sectors. Security Teams (FIRST), the main international hierarchal architecture for PKI, and various government Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) to examine forum for CERT teams, and the Organization and private entities, including Egypt Post and a number In Action Line C5, the WSIS invites interested countries international security in the field of information of Islamic Cooperation Computer Emergency of leading private banks, are establishing PKI-enabled to set up focal points for real-time incident handling and telecommunications. Egypt is a member of the Response Team (OIC-CERT). infrastructure. The Root Certificate Authority Trust and response. This is being implemented in Egypt International Multilateral Partnership against Cyber Center, established according to international security through the Egyptian Computer Emergency Response Threats (IMPACT), the cybersecurity executing arm of

30 31 A Decade of Achievement

the ITU and the operational home of the ITU’s Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA). Egypt is also an observer on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Committee for Information, Computer and Communications Policy (ICCP), including the Working Party on Information Security and Privacy (WPISP), and contributed to the drafting of the OECD’s privacy guidelines, the revision of OECD security guidelines and the enhancement of Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRT) statistical indicators.

Egypt, represented by EG-CERT, has participated in regional and international cyber drills organized by ITU-IMPACT, the Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT) and OIC-CERT.

On the African level, Egypt is involved in the implementation of a number of African Union projects, including the e-Africa Program of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), as well as the African Information Society Initiative and efforts related to digital television transition and the establishment of an African legal framework for cybersecurity.

A national COP committee was established in 2013, comprising representatives from government, the public and private sectors and NGOs, which has participated in various conferences, workshops and seminars with international partners, including the ITU, the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), Childnet International, the European NGO Alliance for Child Safety Online (eNACSO) and Insafe. Egypt is also an active participant in the ITU COP initiative, the ITU Council Working Group on COP and the Internet Governance Forum’s (IGF) Dynamic Coalition on Child Online Safety. As internet use grows in Egypt and around the world, the government is working on the national, regional and international levels to promote and support the development of legislation, guidelines, practices, technologies and cooperation to keep the internet accessible and safe for all.

One of the most important areas of cybersecurity is child online protection (COP). In 2007, “Indicators related to this Action Line can be found in the Achieving WSIS Targets: Indicators and Additional Egypt launched a program to protect children online through legislation, awareness-raising Indicators sections, where they are color-coded for convenience.” and education, capacity building, content creation and international cooperation. In this context, numerous English-language resources were translated and localized for an Arabic- speaking audience, including guidelines for parents. The legislative framework protecting For more information on Egypt’s initiatives and programs related to this Action Line, please children was also reviewed and the Child Law (Law No. 126 of 2008) was adopted, of refer to Profiles of Progress, which you will find on the accompanying USB flash drive, or which Article 116-bis (a) covers online protection. scan the QR code to access the online version.

32 33 A Decade of Achievement

The Egyptian government is working on various tracks to develop an enabling environment that maximizes the social, economic and environmental benefits of the information society. With the aim of developing the ideal ICT ecosystem, the government has identified various key areas for action, which for the purposes of this document have been summarized in eight key areas reflecting the efforts made over the last 10 years. Please note that a number of the issues raised in this section are covered under other Action Lines. Additionally, internet governance issues are not addressed in this report but are covered in separate documents.

Fostering an enabling policy, legal and regulatory framework

The government seeks to foster a supportive, transparent, pro-competitive and predictable framework for policy, legislation and regulation relating to ICTs, and to provide appropriate incentives to investment and community development in the information society. With this aim, the government has enacted various ICT-related laws over the last decade supporting WSIS Action Line C6 the role of the ICT sector as a pillar of the national economy. The January 2011 Revolution triggered a movement calling for the amendment of certain ICT- Enabling Environment related legislation, both to bring certain laws up to date and to protect the right of citizens to uninterrupted communications. In response to this demand, MCIT established its Laws and Regulations Committee, comprising legal and technical experts, to formulate new laws and regulations and to amend where appropriate those in existence, with the aim of ensuring a legal environment that fosters Egyptians’ use of ICTs, promotes productivity in all spheres, and encourages investment. In January 2014, the government issued an amended constitution. The 2014 Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt affirms the right of Egyptian citizens to free access to information, and to safe and secure communications services. Relevant articles include: Article 31, on the preservation of the security of cyberspace as an integral part of the economic system and national security; Article 57, on the sanctity of postal, telegraphic and electronic correspondence, telephone calls and other means of communication, and the right of citizens to access them; and Article 68, on the right of citizens to access information, data, statistics and official documents, and the responsibility of the state to make these resources available in a transparent manner. Article 69 addresses the role of the state in the protection of intellectual property rights in all fields.

35 A Decade of Achievement

During the January 2011 Revolution, the governing national authority for information security with a of software titles and to provide training and authorities found legal justification in the mandate to establish an information security strategy, consultancy to companies, law enforcement agencies, E-government strategies employed by the Ministry Telecommunication Regulation Law (Law No. 10 of promote a culture of information security, and oversee courts, prosecutors and other stakeholders. ITIDA, of State for Administrative Development are 2003) to disconnect various means of communication. registration and licensing of information security in cooperation with other agencies and various covered in the section on Action Line C7. After the revolution, MCIT initiated a community service providers. multilateral organizations, holds annual regional dialogue concerning amendment of the law. Drawing conferences on IPR and cybercrime that bring together on feedback from this dialogue, and in consultation Additionally, MCIT is cooperating with the Ministry law enforcement agencies, government officials Consumer Protection with experts and representatives from the ICT sector of Finance on the preparation of amendments to working in the IPR field, patent and trademark and civil society organizations, MCIT’s Laws and the Public Tender Law (Law No. 89 of 1998) – which attorneys, investors, bankers, and venture capital and Egypt took early steps to protect consumer rights Regulations Committee drafted about 55 amendments regulates the procurement of goods and services by ICT business development professionals to exchanges in the field of ICT, with the Telecommunication and three additional articles. These amendments government ministries, departments, local units, and ideas, lessons learned and expertise. In addition, ITIDA, Regulation Law stipulating the formation of a address: clarification of basic concepts and licensing public and general organizations – to modernize the in cooperation with the National Center for Judicial dedicated committee affiliated to the National obligations; regulation of the relationship between procurement process and enhance transparency. Studies at the Ministry of Justice, has held workshops Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA). The resulting Consumer Rights Protection Committee serves telecommunications providers; technological progress; In this same area, the Ministry of State for Administrative on IPR legislation and the role of the judiciary in the authority to disconnect communications; and protecting IPR. telecom consumers in an ever-changing market by: Development (MSAD) in cooperation with the General responding to, investigating and resolving consumer crime and penalties. The additions concern the Authority for Government Services, affiliated to share of Egyptian ownership in telecommunications complaints; proactively representing, educating and the Ministry of Finance, established a government advocating on behalf of consumers; researching and companies, state media and content licenses. e-procurement portal that provides electronic services National strategies to enhance transparency and efficiency in public administration analyzing consumer issues; and working with the The MCIT Laws and Regulations Committee is currently to government entities, suppliers, contractors and other telecom business community, consumer groups and in the process of drafting legislation relating to freedom stakeholders. By promoting fairness and transparency citizens to develop and implement creative solutions in procurement processes, the portal aims to improve Over the last 10 years, the government has implemented of information, cybersecurity and e-commerce, as well various national ICT strategies, including in the area of to consumer concerns. as preparing amendments to the e-Signature Law. levels of service for process participants, increase the number of participating suppliers/contractors/SMEs, e-government, to make public administration more The committee works to ensure that market In the drafting of bills, the committee draws on the transparent, efficient and democratic. recommendations of concerned international bodies, enhance auditing procedures, reduce procurement- mechanisms contribute to providing consumers with such as the International Telecommunication Union, related costs, and facilitate the achievement of optimal MCIT is currently formulating the Digital Society high-quality services at affordable prices. It works to examines legislation from other countries, and takes inventory levels. Initiative, which provides a framework for digital foster a transparent and fair market, and to maintain balance between the government, service providers into consideration the views of specialists and civil In 2001, the government took an important step identity management and the use of electronic society organizations. documents in the government sector. The initiative and consumers. The committee’s various activities towards building a more favorable investment climate include: raising awareness of consumers’ rights and for the ICT sector by starting the accession process to supports the adoption of policy, infrastructure and The draft freedom of information law aims to protect technologies designed to manage the collection, responsibilities; monitoring the performance of mobile public access to data, taking into account the protection join the Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on networks; promoting universal service and efforts that Trade in Services (GATS), generally known as the Basic storage, use, ownership and protection of electronic of people’s privacy and national security. The bill documents. This initiative involves development of address the needs of persons with disabilities; and prohibits any undeclared alteration of records except Telecommunications Agreement (BTA). Egypt became measuring the market response to new services. a formal member of the BTA in June 2002. In 2003, the national identity number database, which since its as stipulated by law, and supports the right of all to establishment in the early 1990s has grown to contain conduct and disseminate field and marketing research Egypt liberalized trade policies, and it joined the World The NTRA also regulates the ICT equipment market, Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology over 90 million records, and other national databases ensuring that equipment available in Egypt complies and data collection. It also establishes a council for – such as those for electricity, gas and fixed-line and information to regulate and monitor the disclosure, Agreement (ITA) in October 2004, according to which with specific technical, health and safety standards to it removed relevant tariffs by 2007. Through the ITA, mobile telephone subscriptions, social security, real protect users and ensure interoperability among public circulation and correction of data and information; estate tax and commercial registration. promote a culture of information disclosure; and the government has been able to stimulate the ICT networks. While Egypt has traditionally relied on type cooperate with national, regional and international sector and increase its contribution to the national The primary objectives of this initiative are to: ensure approval regimes in the assessment process, the NTRA authorities in this field. economy, foster investor confidence in the stability maximum levels of security in the collection, use and is examining the merits of harmonized conformity and predictability of government policies, ensure a storage of personal data; issue citizens with electronic assessment regimes, which are gaining in popularity The draft cybersecurity law defines the obligations of better negotiating position for Egypt with commercial identification cards to facilitate and secure transactions around the world, as an effective and efficient means those managing data and information, and establishes partners, facilitate trade with member states and with government authorities; improve and integrate to ensure adherence to global standards and protect rules to ensure they secure their information space, attract foreign investment. operations between government authorities, fostering the integrity of telecom networks. including the data, systems, programs and networks With the aim of promoting and raising awareness cooperation and efficient use of shared resources; and contained therein. It addresses crime related to promote the use of digital identity applications by information systems and networks, and resulting of intellectual property rights (IPR) in the ICT sector, the Information Technology Industry Development institutions and individuals, facilitating their access to penalties, to help maintain national security, preserve local, regional and international services. the rights of legitimate users of information networks, Agency (ITIDA) established the Intellectual Protection and protect the public interest. It also establishes a Office as the sole entity responsible for registration

36 37 A Decade of Achievement

Protection of online privacy In Egypt, the government and other stakeholders are working to promote user education and awareness about online privacy. Efforts in this area are being undertaken by, among others, MCIT, the NTRA, the Egyptian Computer Emergency Response Team (EG-CERT), the private sector and civil society organizations, and include activities related to the development of legislation and regulations, educating the public on safe use of the internet, and cooperation on the national, regional and international levels.

development and use of e-signature technology and ITIDA programs serving the needs of MSMEs include: Support of e-commerce applications and to activate the e-signature market, Support of innovation, entrepreneurship and Go to GCC, which helps Egyptian ICT companies MSMEs The government has adopted various measures to thereby supporting a shift to a paperless world and penetrate the Gulf Cooperation Council market; Export promote and support e-commerce, including its early raising efficiency in government administrative The government has implemented various IT, a rebate program that supports Egyptian companies adoption of e-commerce as a model user. It is also operations and service provision. multistakeholder projects to foster entrepreneurship in increasing their exports of ICT products and services; working, in line with WSIS calls, to cooperate with other and innovation in the ICT field. It is also working and Finance IT, which facilitates access to finance for In October 2011, ITIDA launched the e-Signature MSMEs in partnership with various financial institutions. stakeholders in raising awareness of the importance Competence Center (ESCC), which provides consultancy, to support micro, small and medium enterprises of international interoperability standards for global technical support, training and design services related operating in the ICT sector, and to empower MSMEs in The Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship e-commerce, and in promoting the development and to e-signature infrastructure and applications, and general through ICTs, which enable them to increase Center (TIEC), established by MCIT in 2010, works to use of open, interoperable, non-discriminatory and is working to raise awareness of the benefits of their competitiveness by streamlining administrative stimulate an innovation-based economy by promoting demand-driven standards. e-signature use through a national campaign. The ESCC procedures and facilitating access to capital. One of and facilitating innovation and entrepreneurship the main initiatives in this area is the ICT for MSMEs An important element of the government’s efforts also fosters partnerships between government entities through numerous programs, including in the important and the private sector across Europe, the Middle East Program, launched in June 2006 by the Egypt ICT Trust area of incubation. These include: InnovEgypt, which to support e-commerce was the enactment of the Fund (ICT-TF), which supports MSME development e-Signature Law of 2004, which established the and Africa to encourage the development of PKI and equips undergraduate students in ICT specializations related applications, especially in developing countries, and capacity building through ICTs and fosters an with various innovation- and entrepreneurship-related Information Technology Industry Development environment conducive to MSME growth. Authority (ITIDA). and to promote coherence and integration. skills; Start IT, a competition providing entrepreneurs ITIDA runs various programs that support MSMEs, with winning ICT-related ideas incubation at one of ITIDA regulates e-signature services and other activities providing them with technical and financial support TIEC’s incubation centers; and Hayiy, a competition in relation to e-transactions and the IT industry and Development of dispute settlement systems in areas including institutional development, market that supports MSMEs and recent graduates in the hosts the Root Certificate Authority Trust Center. research, marketing, training and certification. ITIDA development of Arabic social networks and related Linked to and operating under the umbrella of the mobile applications. The NTRA has established a department providing relies on public-private partnerships to promote center are three private certification service providers collaboration between stakeholders, and is working licensed by ITIDA, and the Government Certificate dispute settlement, mediation and conciliation Also active in this field is the Software Engineering services for entities working in the Egyptian ICT with civil society organizations to enhance members’ Competence Center (SECC), affiliated to ITIDA, which Authority, housed at the Ministry of Finance, which operations, capacity, marketing and business provides intergovernmental public key infrastructure sector. These services are voluntary except in the case provides MSMEs with training, assessment, consultation of disputes relating to interconnection, where the development activities, and to create channels of and certification services that enable them to enhance (PKI) services and issues government e-signature communication between government and companies, certificates. Telecommunication Regulation Law stipulates NTRA their technical expertise and improve their processes, involvement before disputants are allowed to pursue develop market outreach programs and enhance product content and/or service provision. exports. ITIDA is working on the national level to promote the arbitration or judicial procedures.

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Alongside the government, the private sector is engaged in various over 40,000 people. Smart Villages Company, which established and manages Smart Village Egypt, is a public- efforts to support innovation and entrepreneurship. By way of example, private partnership between the private sector and MCIT specializing in the establishment and management of Silatech and Microsoft run MasrTa3mal (EgyptWorks), an employability technology clusters and business parks on the local and regional level. portal providing young people with resources, opportunities and initiatives to help them learn, grow and perform. Vodafone Egypt Additional technology parks are to be established in Assiut, Aswan, Ismailiya and Mansoura. contributes through the Vodafone Ventures investment fund, which To increase the investment appeal of Egypt’s ICT sector, the government will issue unified licenses for invests in small ICT companies, supports youth entrepreneurship, and telecommunication service providers and is working to streamline various processes and address pending encourages innovation and creativity; and Vodafone Xone Egypt, an concerns in relation to, among other areas, spectrum allocation, communications cables and mobile phone incubator that supports promising technology startups. towers. Civil society associations and chambers of commerce also play an MCIT is also working in cooperation with the Social Fund for Development on the creation of new incentive important role, such as the Egyptian Information, Telecommunications, packages, with approximately EGP 25 million to be allocated to local companies for the development of integrated Electronics and Software Alliance (EITESAL), a non-profit entity made systems, product promotion and marketing, and activities related to mobile applications, tablets, open-source up of local companies, multinational corporations, organizations and software, cloud computing, cybersecurity and general government services. institutions operating in the ICT and electronics (ICTE) sector. EITESAL’s various initiatives include: the Business Nurturing Initiative, which The Universal Service Fund (USF) is also a major component of the government’s efforts to boost investment in helps new businesses to survive in the critical early years; Hand in Egypt. For more information on the USF, please refer to the section on funding mechanisms. Hand, which works to bridge gaps between academia and industry for the ICTE community; and the Women in ICTE initiative, which aims The government recognizes the importance of fostering an environment conducive to the development and to empower women in the ICTE sector, build capacity and encourage use of ICTs in the achievement of the goals of the information society. Egypt has made significant progress in entrepreneurship. this regard through the implementation of multistakeholder activities in various areas, underpinned by its work to develop a supportive, transparent and non-discriminatory framework for policy, legislation and regulation. Looking forward, the government seeks to achieve further democratization of the ICT sector and to ensure that Investment promotion all members of society are able to benefit equally from ICTs.

A major element of the government’s drive to attract investment to Egypt, and to the ICT sector in particular, is the establishment of a nationwide network of technology parks. Such parks provide a “Indicators related to this Action Line can be found in the Achieving WSIS Targets: Indicators and Additional supportive environment for ICT sector development, where specialized Indicators sections, where they are color-coded for convenience.” clusters foster synergies, collaboration and innovation, and boost Egypt’s reputation as a provider of world-class ICT and outsourcing services. For more information on Egypt’s initiatives and programs related to this Action Line, please Technology parks provide various benefits to member companies refer to Profiles of Progress, which you will find on the accompanying USB flash drive, or and organizations, including shared access to an uninterruptible scan the QR code to access the online version. power supply, high-speed telecommunications connections, security, facility management, convention facilities, parking, and retail and recreation services. They also reduce overheads for members, foster links between industry and academia, provide an ideal environment for incubation, and generate a large number of direct and indirect employment opportunities. The Cairo Contact Centers Park, covering an area of over 303,000 square meters, gathers Egyptian and international companies specializing in business/knowledge process outsourcing (BPO/KPO) and information technology outsourcing (ITO). Smart Village Egypt, launched in 2003, is a technology cluster and business park spread over an area of 3 square kilometers to the west of Cairo. The park accommodates more than 160 local and multinational companies, government and financial authorities, educational institutions, and research and development centers, employing

40 41 A Decade of Achievement

The Egyptian government has endeavored over the last decade to encourage and support the development and use of ICT applications that support sustainable development in all sectors. In line with the WSIS calls, the following sections address these efforts in the fields of e-government, e-business, e-learning, e-health, e-employment, e-environment, e-agriculture and e-science.

I. E-government

Under this theme, the WSIS calls concern: strategies focusing on applications aimed at innovating and promoting transparency in public administration and democratic processes, improving efficiency and strengthening relations with citizens; e-government initiatives and services adapted to the needs of citizens and business, to achieve a more efficient allocation of resources and public goods; and support of international e-government initiatives to enhance WSIS Action Line C7 transparency, accountability and efficiency at all levels of government. ICT Applications: Benefits in All Aspect of Life

Egypt has made significant progress in the field of e-government, which has been a priority of MCIT since it was established in 1999. In 2004, the Ministry of State for Administrative Development (MSAD) was mandated to coordinate key elements of e-government development. Since this time, the two ministries have worked in unison to disseminate ICTs across ministries and government authorities to enhance both operations and service provision.

43 A Decade of Achievement

The development of e-government in Egypt has MCIT’s 2014-21 framework strategy seeks to foster through the development of an expanded chief information officer (CIO) role within government entities that been motivated to a large degree by reform in the a digital economy based on freedom and social allows for cross-government coordination. public sector. A vital factor, however, in terms of equity. One of the three strategic objectives of the public uptake, has been the change in needs and strategy is the development of an integrated national Egypt’s progress in the field of e-government is the result of activities related to policymaking, ICT infrastructure, expectations of citizens as the information society digital platform that provides affordable access to the reach and uptake of mobile and internet services, the development and promotion of relevant e-applications, expands, which was accelerated by events during and knowledge and services, which involves synchronizing and human and institutional capacity building, as well, of course, as increased public demand. The government is working to enhance and streamline its efforts in this field, with reference to the recommendations of the OECD after the January 2011 Revolution. The increasing use e-government services and databases. review, with the aim of further improving public administration and service provision, raising transparency in of communications and social media as platforms for A prominent example of Egypt’s success in government and enhancing interaction with citizens. campaigns and mobilization has enhanced citizens’ e-government applications is the Government Services perceptions of ICTs and facilitated government efforts Portal, which provides a range of government-to- to introduce ICT applications in new areas, such as for citizen (G2C), government-to-business (G2B) and electoral databases and voting procedures. government-to-government (G2G) services covering II. E-business such diverse areas as vehicle licensing and business The e-government strategies employed by MCIT services related to qualifying industrial zones (QIZ). and MSAD have evolved over the years as the The automation and development of government In the realm of e-business, the WSIS outputs focus on promoting the benefits of international trade and integration of ICTs in government operations has operations has also allowed for the development the use of e-business and e-business models; adopting an enabling environment to stimulate private proved its worth and significantly enhanced the of e-applications, services and websites relevant sector investment and foster new applications, content development and public-private partnerships; and provision of public information and services. The to, among many other areas, procurement, traffic formulating policies that assist micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the ICT industry, as well focus on building strong infrastructure in the initial management, investment, electoral procedures and as their entry into e-business, to stimulate economic growth and job creation as an element of a strategy stage shifted to the provision of new and better e-payment of utility bills. for poverty reduction through wealth creation. services, then to administrative reform. With the foundations in place, MCIT’s e-government program Egypt’s success in the development of e-government for 2001-04 targeted improvements in specific applications has been acknowledged in the United areas including enterprise resource planning (ERP), Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA), an annual electronic archiving, interoperability and additional competition that provides recognition of excellence and services, including through the implementation innovation in governance and public administration. In of pilot projects. Subsequent MCIT strategies and the Western Asia region, Egypt won second place in initiatives have prioritized the development of 2011 under the Preventing and Combating Corruption policies and applications to expand the scope of in the Public Service category for its government e-government and enhance interaction between procurement portal, and second place in 2012 under the government and citizens. the Improving the Delivery of Public Services category for its initiative to develop a voter database and In 2007, MSAD strategy focused on institutional related online services. development, the establishment of national databases, the integration of e-government services With the aim of ensuring national efforts in and the creation of new channels for their delivery. e-government remain on the right track, MSAD The administrative reform work plan for 2010-12 cooperated with the Organization for Economic sought to capitalize on the potential of ICTs to support Cooperation and Development (OECD) in the a citizen-oriented public administration and the use production and publication of OECD e-Government of e-government as an instrument for its reform. The Studies: Egypt 2013, which analyses e-government work plan established relevant guidelines and included implementation in the country and presents a series programs covering government service development, of recommendations for action. state resource planning, the establishment of national The review acknowledges that the challenges the databases and institutional development. government faces in the development of e-government MSAD strategy for 2012-17 focuses on rational are considerable. In particular, the review notes the Over the last decade, the government has improved Egypt’s investment climate and encouraged management, with the goal of pushing forward the need for a clearly defined single e-government international trade through: World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements that removed trade barriers administrative apparatus with respect to information vision with clear ownership; the adoption of a unified for ICT products and services; establishment of an investment regime that allows for full repatriation approach in the coordination of efforts in all areas systems, administrative organization and human of profits, unrestricted ownership of investment capital, elimination of price controls and reduced tax of e-government, including human and institutional capacity in order to foster fairness, accountability, rates; partial privatization of Telecom Egypt and other state-owned enterprises; and establishment capacity building, budgeting and funding; and transparency, justice and public participation, thereby of free zones and special economic zones that provide incentives to invest in Egypt. In addition, increased collaboration among government entities helping to boost public trust in the government. the government has endeavored to develop a nurturing legal and regulatory environment, including based on strong institutional and organizational Through this strategy, MSAD seeks to redefine the role streamlined procedures for establishing companies, and to raise workforce skill levels. of government and government institutions, and to coordination mechanisms. The government is now promote open government. working to address these recommendations, including

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The government is working to create a supportive and Formal and informal MSMEs in all sectors of the economy institutions. These efforts have included the partners are playing a key role in this regard, providing secure environment for e-documents, e-signatures, are a major source of private sector employment, development of ICT infrastructure, including affordable equipment, software and services. e-payments and e-contracting. Public key produce a significant share of total value added, and multimedia laboratories and internet connectivity, and Alongside equipping educational establishments with infrastructure (PKI), which is vital for the creation of provide a large segment of low- and middle-income the provision of relevant technical support and training computers and related technologies, the adoption qualified e-signatures, is central to efforts to protect citizens with affordable goods and services. Although for teaching and administrative staff. of innovative teaching methods and employment of digital identity for individuals and organizations, MSMEs are less likely than larger businesses to have relevant ICT applications and digital content guarantee thereby enabling advanced e-business, e-government the capacity to use ICTs for comparative advantage, With the aim of developing effective and financially real and lasting results. and e-commerce activities. Egypt has adopted a strict they are engines of employment on the frontline in viable means of raising the quality of education services for all needs, the government has tested various hierarchal architecture for PKI, and various government the fight against poverty. Strategies that strengthen The TEEE program seeks to develop a sustainable education and business models over the years. Early and scalable model ideally suited to local needs. The and private entities are establishing PKI-enabled the capacity of MSMEs are therefore also strategies efforts included an education service provider model program is comprehensive in nature and addresses infrastructure. that support poverty reduction. whereby specific service providers were responsible infrastructure, software and content, as well as Within the banking sector, most banks are fully The government considers this a priority area, and is for both infrastructure and pedagogical aspects. This regulatory processes covering standardization and automated and have online banking systems. The therefore working to support MSMEs through various scheme was implemented in 27 out of a total of 38 benchmarking. The program targets the four key areas government has set up an information network initiatives and programs targeting, among other experimental schools in early 2000. However, the high of learning process management, content systems, linking banks with the Central Bank of Egypt, and has areas, training and capacity building, investment and costs involved rendered it unsuitable for large-scale administrative systems and learning sub-systems, and established the country’s first credit bureau, which incubation. implementation. Subsequent models included MCIT’s involves all relevant stakeholders in the process of supports both the growth of the payment card industry involvement to provide infrastructure at a reduced reforming the education ecosystem. and the provision of microcredit services. According to MCIT figures, the proportion of private cost, and a model proposed by the US Agency for enterprises in Egypt with websites increased over International Development (USAID) that focused on The MoHE’s ICT Project seeks to support Egyptian The Egyptian International Trade Point (EITP) was the period 2008-11 from 21% to 24%, while in 2011 pedagogical issues. universities in establishing robust infrastructure, established to create new markets for Egyptian products e-sales constituted about 30% of total sales for private supported by relevant hardware, software, associated and services using ICTs and to support the business-to- enterprises and e-purchases about 16% of total Prominent ICT-related education initiatives include the applications, and intra- and inter-university business (B2B) market. The EITP web portal includes purchases. Egyptian Education Initiative (EEI), the Technology- connectivity. The project involves the upgrading of directories of Egyptian companies and products, sell Enhanced Education in Egypt (TEEE) program, the university information networks, and their connection offers, buy offers, and tenders and bids, as well as Recognizing the essential role ICTs play in advancing Ministry of Higher Education’s (MoHE) ICT Project and through fiber-optic cables, to support the delivery of a information, statistics and various services to facilitate the growth of the national economy, including by the Tablet Computer Program. range of enhanced services. trade, including for SMEs. The Egyptian International raising enterprises’ efficiency and productivity and Trade Point Federation is a strategic adviser to the expanding their market reach, the government aims The EEI was launched as a public-private partnership The MoHE has been working closely with MCIT on World Trade Point Federation and a member of the to continue to promote and support e-business across between the government and the World Economic a comprehensive program covering: digitization of African Alliance for e-Commerce. all sectors of the economy through various strategies Forum’s ICT community as a progressive model for administrative procedures; development of an adaptive and initiatives involving all relevant stakeholders. reforming Egypt’s education system covering pre- learning environment and related e-content to promote Further efforts to support e-business include the university education, higher education, lifelong e-learning and lifelong learning; development of creation of websites by the Ministry of Trade learning and development of the e-learning industry. cloud computing infrastructure and related e-learning and Industry and the Egyptian Organization for III. E-learning Building on the established core principles of the applications; human capacity building and professional Standardization and Quality, which offer a range of national education system, it has become a national development; and development of a sustainable ICT- services and resources, including in relation to import Education is essential to development and progress project transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands, enhanced education ecosystem. standards and regulations. in all fields, and as such is a national priority. The irrespective of age, occupation or social level. The EEI government has adopted various strategies and is an inclusive model that brings students, parents, The project has also included the introduction to Egypt According to a report issued by the Economic and Social of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). MOOCs are Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in 2011, the initiatives over the last decade to integrate ICTs in the teachers, community leaders, government, business education process with the aim of enhancing learning, and international organizations together, clearly free, interactive web-based classes with open access Egyptian business community is effectively increasing and participation. In addition to traditional course its reliance on ICT applications. For MSMEs, the first ICT teaching and operations. These efforts cover capacity improving the lives of individuals. This is due in no building, curriculum development, training of teachers small part to the efforts made during the program’s materials, such as readings, texts and audiovisual tool adopted is usually a fixed line or mobile phone, resources, they provide interactive user forums that allowing them to communicate with suppliers and and administrators, the development of management development – including detailed analysis of learning information systems, and support for continuous methods and consultation with international experts help build a community for students, professors and customers without meeting in person, which may be teaching assistants. followed by acquisition of a personal computer (PC) learning and professional training programs, as well as – and the rigorous criteria in place for monitoring and with basic software. Even without internet connectivity, vocational education, illiteracy eradication and access evaluation. MCIT’s Tablet Computer Program has the dual aims of for persons with disabilities. PCs facilitate word processing, accounting and other The EEI seeks to add value to the national education developing education services using ICTs and promoting business practices. With internet access, they allow for Over the last 10 years, the Ministry of Education process in new and innovative ways, directly improving the expansion of Egypt’s electronics industry, thereby e-mail, file sharing, website creation and e-commerce. (MoE) has worked to reform the education system the quality of education. Although there are always boosting national income and creating jobs. The This may be sufficient for most MSMEs, especially through the development of national standards, the barriers to change, these are being overcome as program targets the manufacture of about 20 million those in service industries such as tourism, while SMEs decentralization of decisionmaking, the enhancement all stakeholders concerned recognize the very real tablets for students and the learning community, and in manufacturing may adopt more complex ICT tools, of teacher training, and the establishment of benefits of the initiative. A major component of the the establishment of an Egyptian tablet computer such as ERP or inventory management software. management information systems in educational EEI is increasing access to technology. Private sector industry.

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MCIT and the MoHE ran a pilot project in 2012, in collaboration with the training, and support and preparation for industry-standard certifications; e-content localization; and research Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), to provide and development activities to develop, evaluate and disseminate e-learning standards and infrastructure. about 10,000 Egyptian-made tablet computers to a sample group of students The center has established a number of partnerships with public and private organizations around the world to in state-run universities. In April 2013, MCIT launched the first Egyptian develop and/or share content, including the European Union’s Tempus e-Laboratories for Physics and Engineering tablet, named “Inar”, and at the beginning of the 2013/14 academic year Education program, Middlesex University in the United Kingdom, IBM, Microsoft, Siemens and various non- distributed 9,300 tablets to university students. The MoE is promoting governmental organizations. e-tablets incrementally, and the Inar tablet is available for purchase in a number of retail outlets. Further efforts to develop interactive educational content are numerous, and include: The government has also introduced a number of initiatives to develop Cairodar, a website providing various education and entertainment resources technical and vocational schools, seeking to improve vocational education and training through the integration of ICTs. Efforts in this field cover infrastructure, Nafham, a website that provides students with their curriculum in a manner designed to foster understanding, specialized educational software and e-curricula, as well as relevant training broader application and experimentation; helps students follow up with teachers in an interactive electronic for teachers and technicians, in order to provide students with the ICT training environment; and allows teachers to supplement their teaching by posting creative media and soft skills required in the job market. La Main à la Pâte, a website developed by Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) and the French Academy of Sciences promoting scientific investigation within the framework of primary school education by motivating teachers to place children in a position where they can experiment, observe, query and reason. The BA has worked on the localization of site content to suit the Egyptian education curriculum

With regard to persons with disabilities, Egypt signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007, supporting the efforts of the United Nations to change attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities, and to ensure they are able to enjoy their full rights, make decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent, and function as active members of society. In the same year, Egypt held the First Arab Regional Forum on Sharing Experience on Best Practices in ICT Services for Persons with Disabilities. The resulting Cairo Declaration on Supporting Access to ICT Services for Persons with Disabilities emphasized the need to develop and use ICTs to provide services to persons with disabilities, and identify the roles of government entities, research centers, universities, civil society and the private sector in providing such services. The declaration also covered legislation and regulations, collection of accurate information and statistics, means to increase opportunities for employment, and provision of access to high-quality ICT devices and services at affordable prices. In 2012, MCIT launched the ICTs for Persons with Disabilities initiative, which, in cooperation with numerous stakeholders, aims to improve quality of life for persons with disabilities by using ICTs to facilitate access to With the support of the government and other stakeholders, a number of information and knowledge, boost interaction with the community and increase opportunities for employment. education institutions are making great progress in e-learning, including The initiative includes: the development of inclusive and special needs schools; grants providing persons the Egyptian e-Learning University (EELU), Nile University, the Arab Open with disabilities with training in skills required by ICT companies, including data entry and telesales; and the University, the Mediterranean Virtual University and the Avicenna Virtual Employability Enhancement Program, in which MCIT and the Chamber of Communication and Information Campus for Science and Technology. Technology are cooperating to integrate persons with disabilities in the workforce. The Egyptian e-Learning University (EELU) is a private non-profit organization ICTs are also an important element of government efforts to address the serious issue of illiteracy. The ICT for for higher education that opened in 2009. It provides educational services, Illiteracy Eradication Initiative was established by MCIT and various partners to support illiteracy eradication training and research programs in interdisciplinary fields catering to the efforts through the production, adaptation and application of ICTs, with a focus on rural areas and, in particular, future needs of local and regional markets through a virtual educational women. The program has resulted in the production of an easy-to-use interactive computer tutorial contained environment using distributed learning, e-learning and distance learning. on three compact discs that covers the Arabic alphabet and elementary mathematics based on the General Authority for Literacy and Adult Education’s (GALAE) curriculum for illiteracy eradication. In support of national efforts, the e-Learning Competence Center (ELCC), established by MCIT and Cisco Systems in 2004, contributes to Egypt’s economic On the ICT for Illiteracy Eradication track of the Integrated ICT for Development in Siwa Oasis program, a community growth and global competitiveness through the enhancement of workforce development program based on the provision of ICT-enabled services in various sectors to establish a sustainable skills and competencies, utilizing practical, state-of-the-art e-learning and development model for rural communities, Siwan women are being taught to read and write. To overcome human resource development tools and techniques in accordance with the local traditions, an innovative solution was created in the form of the “tabluter.” This customized processing evolving needs of the government and business community. unit embedded in a tableya (traditional round dining table) runs for four independent users and functions as a mobile education laboratory in individual homes, promoting literacy through interactive software. The ELCC’s numerous programs cover, among other areas: a national network of e-learning delivery centers, providing web-based content, online In the governorate of Minya, the Tanweer Foundation for Education Development is working with MCIT and the assessment, student performance tracking, hands-on laboratories, instructor Egypt ICT Trust Fund (ICT-TF) to implement a self-study program that uses ICTs to help eradicate illiteracy.

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Looking forward, the government sees great potential for cloud computing technologies and is currently working The National Health IT Master Plan, formulated by include: Alexandria University Hospitals, the Critical to incorporate their use in e-learning, content and classroom management systems; multitrack e-learning MCIT and the MoHP, covers analyzing the status of Care Unit at Qasr Al Ainy Hospital, the Cardiology packages tailored to individual needs; social networks providing the education community with an arena for the MoHP, identifying its key objectives and future Unit at Ain Shams University Hospital, the National dialogue and exchange of information; dynamic Arabic educational content; use of simulation software and vision, assessing Egypt’s healthcare sector in relation Diabetes and Endocrinology Institute, Health Insurance applications providing an enhanced learning experience; student achievement profiles; and applications to raise to international trends, identifying and closing gaps, Organization (HIO) laboratories in Cairo and outpatient the capacity of teaching staff and administrators. and formulating strategies to address challenges. In clinics affiliated to the HIO. support of the plan – and the Millennium Development The government seeks to build on its achievements in the field of e-learning, in cooperation with national, Goals (MDGs) – a recent protocol targets the Another prominent example is the Egyptian regional and international partners and stakeholders, to develop and employ e-learning applications that are identification of a common and sustainable vision and Ambulance Organization (EAO) Automation Project. accessible and relevant to Egyptians both within and outside the formal education process. The government strategy for the use of ICTs in healthcare provision to MCIT and the EAO, in cooperation with the MoHP, also remains focused on the main challenges it faces in this regard, namely developing models that are both ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to the launched the project in 2008 to enhance the quality effective and sustainable, and ensuring equity in terms of reach and quality. implementation of the numerous projects carried out and response time of medical emergency services in this field. In parallel, the MoHP, MCIT and the MSAD by fully automating EAO services and back-office are implementing a number of projects to accelerate operations. Through this project, the EAO has replaced ICT integration in the healthcare sector. its paper-based fleet management system with a IV. E-health specialized integrated software package. The new With the objective of creating a national information electronic system allows the EAO to manage vehicles Egypt supports the WSIS outcomes with regard to e-health, which include multistakeholder collaboration center that serves the data collection, production and and crews more efficiently, and provides valuable in creating reliable and affordable healthcare and health information systems; promoting continuous dissemination needs of the MoHP, the ministry worked real-time information that facilitates the compilation medical training, education and research; facilitating access to medical knowledge and locally relevant with USAID to produce a new National Information of accurate daily reports on call-outs detailing type of content resources to strengthen public health research and prevention programs; and monitoring and Center for Health and Population (NICHP) with clearly accident, time and location. The project has provided controlling the spread of communicable diseases. defined objectives, structure, staffing arrangements, the EAO with an efficient system for filtering out space requirements, and relationships between non-emergency calls; a human resource application Healthcare reform is a priority area for the government, which aims to provide all citizens with access the NICHP and governorate health directorates. All covering management of staff recruitment, vacancies, to reliable, high-quality and affordable healthcare services. MCIT is working with the Ministry of Health components were designed to improve the quality, salaries, attendance and performance appraisal; and Population (MoHP) on various projects to develop the healthcare sector, applying ICTs to improve timeliness and access of healthcare system data to an intranet network that simplifies and speeds up service offerings and delivery, particularly for remote areas, and to increase administrative efficiency support informed decisionmaking within the ministry. communication; and an enhanced system for receiving nationwide. Efforts in this regard include automation of procedures, capacity building for both medical and dealing with complaints. and administrative staff, and the development of networks to improve communication and data collection The National Network for Public Health Treatment was and transfer. the result of a joint project by MCIT and the MoHP to Given that Egypt covers an area of over 1 million automate the administrative processes related to the square kilometers, the government has been keen to provision of free medical care to citizens and to link explore the potential of telemedicine. Multistakeholder the management of medical boards in hospitals and projects in this field include: medical institutes across the country. Achievements of the project include the establishment of a data Telemedic@Egypt, which connects high-level mining system that can be accessed from remote healthcare resources in cities with low-level sites, support of research into disease spread patterns, facilities in remote and underserved areas, dissemination of valuable indicators for healthcare assisting in the development of a roadmap for sector administrators and the introduction of mobile telemedicine in Egypt applications allowing for enhanced communication with patients. A telemedicine link connecting Siwa Central Hospital with a center of excellence at Shatby In the area of training and capacity building, the Children’s Hospital in Alexandria established National Healthcare Capacity Building Project aims to under the ICT for Health track of the Integrated create a pool of competent healthcare professionals ICT for Development in Siwa Oasis program. The equipped to design and implement effective health center provides telemedicine services and remote systems and programs. The project provides MoHP diagnosis in pediatrics in partnership with the staff, doctors, nurses, technicians and healthcare World Health Organization (WHO) administrators with relevant training in basic IT skills and biomedical awareness and informatics, as well as A pilot teledermatology project to test a professional development programs. technology framework enabling dermatologists to diagnose skin conditions remotely through The government has implemented numerous projects mobile applications, the results of which are being to automate operations at hospitals and other used to determine the potential for nationwide institutions in the healthcare sector. Beneficiaries deployment of such services

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The use of ICTs to enhance healthcare provision for Egypt has quickly developed a strong outsourcing from the Italian government and assistance from target groups includes the Women’s Mobile Health V. E-employment industry and positioned itself as a world leader in the the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Unit Project. Launched in 2007, it provides women field. Egyptian exports of cross-border outsourcing The IMIS supports the Ministry of Manpower and over the age of 45 with free screening for breast The WSIS calls relating to e-employment are centered services via the internet were worth USD 1.487 billion Migration in managing regular migration flows from cancer, diabetes and hypertension through a network on developing best practices for e-workers and a year by the end of 2011. Egypt, improving the social status of Egyptian migrants of mobile and static mammography units linked to a e-employers; promoting new ways of organizing work in receiving countries, and channeling human and center of excellence in Cairo for diagnosis by senior and business with the aim of raising productivity, Egypt was named Offshoring Destination of the Year financial resources resulting from migration. The project radiology consultants. Another example, the Alexandria growth and well-being through investment in ICTs in 2008 by the National Outsourcing Association, included the establishment of an online database Regional Center for Women’s Health and Development, and human resources; promoting teleworking to allow received a European Outsourcing Award in 2009, allowing job matches to be made between Egyptian provides specialized services in women’s healthcare citizens to live in their societies and work anywhere, and was ranked fourth in A.T. Kearney’s 2011 Global jobseekers and prospective employers abroad, and and telemedicine consultation. The center maintains and to increase employment opportunities for women Services Location Index. Efforts to enhance Egypt’s has served to strengthen the ties between Egyptians digital health files for every patient, linked to national and persons with disabilities, paying attention to position in outsourcing aim at increasing annual export working abroad and their homeland. identity card numbers, and houses a digital research job creation and the retention of the skilled working revenues from outsourcing to USD 2.5 billion and from library and conference facilities. force; and promoting early intervention programs in intellectual property to USD 1 billion. Measures to The Youth Employment Generation Program, launched science and technology that should target young girls achieve these goals include: establishing a national in 2012 by the ICT-TF with the support of the Japanese Egypt is also engaged in efforts to expand medical to increase the number of women in ICT careers. network of 20 technology parks; diversifying target government, aims to help reduce high levels of youth resources for local and global use. The National Cancer markets for Egyptian outsourcing exports; promoting unemployment and to close the gap between the skills Registry Program of Egypt (NCRPE) was established to greater participation from SMEs in outsourcing; possessed by young people and those required by create a central database of cancer data facilitating increasing the number of outsourcing professionals, employers. The project consists of three components: decisionmaking and research in cancer control and with the aim of creating 75,000 direct job opportunities the MSMEs program, which aims to improve the prevention. The database, containing cancer incidence and 220,000 indirect job opportunities by the end of competitiveness and profitability of local MSMEs; the data including patient demographics, primary tumor 2017; attracting more foreign investment through Youth Social Entrepreneurship Program, which aims to sites and tumor morphology, will be available global promotional campaigns; and maintaining a increase self-employment and employability of young for researchers, clinicians, public health officials, strong Egyptian presence in regional and international people through access to technical, vocational and legislators, policymakers, community groups and the fairs, trade missions and efforts to protect intellectual entrepreneurial skills training, with special emphasis public. property rights and personal data. on ICTs; and the Vocational Training and Internship Program, which focuses on setting up a mechanism to With regard to Egypt’s involvement in regional and ITIDA engaged management consulting firm McKinsey connect private companies with youth seeking to join international e-health activities, a prominent example and Company as a strategy consultant to develop and the job market. is the Pan-African e-Network project. This is an ICT assist in implementing Egypt’s strategy for the IT and project between India and the African Union (AU) that IT-enabled services industry. This cooperation involved Under MCIT’s ICTs for PWDs initiative, the Employability seeks to connect AU member states through a satellite developing a 10-year strategy for Egypt’s IT Industry Enhancement Program, launched in cooperation with and fiber-optic network to India and to each other for 2010-20, setting aspirations for Egypt as a top the Chamber of Communication and Information to enable access to and sharing of expertise in areas In Egypt, where people aged under 30 account for offshoring destination, increasing Egypt’s attractiveness Technology, aims to integrate persons with disabilities including telemedicine and tele-education. Under the 60% of a population of over 85 million people, the and ranking as a global offshoring location, attracting in the workforce. In the pilot phase, MCIT will provide project, Alexandria University was selected as the government is keen to identify and develop new forms foreign direct investment, enhancing the readiness of 400 persons with disabilities with training in specific regional university for North Africa, and Alexandria of employment. In this context, the government seeks Egypt’s human resources to work in the outsourcing skills required by ICT companies – including data entry, University Hospital as a regional specialty hospital. The to explore the potential of e-employment, which industry, and reforming and enriching infrastructure telesales and IT-related administrative work – and five-year project, running from July 2009 to July 2014, allows people to live and work in different places and the business ecosystem. the chamber will seek to match 100 trainees with is providing access to valuable education and training and increases employment opportunities for people appropriate job opportunities at ICT companies. In for growing numbers of Egyptians in the healthcare unable to commute on a regular basis, such as women MCIT is working to create a sustainable supply of ICT- support of these efforts, Misr El Kheir Foundation will sector. with young children and persons with disabilities. proficient human resources through various training partially support the salaries of selected candidates and certification programs. Such programs will provide during their first year of employment. Egypt has achieved considerable success in a range Business process, knowledge process and information employment opportunities for large numbers of of diverse e-health activities. Seeking to boost efforts technology outsourcing (BPO/KPO/ITO) are fields that people, including in the growing number of technology The ICT sector has proved instrumental in the creation to develop and implement e-health applications of have developed considerably in Egypt over recent parks. The Cairo Contact Centers Park, for example, is of employment opportunities. The integration of direct relevance to citizens, raise quality and efficiency years and which are creating employment for growing expected upon completion to provide 40,000 direct ICTs in other sectors also creates jobs, and provides across the healthcare sector, and extend its outreach, numbers of young people, including graduates. Through and 100,000 indirect job opportunities. new opportunities for youth, women, persons with the government is working to establish a coordinated, various strategies, MCIT has sought to promote exports disabilities and all segments of the population. The unified approach to future efforts, covering both short- of outsourcing services, taking advantage of Egypt’s Seeking to address the needs of potential migrant government is therefore working in cooperation with and long-term plans, with the full support of the location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the workers in Egypt as well as the needs of Egyptians various stakeholders to accelerate progress in this area. healthcare sector and other stakeholders. Middle East, and a workforce comprising a large pool of abroad, the government created an Integrated young, multilingual and technically proficient people. Migration Information System (IMIS) with funding

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The initiative rests on three main pillars: raising in cooperation with the Environmental Hazards VI. E-environment community awareness of green ICT challenges, and Mitigation Center at Cairo University and the potential and opportunities; reducing the negative Institute for Graduate Studies and Research at ICTs are powerful tools in relation to environmental protection. They facilitate data collection, forecasting and environmental impact of ICTs resulting from energy Alexandria University, is measuring and analyzing resource management, assist in climate change mitigation and adaptation, and support sustainable development consumption and e-waste through sustainable ICT various air pollutants, with the National Institute for in all areas. The WSIS calls relating to e-environment encourage the use and promotion of ICTs as an instrument for procurement and e-waste management; and using Standardization (NIS) acting as a reference laboratory environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources; sustainable production and consumption ICTs to reduce the negative environmental impact of for quality assurance and control. A network of 47 and the environmentally safe disposal and recycling of discarded hardware and components used in ICTs; and all sectors of the economy by limiting greenhouse stations covers Cairo, Alexandria and a number of cities the establishment of monitoring systems, using ICTs, to forecast and monitor the impact of natural and man- gas emissions and supporting environment-friendly in the Delta and Upper Egypt. Another notable project made disasters. sustainable economic development, particularly in the led to the establishment of an Industrial Pollution energy, transport, water and housing sectors. Information System, which analyzes industrial data to identify potential polluters and support the process of In support of the initiative, MCIT established a environmental planning and decisionmaking. website (www.greenict.gov.eg) providing relevant information, news, resources and contacts. Egypt has been keen to work with various regional and international organizations to achieve green The Green ICT Initiative aims at addressing specific ICT goals. The establishment of a regional trade concerns of the community in relation to areas agreement concerning green ICT between Egypt and including water, energy and transport, with the aim of the World Bank has facilitated MCIT’s formulation of a helping all sectors to limit damage to the environment strategy and terms of reference for a full assessment and to apply ICTs to save energy and resources and of e-waste activities in Egypt. Other organizations to mitigate climate change. Efforts in this regard that have contributed to Egypt’s progress in green include the holding of a smart water management ICT include the OECD, the ITU, the United Nations workshop in 2013, which examined issues such as Environment Program (UNEP) and the Center for water resource and irrigation management and water Environment and Development for the Arab Region quality monitoring. The workshop led to the creation and Europe (CEDARE). of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector The government is committed to continuing and (ITU-T) Focus Group on Smart Water Management, expanding its efforts in the field of green ICT with under ITU-T Study Group 5 (SG5) on Environment and a view to promoting sustainable development, Climate Change. The focus group, chaired by Egypt, responsible use of natural resources, reduction works to guide various stakeholders in the adoption of of emissions, effective waste management and smart water management policies. environment-friendly operations across all sectors. The government efforts to promote the sustainable Understanding that real progress in this field requires Recent reports that the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is growing faster than production and safe disposal and recycling of ICT the participation of all, the government aims to originally predicted are alarming. It is a global responsibility to address this trend, including through hardware and components include the review and raise awareness and promote collaboration on both the use of ICTs, to achieve the targets called for by scientists, economists and policymakers to reduce updating of legislation and regulations to meet the national and international levels to ensure that emissions to at least 20% below 1990 levels by 2020. international standards, the development of a national environment-friendly practices become the norm. Governments around the world are increasingly adopting a green ICT approach, which seeks to ensure that e-waste management program, the establishment of a national e-waste collection mechanism and the the production, use and disposal of ICTs is not detrimental to the environment, and that ICTs are used in VII. E-agriculture other sectors to minimize environmental damage. development of an accreditation system for e-waste for the private sector. A growing number of businesses In this context, the Egyptian government is working to promote an ICT sector that is environment-friendly are responding, such as Spear Ink, whose core business Agriculture is one of the most important sectors in Egypt, and to support the development and use of ICTs across all sectors to reduce environmental damage and is refilling and refurbishing ink and toner cartridges, and is vital to food security. As such, the government mitigate climate change. MCIT contributed to the formulation of OECD recommendations in this regard Recyclobikia, which refurbishes old ICT equipment, considers the integration of ICTs in agriculture a and in 2010 hosted the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Fifth Symposium on ICTs, the and CompuMe, one of the largest retailers of ICT goods national priority. The WSIS calls in e-agriculture focus Environment and Climate Change. The resulting Cairo Declaration has served as a primary reference for in Egypt, which has established an e-waste recycling on the systematic dissemination of information, using ensuing work. company. ICTs, on agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, forestry and food, in order to provide ready access to In the framework of efforts to synergize and coordinate green ICT activities on the national level, MCIT and The use of ICTs to forecast and monitor the impact of comprehensive, up-to-date and detailed knowledge the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs (MSEA) adopted the Green ICT Initiative in 2010. Under this natural and man-made disasters is being addressed and information, particularly in rural areas; and initiative, the Green ICT Stakeholders Committee was established, comprising representatives from the through a number of projects. These include the the establishment of public-private partnerships to public and private sectors, civil society organizations, and regional and international agencies. development of an Air Pollution Monitoring System. maximize the use of ICTs as an instrument to improve The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), production in terms of both quantity and quality.

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and sensors providing access to valuable data relating to topography, soil types, climate, water resources and ecosystems. In Africa, there is huge scope for cooperation in this field, with particular reference to the Great The government’s efforts in the field of e-agriculture have included numerous automation projects. Such projects Lakes and the River Nile, as a means to promote development and contribute to efforts to combat problems have equipped the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR) with innovative systems and applications such as poverty, environmental degradation and the impact of natural disasters including floods and droughts. to enhance operations, allowing it to establish databases on land resources utilizing Global Positioning System (GPS) and remote sensing technologies. The information center of the MALR’s Economic Affairs Division has established a comprehensive database of statistical and economic indices and published a website providing E-agriculture is a vital area of work for emerging economies, and in Africa in particular. The government the public with useful information. seeks to promote cooperation on the local, regional and international levels, including the sharing of knowledge and best practices, with a view to enhancing agricultural practices around the world and In another project, MCIT and the MALR worked to automate operations at the Central Laboratory for Veterinary thereby promoting global food security, while also engaging communities in safeguarding the world’s Quality Control of Poultry Production (CLQP), with the aim of increasing efficiency, speeding up response time natural resources. and raising productivity. The resulting geographic epidemiological survey of poultry farms for use by the CLQP laboratory and connected branches provides details of the location and activities of all poultry farms, as well as any outbreaks of disease, allowing the CLQP to respond quickly to prevent epidemics. Additionally, a number of mobile applications have been developed to facilitate data collection from the field. VIII. E-science

The WSIS calls in the field of e-science concern internet connectivity for universities and research institutions to RADCON succeeded in strengthening communication support their role in information and knowledge production, education and training, and the establishment of among the key stakeholders in rural and agricultural partnerships, cooperation and networking; electronic publishing and open-access initiatives to make scientific development, allowing rural communities to link into information affordable and accessible; the use of peer-to-peer technologies to share scientific knowledge; and benefit from an interactive information network collection, dissemination and preservation of essential scientific digital data; and principles and metadata that integrated the use of internet-based technologies standards to facilitate cooperation and effective use of collected scientific information and data to conduct scientific research. with the use of local media, and encompassed extension, research, NGOs, private and public sector The government has undertaken various activities in the field of e-science, involving the Ministry of State for institutions, universities, youth centers, and community Scientific Research (MSSR), MCIT, Bibliotheca Alexandrina and various other stakeholders. and farmer organizations. Following an overall evaluation of the national science and technology (S&T) system in 2006, the government Supporting the spread of relevant knowledge in launched the Decade for Science and Technology 2007-16 to strengthen national S&T capabilities and foster farming communities is the agricultural and livestock cooperation with developed economies. The Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) was established production web portal Aradina, a specialized offshoot as a consultative body to set S&T strategy and priorities, and the Developing Scientific Research Plan of 2007-16 was introduced to restructure S&T governance, improve national S&T capabilities in terms of investment and Two major initiatives to apply ICTs in agriculture and of the Kenana Online community portal. The portal human resources, develop a complete value chain from research to commercialization, and disseminate S&T rural development were the Virtual Extension and features information and knowledge generated by the culture across society. Research Communication Network (VERCON) and the community covering areas such as crops, vegetables, Rural and Agricultural Development Communication fruit, plants, animal production, water, and pests and Under this framework, the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Program was launched by the MSSR Network (RADCON) projects. diseases. The portal attracts about 90,000 visits each and the European Commission in 2007, with a grant of EUR 11 million, to promote RDI in specific sectors in month. accordance with national and EU priorities. Following the successful implementation of the project, a second VERCON was initiated in 2000 to establish an phase was launched in 2011, with a grant of EUR 20 million, aiming at promoting collaborative research, open Agricultural Research and Development Network To support the Egyptian horticultural industry and innovation and no-borders technology transfer. This phase will support sustainable, long-lasting collaborative (ARDN); increase local capacity to address farmers’ related exports, the government has launched a projects beyond the duration of the program. changing needs; and strengthen the communication project to automate operations at the Horticultural capacity of existing systems to generate, transmit Export Improvement Association’s (HEIA) Perishable The three key components of RDI Phase 2 are innovation support, center of excellence support and research networking. Innovation support is focused on providing competitive grants to collaborative applied research and retrieve information using the internet in order Goods Terminal at Cairo Airport. The project will projects and establishing innovation clusters that address crosscutting technology/research areas. Center of to meet the perceived needs of all stakeholders, from provide market information via a web-accessible excellence support is focused on assisting the government in upgrading research capacities and creating spin- research stations to farming communities. platform; provide secure, online, real-time access to HEIA data; increase transparency among stakeholders; offs from existing centers of excellence, as well as exploring the development of a business plan for the creation RADCON, which ran from 2004 to 2008 in collaboration and facilitate the tracking of perishable goods. of a core center of excellence with educational, research and technology components. with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the The Research Networking Unit was established to manage an RDI network of focal points in universities, research With irrigation farming considered a key means to United Nations (FAO), was designed and implemented centers and ministries aiming at disseminating information on funding opportunities on a national and regional achieving food security, the challenge is to design as a pilot project, funded by the Italian government, basis, thereby enhancing and facilitating the participation of Egyptian research organizations and individuals in systems that are efficient both in terms of water to take expand the VERCON concept and involve a EU-funded programs and initiatives. The Research Networking Unit is also responsible for promoting researchers’ usage and crop output. ICTs can facilitate the design wider range of stakeholders, with the ultimate aim of capacities and ideas, integrating researchers into the European Research Area (ERA), incubating consultants and of such systems, and others aimed at sustainable improving the livelihoods of farming families and their establishing and supporting research networks, linking them further throughout universities and research centers management of natural resources, with satellites communities. with EU/Mediterranean partner country networks and extending grants to fund activities such as incoming/

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outgoing mobility schemes and partnership/twinning with EU-funded projects. This walk-in virtual reality system allows for interactive work within three-dimensional (3D) computer-generated These activities encompass organization of and/or participation in conferences, models and environments. With virtual reality, or immersive visualization, researchers are able to experience 3D seminars, workshops, capacity-building events and training, information days, simulations of natural or human-engineered phenomena, often eliminating the need for physical models and brokerage events, monitoring activities and conducting of surveys. thereby saving time and resources for both commercial and scientific research. Egypt participated in the European Commission Seventh Framework Program for This facility is the first in Africa and the Middle East to provide such advanced visualization tools. The introduction Research and Technological Development (FP7), an EU funding program running of such technology in the region provides researchers with the infrastructure they need to cooperate and work from 2007 to 2013, comprising research-related initiatives to promote growth, closely with researchers around the world, and will pave the way for future collaboration in such diverse fields competitiveness and employment through support of cooperation, ideas, people as architecture, medicine, molecular dynamics, climate change mitigation and cultural heritage. and capacities in 10 thematic areas, including health, food and agriculture, ICTs, nanotechnologies, energy, environment and transport. The government recognizes the importance of boosting national efforts in the area of e-science. Such efforts support research and innovation in various fields of science and technology, thereby boosting Egypt’s scientific MCIT was selected as the national contact point for the ICT thematic priority output and serving the needs of industry and the economy in general, and also complement wider activities to of FP7 and, in coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education, worked to develop and expand Egypt’s information society. raise awareness of FP7 activities and the benefits for EU members and other countries. In collaboration with the national contact point secretariat for the ICT theme in Brussels, Egypt hosted the first international networking event and “Indicators related to this Action Line can be found in the Achieving WSIS Targets: Indicators and Additional the second meeting of the EC-Egypt Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Indicators sections, where they are color-coded for convenience.” Committee in 2007. Egypt was involved in numerous FP7 projects, including JOIN-MED, a project to establish a European Union-Mediterranean ICT research network, for which MCIT hosted the third networking session, in 2011, and the EuroAfrica Partnership For more information on Egypt’s initiatives and programs related to this Action Line, please 8 project, established to enhance EU-African collaborative research in ICT and refer to Profiles of Progress, which you will find on the accompanying USB flash drive, or support the Africa-EU Strategic Partnership on Science, Information Technology and Space. scan the QR code to access the online version. The government has undertaken a number of initiatives to promote the collection, sharing and preservation of scientific data and knowledge, and to make it accessible. In this regard, MCIT and the MSSR are working to develop a comprehensive, integrated and centralized web-based platform with robust search capabilities to link research centers and institutes and establish a unified database adhering to the standards established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), as part of its efforts to serve science and development, has established a computer-aided virtual environment (CAVE) system known as VISTA (Virtual Immersive Science and Technology Applications).

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The WSIS documents stress the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity within the information society. Egypt promotes and supports the production of cultural, educational and scientific content and the development of local industries serving the linguistic and cultural needs of users in Egypt, the Arab world and beyond. In particular, Egypt has made significant progress in the field of documenting and preserving local cultural heritage through ICTs, reflecting the value and contribution of all communities in the country to the national fabric.

WSIS Action Line C8 The The IslamOf ic cOPTIOf C Cultural Diversity and Identity, Linguistic Heritage Egypt Heritage Egypt The Egyptian government seeks to develop policies that respect, preserve, promote and Diversity and Local Content enhance cultural diversity and local knowledge and traditions through the creation of varied information content in the educational, scientific and cultural heritage spheres. This desire was firmly asserted in the 2014 Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Article 48 states that

“Culture is a right of every citizen. The state shall secure and support this right and make available all types of cultural materials to all strata of the people, without any discrimination based on financial capability, geographic location or other factors. The state shall give special attention to remote areas and the neediest groups. The state shall encourage translation from and into Arabic.”

In 2012, the government established the National e-Content Committee to monitor national efforts in digital content and address the opportunities and challenges Egypt faces in this field.

Egypt’s e-Content Strategy for 2013-20 seeks to foster cooperation between government bodies, museums, libraries, cultural institutions and the private sector to: enhance the capacity of local communities to develop content and share their knowledge in the information society; build capacity for the national e-content industry; and promote the generation of Arabic- content on the internet.

Egypt has made significant progress in its efforts to support e-content creation in a number of important fields. In education and e-learning, several programs have been adopted as detailed in the e-learning section of C7 on the school and higher university levels. A number of important milestones mark this progress including the establishment of the ELCC, the adoption of the EEI, the TVET program and the adoption of the MOCs. The National Telecommunication Institute (NTI) plans to provide free online access to technical materials for the benefit of Arab youth. The Egyptian e-Learning University (EELU) is developing content for adult learners. E-learning and testing centers are being established to serve citizens across the country through partnerships with international companies and organizations. In e-government, efforts have been made in public service provision and to facilitate access to information. With the aim of reaching the largest possible audience, including those who do not use the internet, the government is assisting entrepreneurs in the development of mobile applications to deliver information and services to the public. Egypt is currently working on how best to avail open government data that will remarkably upgrade the content of e-government services. More details about e-government efforts are provided under C7.

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A prominent example of Egypt’s experience in engaging Egypt is actively engaged in cooperative efforts to local communities in content generation is the Kenana promote e-content in support of cultural heritage The Natural HeritageOf Egypt Online community development web portal, initiated preservation in the Arab region. Efforts in this area by the Egypt ICT Trust Fund (ICT-TF) to support the involve the Arab Telecommunications and Information integration of rural and urban communities in a Council of Ministers (ATICM), the Economic and Social knowledge society, empowering users through easy Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the ITU Arab MCIT has been a key player in numerous partnerships to access to knowledge and expertise to improve their Regional Office, as well as various e-content related develop and support innovative systems, technologies lives. The portal provides user-friendly applications in initiatives initiated at the World Telecommunication and infrastructure for the digital preservation and various areas of development that cater to personal Development Conference. dissemination of content relating to Egypt’s 7,000 and professional concerns, and enables and encourages years of cultural heritage. Playing a principal role in users to build an online knowledge base and provide Egypt, in cooperation with the main actors on the this field are Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA)—which their communities with information and consultancy in Arab level, started a series of regular e-content opened in 2002—and the Center for Documentation their respective fields of expertise. Since its launch in development and promotion conferences to be held of Cultural and Natural Heritage (CultNat)—established 2004, Kenana Online has grown tremendously in both annually. The first event of the series was hosted by in 2000 and affiliated to the BA and supported by MCIT. scope and popularity, and has sparked the creation of With regard to Arabic digital content in general, it MCIT in December 2013. The Sultanate of Oman is thousands of personal websites and a number of spin- is widely perceived that there is a lack of original, expected to host the following one in 2014. The BA functions as a center of excellence in the off community development portals. high-quality material available in relation to the size production and dissemination of knowledge and of the Arabic-speaking community. The government Egypt is also keen to develop the e-content industry a focal point for learning, tolerance, dialogue and In 2013, the Information Technology Industry is keen to address this gap by promoting Arabic- as a regional hub. It is, therefore, supporting multi understanding. Most importantly, the BA adopted Development Agency (ITIDA), in cooperation with the language e-content generation, born-digital material stakeholder cooperation to promote programs for several e-content programs resting on state-of-the- WSA, launched the Egypt e-Content Award, a national in particular, as well as supporting activities related to hardware and software related to standard character art technologies, a large variety of content and competition to promote creativity in local e-content in translation, localization, adaptation, digital archiving sets, language codes, translation, iconography, voice- a wide system of dissemination. This includes eight category areas. Entries are evaluated according and the combining of digital and traditional media. assisted services, electronic dictionaries, search developing systems for ensuring continued access to international standards, and winners are brought Egypt’s e-Content Strategy seeks to build on Egyptians’ engines and content referencing, as well as general to archived digital information and multimedia together with local and international innovators, growing use of the internet to promote the development and application software to strengthen the industry. content in digital repositories; and supporting entrepreneurs and businesspeople in the e-content of user-generated content catering to real needs and archives, cultural collections and libraries. More and ICT industries. Winners also have the chance to be offering quality knowledge. This is a vital area of activity Significant progress has been made with regard to details about BA programs are provided in “the Profile nominated for the WSA and other international award as the internet plays an important role in local content content related to education, business and culture, of Progress”. programs. creation, providing users the tools to create content, which is being produced by both the public and store it and disseminate it globally, contributing to the private sectors, sometimes in partnership. CultNat runs an array of programs and projects for the Activities to nurture local capacity for the creation establishment of rich repositories of knowledge. The documentation of both the tangible and intangible and dissemination of content that is relevant to internet is also a powerful platform for collaboration, While the main driver for new content is demand aspects of Egypt’s cultural and natural heritage, different segments of the population include outreach where crowdsourcing and community-based sites help for different kinds of information and services, including archaeology, architecture, manuscripts, programs for remote and underserved areas, such as aggregate and disseminate knowledge at low cost. governments can help create demand through supply- music, folklore, caricatures, plastic arts and natural Nubia and Siwa oasis. Such initiatives give support side initiatives that raise awareness among potential resources. The center also assists other organizations to media based in local communities and support In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, users. As a result of MCIT efforts to support e-content in heritage documentation in Egypt and abroad and projects combining the use of traditional media and penetration of mobile telephone services is development, the number of hits recorded by Egyptian provides professional training in this field. CultNat new technologies to facilitate the documentation and generally high and smartphone uptake is growing, websites rich in e-content is increasing, both from has received many accolades for its work, including preservation of local heritage, including landscape and including in remote and rural areas. inside and outside Egypt. Newspaper publishers, in a special mention in the e-culture category at the biodiversity. These efforts are usually comprehensive particular, are adapting to take advantage of online World Summit Award (WSA) in 2003; an award in the in nature, combining capacity building, community However, the greatest use of mobile devices relates markets, which are not restricted by national borders, culture category of the Stockholm Challenge 2003- development, e-health and e-education tracks for to applications that provide information rather than as readers around the world are switching from print 04 for the Archaeological Map of Egypt program and maximum effect. In Siwa, for example, the Siwan e-content. Notably, there is little Arabic-language to digital media. many more. The latest was a Special Mention for Heritage Documentation Project aims to document e-content produced for wireless devices, and while Pedagogy in the medium-length audiovisual category, customs, traditions, accents and dialects, crafts, hundreds of thousands of applications have been In June 2010, with authorization from the Internet for “The Temple of Dendera,” from the International art, music, poetry, sculpture, architecture, natural developed for smartphones, only a small proportion Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Council of Museums (ICOM) International Committee resources and irrigation techniques. Parallel programs of these have been developed for Arabic-language Egypt became the first country to launch an Arabic- for Audiovisual and New Technologies of Image and cover areas including training for Siwan youth on users. Given the steady growth of mobile internet language country code top-level domain (TLD). This Sound (AVICOM) in 2010. modern techniques of heritage documentation, the and smartphone use, the government is working provided a major boost for Egypt’s Arabic-language compilation of an encyclopedia of Siwan heritage and to develop Egypt’s potential in the Arabic-language e-content industry by: allowing new segments of the The creation of community content is encouraged the establishment of a local visitor center. e-content and mobile application industries to serve population, who are not familiar with English, to use the in partnership with civil society at the local and both local and international markets. internet; helping to maintain the identity of younger national levels, including through the nationwide generations; and opening new fields of investment for network of IT Clubs. Egyptian and Arab companies. Most importantly, this

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including SMEs. E-procurement drives online activity as people and businesses become accustomed to going online to acquire information about markets, employment opportunities, buying and selling, etc. Government ministries are already required to place tenders and job advertisements online. The To help foster the vibrancy of the Egyptian online community and build relevant capacities, the government ArchitecturalAND is considering the establishment of a single authority with responsibility for issues related to e-content. This Urban authority would be able to lead coordinated efforts across all fields of e-content generation, and to examine the huge opportunities for Egypt in entering untapped fields, such as gaming and entertainment. This authority HeritageE would also be able to lead efforts to measure the progress of Egypt’s digitization activities and the volume and reach of its Arabic-language content. In Egypt, public-private partnerships and other forms of cooperation have fostered the creation of varied local and national e-content, with particular progress made in the areas of education, government and heritage. The government remains fully committed to promoting and supporting the development of e-content across all fields, and digitally preserving Egypt’s heritage, cultural diversity and community knowledge, both through the output of specialist organizations and by encouraging high-quality user-generated content.

“Indicators related to this Action Line can be found in the Achieving WSIS Targets: Indicators and Additional Indicators sections, where they are color-coded for convenience.” development provides Arabic speakers with greater In order for the private sector to engage fully in content access to content that is of direct relevance to them development related to e-commerce, there needs to and in their own language, and allows government be in place a suitable legal framework for e-commerce For more information on Egypt’s initiatives and programs related to this Action Line, please authorities and private companies to reach larger and trust in online and mobile transactions. Laws refer to Profiles of Progress, which you will find on the accompanying USB flash drive, or segments of the population. It should also promote and regulations in this area need to address, among scan the QR code to access the online version. the creation of local domain name markets and allow other issues, network security, customer privacy and search engines to provide localized searches. consent, data access and use, and prevention of money laundering. Egypt has adopted a number of The government is working to enhance Egypt’s Arabic legal and regulatory measures in this area, including digital content industry to take full advantage of the e-Signature Law and the establishment of the Root the clear opportunity for Egypt to become a content Certificate Authority (CA) Trust Center, the Government development hub serving the global Arabic-speaking CA and the e-Signature CA Licensing Unit. While there community. Increasing the availability of relevant are gaps in Egyptian legislation with regard to identity Arabic-language content will promote greater uptake theft and privacy, legislators are working to address of ICTs in Egypt, create employment and export these issues in the draft cybersecurity and freedom of opportunities, and help to reduce the digital divide information laws. between English and Arabic speakers. Egypt will also benefit from the development of mobile content The government is working to encourage the and applications, which allow the efficiency and private sector, including SMEs, to create e-content reach of markets to grow as small-scale producers and m-content, particularly in Arabic, as a means to obtain market information directly, giving them a enhance their business. It also seeks to: encourage better understanding of the options for buying and business-to-business (B2B), business-to-government selling their goods and services, and decreasing their (B2G), government-to-government (G2G) and dependence on middlemen. In this context, in 2010, government-to-business (G2B) transactions; promote ITIDA in partnership with Vodafone Egypt launched online shopping in Arabic for Egyptian goods and the MobileAppsAcademy program, which provides services; and support the development of e-commerce a starting point for aspiring young Egyptians with platforms and applications for the Egyptian, Arab and ideas for mobile applications that are innovative, possibly other markets. commercially viable and relevant to the Middle East’s market. Participants have access to facilities, training, The government is also keen to promote the uptake advice and consulting, as well as the opportunity to of electronic procurement, which will have a make some money from their projects in partnership positive impact on economic development and the with the program. computerization of the business sector in general,

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The Egyptian government has adopted various initiatives to support and develop the media environment, recognizing its essential role in the information society. Egypt has invested heavily in ICT infrastructure, and seeks to fully exploit the potential of broadband in delivering media content that has traditionally been delivered through terrestrial and satellite broadcasting, thereby stimulating demand for media services and the creation of user-generated content. It also aims to ensure that citizens are properly served by the media. Egypt’s audiovisual services sector received a major boost in 2000 with the government’s establishment of the Media Free Zone in Sixth of October City, to the west of Cairo. The largest component of this zone is Egyptian Media Production City (EMPC), which covers an area of 3 square kilometers. EMPC has contributed significantly to the growth of private media and related investment in Egypt, providing a stable and reliable environment for private companies to operate. Through various incentives, covering tax, customs duties and import regulations, the government has encouraged foreign broadcasting companies to undertake news and media production in Egypt. EMPC now hosts the Nilesat earth station and most of the satellite channels originating from Egypt. WSIS Action Line C9 Unfortunately, the Media Law (Law No. 13 of 1979) takes a traditional and outdated approach to the concept of broadcasting. The law established the Egyptian Radio and Television Union Media (ERTU) to “assume all the functions and duties associated with audiovisual media and broadcasting services… at the policymaking, planning, delivery and execution levels.” The law considers broadcasting a single activity, and does not refer to the activities of content providers, conditional access service providers or network operators. As such, ERTU is both broadcaster and operator, licensed to build and manage infrastructure, manage frequencies, and prepare and broadcast programs. In the current market, many of the most popular television channels, which broadcast movies and sport, are foreign channels provided by foreign conditional access service providers. There is therefore a clear opportunity for Egyptian ventures in this area. Egypt has always been a leading source of entertainment in the Arab world, and could capitalize on this by exporting content across the Arab world. Amendment of the Media Law will allow for the liberalization of the media industry, as well as the development of converged services, the huge potential of which in Egypt remains largely untapped. The first converged services appeared in the Egyptian market in 2007, when mobile operators were granted 3G licenses and offered customers data and audiovisual services over their networks. Currently, Egyptian broadcasters and mobile network operators provide a range of news and other programing over the internet and/or mobile devices, including live and on- demand services.

67 BRANDING SOCIETY CREATIVITY ARTS VALUES A Decade of Achievement E-COMMERCE TRADITIONAL TECHNOLOGY COMPENSATION PREFERENCES SELLING EMPLOEE CROSS ACCESS SEMANTIC TECHONOLOGY REGULATION TRANSNATIONAL TRANSFORMATION PRACTICES USERS PRODUCTION INTERACTION COMPETITION MENTAL FREE In 2012, following work by MCIT and the NTRA to MCIT and the ERTU, in cooperation with IBM, have TRENDS POSITION DIGITAL develop policies that support interoperability between established an Arabic-language media portal and a BOUNDARIES TELEVISION VIDED BLOGS various communication platforms, the NTRA proposed linked news website delivering local, regional and NETWORK DATA AUDIENCE MULTIMODAL LAW the launch of a unified licensing regime, which will international news in all categories, with services CONTENTPUBLISHING ensure the development of a dynamic market where including live streaming, desktop alerts and site WEB STORYTELLING TYPES SOCIAL telecommunications service providers can offer a personalization. MULTI FACTORS DIFFUSION MEDIA DRAWING multitude of services through a variety of technologies. MCIT has also worked with various newspapers to MOBILE CONVERGENCE MODEL GAME BUSINESS EEG FIRM JOURNAL PARTICIPATION INTERACTIVE NEW With regard to fiber-optic networks, the NTRA issued assist them in the development of converged audio, PUBLIC AND two licenses, one in 2009, and one in 2010, to visual and print services for delivery via the internet EXPERIENCE OF NEWSBOOKS install and operate converged telecommunications and mobile devices. These include Al Tahrir Printing SYSYEM COMMUNICATION OPEN MANAGEMENTINTERNET networks in gated communities outside Cairo with and Publishing House, which publishes the daily Al STAKEHOLDERS less than 10,000 housing units. The licenses allow for Gomhouria newspaper, and Al-Ahram Establishment. NEWSPAPER INFORMATIONDIVERGENCE the provision of triple-play services over broadband ORGANIZATION ITS EVOLUTION GPS connections. SPEECH INNOVATION INDUSTRY URSAN GESTURE ONLINE COMMUNITIES DESIGN MODELS HUMAN-COMPUTER TVDOUBLE STANDARDS On the regional level, MCIT has participated in a number PERMEABILITY NETWORKS VIRTUAL TRANS NEWSPAPERMARKET THEORY BORDERS ADAPTATION USABILITY SYSTEMS GAMES SECOND ADVERTISING CONSTRAINTS SCREEN CRITISM of seminars addressing the convergence of ICT and MARKETS LEARNING OPTIMIZATION INTELIGENT PERCEPTION NOVICE CLUSTERING broadcasting services and the need for both a unified interface able to support multiple service models and a While the establishment of a solid local ecosystem for Another type of data license, covering global peering, full-fledged ecosystem to support converged services. media convergence requires the amendment of the allows licensees to build and operate the infrastructure Media Law, Egypt has many of the building blocks necessary to connect Class A and Class B licensees, In Egypt, the spread of networked digital information already in place in terms of telecommunications, where electronic content providers, domain name providers and communications technologies is reshaping life in legislation has successfully liberalized the market. and data centers. the social, political, economic and cultural spheres. Moreover, amendments to the Telecommunication The government is keen to promote the development Regulation Law in 2011 addressed audiovisual With regard to mobile service provision, the NTRA of new and interactive media, including social media broadcasting with respect to telecommunications, as provides two types of license for voice and data platforms and the integration of ICTs in media, and has well as spectrum allocation and the status of state services: undertaken a number of initiatives in this area. media. 2G: allowing licensees to employ 2G technologies The National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority Privately owned media have established a strong to provide prepaid and postpaid voice services, (NTRA) has worked to establish a transparent and online presence, and Al-Masry Al-Youm and Al-Youm roaming, instant messaging, short message service predictable licensing framework for telecommunications Al-Sabe’a now dominate the online news sector in (SMS), SMS to e-mail, multimedia messaging operations and services, and issues individual or class terms of visitor numbers. licenses for all telecommunications network operators service (MMS), voice mail, call barring, call waiting, and service providers. At present there are three call forwarding, conference calling, missed call The government’s success in spreading ICT access and classes of data service license, as follows: notification, file download, data transfer and other usage, and facilitating the free circulation of news services and information, has led to the growth of audience participation in the news process, with “citizen 3G: allowing licenses to employ broadband 3G journalists” and bloggers forcing the traditionally pro- Class A: allowing licensees to set up, manage technologies to provide services including video government industry to consider its audience more and operate the core infrastructure necessary to calling, video messaging, file download, audio/ carefully. provide internet services video streaming and high-speed data transfer In light of this trend, and issues related to the January Class B: allowing licensees to set up, manage and 2011 Revolution, the government has prioritized the operate the core infrastructure necessary to provide All three mobile network operators – Etisalat Egypt, development of a code of ethics, addressing themes local and international data transfer services, and to Mobinil and Vodafone Egypt – are currently operating including press freedom, journalistic standards and the provide interconnection services with international on the basis of 2G and 2.5G Global System for Mobile safety of journalists. The committee responsible for networks for local and international data transfer Communications (GSM) licenses. Additionally, all drafting the 2014 Constitution of the Arab Republic of three companies have 15-year 3G service licenses Egypt incorporated proposals made by the Syndicate Class C: allowing licensees to provide Free Internet and provide converged services, which include mobile of Journalists and the Supreme Council for the Press services at the same tariff as fixed telephony calls audiovisual content in the news, entertainment, prohibiting press censorship, except in wartime, and sports, music and games categories and live streaming the closure of newspapers without a court ruling. of satellite television channels.

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Article 70 guarantees the freedom of the press in creating, publishing With regard to the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) deadline of 2015 for digital broadcast migration, and disseminating print, visual, audio and electronic publications, and Egypt is one of four countries in the Middle East and about 30 in Africa that have been given a five-year extension accords every Egyptian, whether a natural or legal, public or private to address challenges involving technology, standards, licensing, investment in infrastructure and the need for person, the right to own and issue newspapers and establish visual, people to replace their equipment. audio and digital media outlets. The government is working to foster a supportive environment for both traditional and new forms of media, Article 71 prohibits the censoring, confiscation, suspension or shutting and to promote and support convergence, through a range of activities covering, among other areas, legislation down of Egyptian newspapers and media outlets in any way, except and regulations, capacity building, and cooperation on the regional and international levels. In this context, the for possible limited censorship in times of war or general mobilization, government has identified and is working to address certain priority areas, including revision of the Media Law and stipulates that custodial sentences shall not be imposed for and the development of regulations and licensing arrangements, with the aim of allowing Egypt to capitalize on publication crimes. the huge potential of converged ICT and media services and to expand the information society. Article 72 obliges the state to ensure the independence of all state- owned press institutions and media outlets, ensuring their neutrality, their presentation of all political and intellectual opinions and trends “Indicators related to this Action Line can be found in the Achieving WSIS Targets: Indicators and Additional as well as social interests, and guaranteeing equality and equal Indicators sections, where they are color-coded for convenience.” opportunities in addressing public opinion. The constitution also stipulates the various entities involved, as follows: For more information on Egypt’s initiatives and programs related to this Action Line, please Article 211: “The Supreme Council for the Regulation of Media is an refer to Profiles of Progress, which you will find on the accompanying USB flash drive, or independent entity that has a legal personality, and enjoys technical, scan the QR code to access the online version. financial and administrative independence, and has an independent budget. The council shall be competent to regulate the affairs of audio and visual media and regulate the printed and digital press, and other media. The council shall bear the responsibility for guaranteeing and protecting the freedom of press and media as stipulated in the constitution, safeguarding its independence, neutrality, plurality and diversity, preventing monopolistic practices, monitoring the legality of the sources of funding of press and media institutions, and developing the controls and criteria necessary to ensure compliance by the press and media outlets with the professional and ethical standards, and national security needs, as stated in the law…” Article 212: “The National Press Organization is an independent organization that shall manage and develop state-owned press institutions and their assets, as well as ensure their modernization, independence, neutrality and their adherence to good professional, administrative and economic standards…” Article 213: “The National media Organization is an independent organization that shall manage and develop state-owned visual, audio and digital media outlets and their assets, as well as ensure their development, independence, neutrality and their adherence to good professional, administrative and economic standards…”

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The WSIS outcomes state that the information society should be subject to universally held values, promote the common good and prevent abusive uses of ICTs. Egypt recognizes the importance of these goals and is actively engaged in efforts on the local, national, regional and international levels to ensure that the information society can develop and grow in an open, inclusive and fair manner.

Over the last decade, the internet has had a profound impact on life in the personal, public, political and economic spheres.

WSIS Action Line C10 Ethical Dimensions of the Information Society

The social and political power of the internet is undeniable, as is evident in the last few years of Egypt’s history. In dealing with the internet, the Egyptian government has sought to strike a balance between the right of citizens to access and exchange information and the need to maintain a level of security to protect both individual and national interests. At the beginning of the January 2011 Revolution, the governing authorities enforced Article 67 of the Telecommunication Regulation Law, which allows them, for reasons of national security and/or general mobilization, according to Law No. 78 of 1960, to take full control of communications networks and services. The internet was effectively shut down for a number of days and mobile services were suspended in Cairo, Alexandria and other areas of the country. Following the revolution and in light of the growing importance of freedom of expression, MCIT initiated a community dialogue, in an open manner, on amendment of the Telecommunication Regulation Law. The dialogue, organized by the Information Technology Institute (ITI) in collaboration with the National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA), gathered ICT experts, prominent international and constitutional law specialists, representatives from civil society and the media. Discussion focused on accessibility rather than prevention, the safeguarding of freedom of information and expression, and the protection of citizens’ privacy in communication networks. Following the dialogue, MCIT’s Laws and Regulations Committee produced the final draft and the law was amended pending parliament approval.

On the international level, Egypt supports the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Code of Ethics for the Information Society, which offers a common framework for the setting out of commitments to ethical conduct in order to foster respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, extend the public domain of information, enable diversity and promote access.

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The concepts of media literacy and digital citizenship are society and individuals, to: promote utilization of the both addressed in MCIT’s strategies. The nine elements internet to develop Egypt’s economy and knowledge- of digital citizenship (digital access, digital commerce, based society; secure internet access across all sectors digital communication, digital literacy, digital etiquette, of society; promote online freedom of expression and digital law, digital rights and responsibilities, digital the free flow of information; implement educational health and wellness, and digital security) have been and capacity-building initiatives; provide an open promoted on the local level through awareness-raising forum for the discussion of internet-related issues of sessions implemented by the ICT-TF Outreach Team importance to the community; provide a platform for across the country. In education, an agreed upon policy sharing information, knowledge and expertise; and is being promoted to engage school administrations in promote links and cooperation between local and guiding and protecting students. international stakeholders. National efforts to raise awareness of internet safety also include the distribution of educational internet Additionally, a number of other civil society safety posters to over 750 nonprofit organizations organizations with broader remits are addressing through the “Protect Yourself and Your Reputation” internet-related issues within the context of and “Keep Our Children Safe” campaigns; the provision safeguarding universal human rights and freedoms. The Code of Ethics encourages all stakeholders to and the Ministry of Education, launched a project to of internet safety training to 300 trainers across the increase their awareness of the ethical dimensions provide training for primary and secondary school nationwide network of IT Clubs; and the distribution of The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, for example, of their use of ICTs, to develop and adopt policies teachers on the inclusion of ICTs in curricula and how internet safety and security newsletters to over 1,200 views internet freedom as a basic human right that to protect privacy and personal data, and to take to teach students about the various implications of IT professionals and educators. should be protected by legislation. appropriate action against abusive uses of ICTs. ICT use. The project, which focuses on remote areas Over the last 10 years, Egypt has sought to develop and small villages, using videoconferencing facilities In June 2011, Egypt was invited to attend the stakeholders’ awareness of the ethical dimension where necessary, aims to speed up the diffusion of ICT Organization for Economic Cooperation and of their use of ICTs through efforts targeting, among use and awareness among younger generations. Development (OECD) High-Level Meeting on the The private sector has supported these efforts. others, individuals, families and educational institutions Internet Economy as one of the key players on the Microsoft introduced an Arabic version of its “STOP. and those who work and study in them, as well as In the area of child online protection (COP), Egypt Internet Governance arena and a prominent country THINK. CONNECT” campaign, and has reached more through local, regional and international platforms and adopts sound measures related to the creation, within the Arab region. The OECD Secretariat, the than 200,000 children, youth and parents across the organizations. As the information society continues to storage and dissemination of child pornography Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) country through awareness campaigns and workshops grow, Egypt remains committed to continuing its work material in line with international agreements and and the Internet Technical Advisory Committee (ITAC) on internet safety, security and privacy, with a in this important field with the aim of ensuring that treaties to protect children’s rights. endorsed then the OECD Communiqué on Principles focus on helping Egyptians from disadvantaged and the rights of all are respected and that all stakeholders for Internet Policymaking. The communiqué calls on marginalized groups to benefit from computers and fulfill their responsibilities. Based on the firm belief that child online safety stakeholders to: promote and protect the global free the internet, thereby increasing digital inclusion. is a shared responsibility, the government formed flow of information; promote the open, distributed Internet safety, security and privacy training has also a multistakeholder committee on COP including and interconnected nature of the internet; promote been integrated into the Microsoft Partners in Learning “Indicators related to this Action Line can be representatives from government entities, civil investment and competition in high-speed networks (PIL) teacher training program. found in the Achieving WSIS Targets: Indicators society, the private sector and academia. In support of and services; promote and enable the cross-border and Additional Indicators sections, where they are these efforts, Egypt’s main ISPs signed an agreement Other private sector involvement includes Mobinil, delivery of services; encourage multistakeholder color-coded for convenience.” in 2010 to work to combat child pornography on the Vodafone Egypt, Oracle and Cisco, in addition to the cooperation in policy development processes; foster internet and raise awareness of the issue and the risks GSM Association (GSMA), which partnered with Egypt voluntarily developed codes of conduct; develop children may face online. to conduct studies in 2011 and 2013 on trends in capacities to bring publicly available, reliable data mobile usage on the national level and comparatively For more information on Egypt’s initiatives and into the policymaking process; ensure transparency, To raise awareness of COP-related issues on the on the Arab level. programs related to this Action Line, please refer fair process and accountability; strengthen consistency international level, MCIT has held and participated in to Profiles of Progress, which you will find on and effectiveness in privacy protection at a global various workshops, including a workshop it held at the NGOs are also promoting safe and ethical use of the the accompanying USB flash drive, or scan the QR level; maximize individual empowerment; promote 2012 Arab Internet Governance Forum on “Protecting internet. Within Egypt, Internet Masr, the local chapter code to access the online version. creativity and innovation; limit internet intermediary Children Online: Assessing Blocking and Self-Regulation of the Internet Society (ISOC), focuses on internet- liability; encourage cooperation to promote internet in the Arab Region.” The ministry is also working in related standards, education and policy by providing a security; and give appropriate priority to enforcement cooperation with the Egypt ICT Trust Fund (ICT-TF) to platform that fosters community engagement in efforts efforts. educate groups of teachers, young people and parents to promote the internet as a key tool for empowering about internet-related principles and to spread this Egyptian society. It works in a truly multistakeholder With a view to raising awareness of ethical, legal and knowledge across the population. fashion, with a membership that includes government societal issues related to ICTs, the Egyptian National bodies, educational institutions, private companies, civil Commission for UNESCO, in partnership with UNESCO

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The Egyptian government recognizes the need for the cooperation of all stakeholders in the implementation of the WSIS Plan of Action. In line with WSIS outcomes, Egypt has raised the relative priority of ICT projects in requests for international cooperation and assistance from developed countries and international financial organizations, while at the same time directing considerable local effort and investment into ICT-based development projects. Egypt is also an active participant in regional and international forums engaged in setting international agendas to support the achievement of WSIS goals. Egypt supports the Digital Solidarity Agenda, which was established through the WSIS to put in place the conditions for mobilizing human, financial and technological resources for inclusion of all in the emerging information society through close national, regional and international cooperation among all stakeholders. The Digital Solidarity Agenda also promotes the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by supporting development plans in education, health, government and other key areas on both the implementation and policymaking levels. In terms of project implementation, Egypt has relied on various cooperation mechanisms WSIS Action Line C11 to achieve its ICT4D targets and develop its plans. Regional, international and bilateral cooperation have played an important role in the development of Egypt’s ICT sector. At the International and Regional Cooperation same time, the government has been equally focused on policymaking, and has played an active role in international dialogues and decision-making forums related to the WSIS, its outcomes and the follow-up process, including through the hosting of various meetings. The government’s focus on developing strong regional and international relationships with stakeholders in all fields of ICT has enabled it to contribute to the formulation of policies and regulations in a number of areas critical to the development of the ICT sector on the international level, while ensuring that the ICT sector in Egypt is able to adjust and respond successfully to global challenges and opportunities.

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frameworks; the Competitiveness and Innovation In 2007, MCIT and the UNDP launched “Empowering On the regional level, MCIT has played a key role over the last decade in developing common objectives for Framework Program, which targets SMEs, supporting and Connecting the Community through ICT: Egypt – the growth of the ICT sector in the Arab region. innovation activities and encouraging use of ICTs; and Emergence of the Regional Digital Hub,” a six-year the annual National Indicative Program, which aims project to develop and upgrade universal access Much of the work in this area, including the sharing of knowledge and experience, has been implemented by to support reform, develop the competitiveness and policies and strategies; support ICT applications; Arab ICT ministries under the framework of the League of Arab States. A leading regional voice in ICT, Egypt is a productivity of the Egyptian economy, and ensure the promote innovation; enhance the legal and regulatory member of the executive bureau of the Arab Telecommunications and Information Council of Ministers (ATICM), sustainability of the development process. enabling environment; support human resources the Arab Regulators Network (ARNET) and all specialized Arab working groups established to follow up the training and development; and establish knowledge- In 2007, MCIT was chosen to be the national contact outcomes of the WSIS. Egypt is part of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Arab Regional Office’s sharing and internal management support systems. point for the ICT thematic priority of the European initiative for free open source software, has initiated a number of regional projects, including the Memory of Commission Seventh Framework Program for Research the Arab World project, and is one of the main parties involved in the formulation of Arab views and proposals In the field of policy development, Egypt has and Technological Development (FP7). Under the for the ITU. benefitted greatly from cooperation with the Framework Program, Egypt has participated in the World Bank. Mediterranean Information Society project (MED-IST), designed to identify and assist research organizations Through various Reimbursable Technical Assistance in Mediterranean countries that could benefit from EU- (RTA) agreements, the World Bank has provided capacity-building programs in outsourcing and network funded research in information society technologies, technical assistance for MCIT, ENPO, the NTRA and Egypt is also engaged in various forms of ICT- security in the first phase of the Nile ICT Corridor and MAP-IT, set up to facilitate access for non-EU ITIDA, in areas including capacity building and the related cooperation with the countries of Africa, Initiative. The initiative aims to promote cooperation Euromed partners to knowledge and resources on formulation of policy and regulations covering and integration in support of development and the information society-related skills, technologies and convergence, a second fixed-line license, broadband, where it has been a strong proponent of the need formation of information societies and knowledge- competencies. green ICT, electronic signatures, software piracy, for the exchange of expertise and experience. MCIT based economies in the Nile Basin region. shares the belief of various international organizations intellectual property, cybersecurity and postal reform. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) that the African ICT community must fully engage in MCIT’s cooperation with the United Nations Conference On the bilateral level, Egypt has benefitted from has been an indispensable partner in the growth ongoing international dialogue on ICT-related issues on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has focused cooperation through high-level working groups and development of Egypt’s ICT sector. to ensure the development of policies and regulations and joint projects with a large number of countries, on assessment, monitoring and developing key that reflect the needs of the continent. To this end, indicators for a thorough measurement of progress. in development projects covering areas including It has worked with the government in various ICT Egypt was the founder of the African Ministerial At the request of MCIT, UNCTAD produced the ICT infrastructure establishment, capacity building sector-related projects to facilitate the development Council of ICTs back in 2008, and chaired its first Policy Review of Egypt, which it released in 2011. and training, e-services, and innovation and process related to various organizational, legislative two sessions to set the foundation of the its work The review, which was compiled in 2009-10 and entrepreneurship. and regulatory framework issues; foster the promotion and stabilize its objectives in addition to helping in focused on selected policies and initiatives contained of the information society through engaging civil reaching out for the different international fora. Egypt in Egypt´s ICT Strategy for 2007-10, highlights Egypt’s The European Union (EU) has been a solid partner society and non-governmental organizations; and also participates in all African meetings relevant to ICT main achievements and challenges in the ICT field, in the development of Egypt’s ICT sector and in help better integrate Egypt into the global information and has offered to share its knowledge and expertise and provides recommendations, in selected focus Egypt’s drive to achieve various development goals. society. as required. In this context, MCIT provided support for areas, to help shape inputs into subsequent national the development of implementation mechanisms for In order to facilitate cooperation with this important The UNDP has provided institutional and capacity- ICT strategies. the African Regional Action Plan on the Knowledge group of countries, Egypt has been engaged in a number building support for MCIT since its establishment, Economy (ARAPKE), which focuses on developing ICT of twinning projects with the EU targeting to harmonize covering, among other areas, staff recruitment Egypt is actively engaged in ITU activities related infrastructure, ICT in education, youth and women’s a number of ICT policies, laws and regulations in areas and training, policymaking and analysis, as well as to the implementation of WSIS recommendations. empowerment, e-learning, e-content, and capacity such as Post and Telecom Regulations. Moreover, Egypt consultancy services. building for potential ICT leaders and policymakers. cooperates with countries in the Euro-Mediterranean MCIT sends high-level delegations to the ITU annual region in many different ways, from partnership In 2002, MCIT and the UNDP established the Egypt ICT forums concerning the WSIS follow-up, participates In particular, Egypt seeks to strengthen relations agreements and bilateral collaboration to investment, Trust Fund (ICT-TF) as a mechanism to investigate the in the ITU-WSIS stocktaking process and the Council among the countries of the Nile Basin with a view research and development, and the establishment different means by which ICTs can enrich the livelihood Working Group on WSIS, is a member of several ITU to developing the channels of communication and and maintenance of international telecommunication of Egyptian citizens and to foster socioeconomic study groups and focus groups, including the ITU regulatory frameworks necessary for successful political cables. development by creating public-private partnerships Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) and economic cooperation. MCIT and its affiliates have to support the use of ICTs. The ICT-TF currently sponsors Study Group 5 (SG5) on Environment and Climate provided training programs and expertise to countries The various axes of cooperation between Egypt and projects in six main sectors: community development; Change, and is leading the Council Working Group on around the region in fields including free competition, the EU include the EU-Egypt Association Agreement, agriculture; education; health; ICTs for persons with Child Online Protection. integration, cybersecurity, computer emergency which covers, among other areas, information society, disabilities; and ICTs for micro, small and medium response teams, user rights, quality assurance, research, innovation, education and culture; programs enterprises (MSMEs). broadband services and the documentation of natural and projects funded within regional or bilateral heritage. In 2012, MCIT began implementation of

78 79 A Decade of Achievement

MCIT is a member of the Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development, a MCIT and its affiliates have representatives in the Information Computer and Communications Policy (ICCP) multistakeholder initiative launched in 2004 by the ITU, the Organization Committee’s four working parties, on: communications infrastructure and services policy; the information for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), UNCTAD and various economy; information security and privacy; and indicators on the information society. MCIT has also taken part other UN organizations aimed at improving the availability and quality in a number of workshops organized by the ICCP Committee on various issues and values highly the insight of internationally comparable ICT statistics, and helping policymakers and views raised, as well as policy guideline documents produced by the group on issues of concern, which are produce statistics that are crucial to informed decision-making. In this frequently incorporated into the ministry’s short- and long-term strategies. context, MCIT established the Arab ICT Indicators Portal, which serves as An important activity undertaken by the OECD, in cooperation with the Ministry of State for Administrative an important resource for policymakers in Arab countries. Development (MSAD), was the production and publication of OECD e-Government Studies: Egypt 2013, which analyses e-government implementation in the country and presents a series of recommendations for action. Cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has enabled Egypt to enrich its Egypt strongly supports the development and enhancement of regional and international cooperation platforms, efforts in the various areas of WSIS activity under the organization’s which allow all countries to contribute to the shaping of international priorities and to explore different opportunities mandate, for capacity building and development. Egypt views the WSIS process as an important and open-ended channel of learning and follow-up that supports both local achievement and international cooperation. Today more than which include e-content, ICT ethics, ICTs for persons with disabilities, ever, Egypt and other emerging economies are in need of international support to continue their work towards information literacy and multilingualism. Egypt took part in the UNESCO the MDGs and post-MDG targets. Egypt therefore urges the international community, and developed countries forum “Towards Knowledge Societies for Peace and Sustainable in particular, to continue their valuable efforts in all areas of ICT4D activity through partnerships that match the Development” in February 2013, and is a member of UNESCO’s needs and challenges of the developing world. network of experts within the Information for All Program (IFAP), an intergovernmental program established in 2000 that prioritizes information for development, information literacy, information preservation, information ethics and information accessibility. “Indicators related to this Action Line can be found in the Achieving WSIS Targets: Indicators and Additional Indicators sections, where they are color-coded for convenience.” Cooperation with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has been instrumental in raising awareness of issues related to ICTs For more information on Egypt’s initiatives and programs related to this Action Line, please and the environment. refer to Profiles of Progress, which you will find on the accompanying USB flash drive, or scan the QR code to access the online version. Egypt has joined several workshops organized by UNEP and the ITU concerning the role of ICTs in protecting the environment, and mitigating and adapting to climate change. Egypt has promoted this agenda strongly through its work in ITU-T SG5 and through its support for the ITU-T Focus Group on Smart Water Management, established in 2013.

Egypt is a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council’s (ECOSOC) Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) Working Group on Improvements to the Internet Governance Forum.

A proposal submitted by Egypt at a group meeting in November 2011 has been used as a guide to achieve greater consensus among stakeholders.

Egypt’s involvement in the activities of various OECD committees has had a strong influence on the development of the country’s ICT- related policy and strategies.

80 81 A Decade of Achievement

Achieving WSIS Targets: Indicators 1.4’: Proportion of individuals using the Internet, by location 70.4 Friends 68 45.8 Education places Target 1. Connect all villages with ICTs and establish100 community access points 70.4 45 Friends 68 1.2 Connecting to the Internet from home was IT clubs 1 45.8 5.1 the most common in 2011 and 2012, with 80 Education places 45 Internet café 5 1.1: Proportion of households with telephone, by type of network 1.2 Work 6.8 81% and 83% respectively, followed by 60 IT clubs 5

% 1 connecting to the Internet83.1 at friends and 100 5.1 Home Internet café 5 educational sites. 81 40 98Most of households96.4 are connected96.6 through landline 0 20 40 60 80 100 80 networks within the period 2011 – 2013; an average Work 6.8 20 5 2012 2011 60 of 97% of telephones were landline networks, Home 83.1 % 2 3.6 3.4 81 0 compared to an average of 3% for CDMA networks. 40 98 96.4 96.6 2011 2012 2013 0 20 40 60 80 100

20 CDMA Land lines 50 2012 2011 39.5% 44% 2 3.6 3.4 1.4’’: Proportion of individuals using the Internet, by urban/rural status 0 2011 2012 2013 40 50 45.5% 16.4 19.5 50 CDMA Land lines 30 Proportion of individuals using Internet increased 39.5% 44% 41% % 40 to reach 44% of total Egyptians sampled in 2012, 40 201.2: Proportion of households with telephone, by urban/rural status 30% 20 compared to 39% in 2011. Similarly the proportion 16.4 19.5 30 17 30

23 24.5 % % of individuals using Internet in rural areas increased 50 10 During 2013, 10% of Egyptian10 households in rural 45.5% 20 41% to reach 19.5% of total Egyptians sampled in 2012, 20 areas had telephones lines, compared to 20% 40 0 compared to 16.4% in 2011, with a 19% growth rate. 23 24.5 20 30% 10 26during 2011.24 Landline telephone20 usage is decaying 2011 2012 10 30 17 over time due to widespread mobile usage. % 10 Urban Rural 0 0 2011 2012 2011 2012 2013 20 Urban Rural Urban Rural 10 26 24 20

0 2011 2012 2013 Other Indicators 60 Urban Rural 53.1% 94.1 94 96 47.7% 49.6% 100 A1.1: Proportion of households using computers,50 by urban/rural statusstatus 1.3’: Proportion of households with Internet access, by type of access 80 40 23.7 25 25

60 % The proportion of Egyptian households using 100 94.1 94 96 Almost all households (96%) were connected to the 47.7% 49.6% 53.1% 30 60 50 computers and living in rural areas increased during % internet through fixed broadband during year 2013, 80 23.7 25 25 20 the period 2011 – 2013 from 23.7% to 25%. 40compared to mobile broadband connection at 10%. 40 24 24.9 28.1 60 Mobile broadband internet connection increased % 30 10 % 20during the period (2011 – 2013) by an average 0 40 3.1 6.1 10 20 2011 2012 2013 24 24.9 28.1 0annual growth of 80% indicating a very promising 2011 2012 2013 10 Urban Rural 20 10 internet access facility. 3.1 6.1 0 0 Fixed broadband Mobile broadband 2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013 Urban 27.3%Rural 40 48% 30 35% Fixed36.5% broadband Mobile broadband 26.5% 35 25 A1.2: Proportion of individuals using mobile with 3G, by urban/rural status 30 1.3’’: Proportion of households with Internet access, by urban/rural status 20.4% 14 16 17 20 12.5 11.8 25 27.3% % % Egyptian individuals using 3G-equipped mobiles 30 Underlining the key target of connecting all villages, 40 48% 26.5% 20 35% 36.5% 15 the proportion of households with Internet access 35 11.2reached 27% of the total sampled in 2013--rising 25 15 20.4% 21 20 21 30 10 from 20.4% 14in 2011, a growth15.6 rate of 34%. 10 increased in the period 2011 -2013 from 14% to 14 16 17 20 12.5 11.8

25 5 9.2 % 5 17% with a 21% growth rate. % 15 20 11.2 0 0 15 10 15.6 2011 2012 2013 21 20 21 2011 2012 2013 14 Urban Rural 10 Urban Rural 5 9.2 5 0 0 2011 2012 2013 2011 2012 2013 Urban Rural Urban Rural

82 83 A Decade of Achievement

300000 253,708 250000 A1.3: Dial-up Internet subscribers by region Target 2. Connect all secondary schools and primary schools with ICTs 200000 300000 150000 253,708 Over the past112,764 three years, dial-up subscribers have 2.1: Proportion of schools with a radio used for educational purposes 250000 Subscribers 100000been declining because of 77,873 the new and faster 38 200000 50000Internet access modes48,740 like ADSL. 31,728 Solely, Cairo 40 21,548 15,253 36 Proportion of schools with radios used for educational constituted 39% of the total4,440 dial-up10,689 users in2,865 2011, 35 150000 0 purposes decreased from 38% in 2011 to reach 36% 112,764 reachingCairo 21,548Delta subscribers. Alex & Upper Sinai, Red Sea 30 Subscribers 100000 77,873 Matrouh Egypt & Canal 25 in 2012. This decline is mainly attributed to the 50000 48,740 31,728 % declining significance of using radio in educational 21,548 15,253 2008 2009 2010 2011 20 4,440 10,689 2,865 purposes, as more advanced equipment are currently 0 15 Cairo Delta Alex & Upper Sinai, Red Sea Matrouh Egypt & Canal 10 available. 2008 2009 2010 2011 5 0 2011 2012 A1.4: ADSL subscribers by region

Cairo enjoys the highest ADSL usage compared 2.2: Proportion of schools with a television used for educational purposespurposes to other regions in Egypt. Around 56% of ADSL 19% 56% 76 subscribers in Egypt live in Cairo, while 19% of ADSL Following the same trend as radios, the proportion 80 12% 70 subscribers live in the Nile Delta region. Cairo of schools with televisions used for educational 70 60 Delta purposes had decreased from 76% in 2011 to reach 7% 50 70% in 2012. % Alex & Matrouh 40 Upper Egypt 30 6% 20 Sinai, Red Sea & Canal 10 0 120 2011 2012 100 A1.5: IT clubs distributed by region 29% 28% 27% 26% 26% 80 120 5% 6% 5% 6% 6% 2.3: Learners to computer ratio The% 60 greatest concentration of IT clubs is in Upper 100 Egypt. IT clubs32% started36% as an 37%initiative36% to spread36% ICT in 35 31.5 The learners-to-computer ratio improved during the 29% 28% 27% 26% 26% 40 30.3 80 remote, poor and under-serviced areas. This explains 30 5% 6% 5% 6% 6% period 2011 – 2012, declining from 31.5% in 2011 % 20 25 60 why the largest33% proportion31% 31%of IT clubs33% (36%)33% were to 30.3% in 2012. The improvement indicates an

32% 36% 37% 36% 36% located in under-developed Upper Egypt during the % 20 alleviated focus on equipping schools with more 40 0 period 20072007 –2011.2008 2009 2010 2011 15 computers. 20 10 33% 31% 31% 33% 33% Lower Egypt Upper Egypt 0 5 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Border Governorates Banking transactions 2% Urban Governorates 0 2% 2011 2012 Buying goods and services 5% Lower Egypt 7% Upper Egypt Dealing with governmental entities 11% Border Governorates10% Urban Governorates Getting information on goods and service 22% A1.6: Internet activities undertaken20% in IT clubs 40 49 48% Getting info. About gov. Entities via their websites 32% 50 2.4: Proportion35% of schools with36.5% Internet access, by type of access 27% 35 Getting information about health and health services 24% Banking transactions 2% The majority of IT club 29% visitors 2% 40 Reading and downloading e-books 33% Buying goods and services 5% 30 50 49 36% 7% In an attempt14 to increase16 the efficiency17 of the use the Internet for educational36% Dealing with governmental entities 11% 25 Downloading games and songs 10% 30 use of ICTs in schools, the proportion of schools % 40% % 26 Getting information on goods and service 22% 40 Playingpurposes via the internet (72%), while almost half43% 20% connected20 to the internet through fixed broadband 44% Getting info. About gov. Entities via their websites 32% useCommunication the Internet for communicating 51% 27% 20 has 15 increased from 26% in 2011 to reach 49% in 30 50% Getting information about health and health services 24% % 26 60% 29% 21 20 21 Education, and educational(50%). purposes More than one third of the 72% 33% 2012.10 While only 3% of schools connected8 to the Reading and downloading e-books 36% 10 20 visitors (36%) read and download 36% 3 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Downloading games and songs 40% internet5 through mobile broadband in 2011, slightly 43% 8 e-books during their visits. Playing via the internet 44% 0 increased0 to 8% in 2012. 10 51% 2011 2012 3 Communication 50% 2011 2012 2013 60% 0 2010 2011 Education, and educational purposes 72% Fixed broadbandUrban Mobile Ruralbroadband 2011 2012 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Fixed broadband Mobile broadband

2010 2011 84 85 A Decade of Achievement

Other Indicators A2.5: The impact of using ICT in increasing teachers efficiency (according to managers’ perspectives)

No change A2.1: Proportion of schools using computers for educational purposes 11% ICT services improve teachers’ performance, helping them to present academic materials in 78 80 more interesting styles. 80 The proportion of schools using computers for Clarify materials 63% content 70 educational purposes increased from 78% in 2011 60 to 80% in 2012, growing by 2.5%. Make materials more 50 interesting 69% % 40 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 30 20 10 0 A2.6: The impact of using ICT on students performance (according to managers’ perspectives) 2011 2012

74.5 76.5 ICT services improve students’ performance 80 Facilitating materials’ A2.2: Proportion of teachers using computers and internet in educational process as using them in the educational process 44% 70 delivery proved to stimulate information and 60 Making materials more 74.5 76.5 knowledge for students. 62% 50The proportion of teachers using computers and 80 interesting % 40Internet in educational process increased during 70 29.5 32 60 Stimulating student’s 30the period 2011-2012, by a growth rates of 2.6% 64% 50 information and Knowledge

20and 8.4% respectively. This gradual usage increase % 40 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% is expected to continue as teachers receive special 29.5 32 10 30 0training on ICT usages in education. 2011 2012 20 10 Target 3. Connect all scientific and research centers with ICTs Using computers Using internet 0 2011 2012 100 Using computers Using internet Other Indicators 83 84 A2.3: Proportion of students using computers and internet80 in schools 61 62 A3.2: Proportion of businesses doing R&D 60 100 % 84% of school students used computers in 2012, 83 84 40while 62% used Internet. The proportion of students 20 The proportion of businesses doing R&D increased 80 18 using computers and Internet in schools slightly 15.8 from 15.8% in 2011 to 18% in 2012, a growth rate 61 62 15 60 20increased during the period 2011-2012, by a growth of 14%. %

rate of 1% each. % 0 40 2011 2012 10 20 Using computers Using internet 5 0 2011 2012 0 2011 2012 Using computers Using internet 40 48% A2.4: The impact35% of using ICT 36.5%in increasing schools performance (according to managers’ perspectives) 35 A3.2: The effects of R&D on the activity of businesses 30 ICT services improve14 schools’16 overall 17 performance,25 as using ICT services No change 20.7 Conducting R&D helps to raise the helped% 20 school staff to productively efficiency of businesses, especially Reduce production costs 5 Decision 32.6 Reduce environmental harm 2 accomplish15 administrative21 work20 and 21 through improving quality of goods raise10 the efficiency of planning and and services provided and increasing Improven quality of goods & services 9.3 Planning and follow-up efficiency 43.3 follow5 up capabilities. company sales. Increase company sales 8 0 Acomplishing adminstrative work 2011 2012 2013 71 Enter new markets 4 Urban Rural % 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 % 0 2 4 6 8 10

86 87 A Decade of Achievement

Target 4. Connect all public libraries, museums, post offices and national archives with ICTs 5.3: Level of use of computers and the Internet to manage individual patient information

60 4.1: Proportion of public libraries with broadband internet access 46 52 The level of use of computers and the Internet to 50 manage individual patient information increased 0.35 40 from 46% in 2011 to reach 52% in 2012, a 13% 0.29 0.28 0.31 At a negligible proportion of 0.31% in 2013, the % 0.30 30 growth rate. 0.25 government of Egypt realizes the challenge ahead in connecting more libraries to broadband. Hence, 20

% 0.20 this target lies at the core of national and social 0.15 10 targets within the framework of the e-Misr plan, the 0.10 0 national broadband strategy for Egypt. 2011 2012 0.05 0.00 2011 2012 2013 Other Indicators

4.2: Proportion of public libraries providing public internet access A5.1:100 Proportion of hospitals with computers, mobiles and Internet 83 0.29 0.28 0.28 79.5 Internet access from public libraries is important to boost 0.30 80 In 2011, 79.5% of hospitals were equipped with open access. It remains among the challenges addressed 100 0.25 computers.60 This proportion increased to reach52 83% 83 in the roll-out program of public online services in the % 51 47.6 79.5 0.20 in 2012. A proportion42.4 of 42.4% of hospitals were 80

national broadband strategy. Nevertheless, the wide % 40 0.15 using Internet in 2011, increasing to reach 47.6% 60 52 availability of PIACs and the spread of households’ access % 51 47.6 to Internet via broadband help to reduce the impact of 0.10 in 202012. The proportion of hospitals equipped with 42.4 mobiles increased slightly from 51% in 2011 to 40 this low proportion. 0.05 0 reach 52% in2011 2012. 2012 20 0.00 2011 2012 2013 With computers With internet With mobiles 0 2011 2012 With computers With internet With mobiles 4.4: Proportion of museums with broadband internet access schools A5.2: Internet usage in hospitals by type of activities 5 5 5 5 Similarly, collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Tourism and MCIT aim at modernizing museums in Dealing with e-commerce 8 4 Sending / receiving emails is the most Egypt and connecting them to broadband Internet. Dealing with e-government 11 common activity performed by 32% of 3 Sending / receiving emails 32 % the hospitals using Internet, followed Publishing scientific research 9.9 2 by getting information about medical E-diagnosis 3.6 equipment, drugs and medicine and 1 Downloading reasearches & medical reports 26 Getting info about diseases, epidemics and treatments 24 downloading research and medical 0 reports, with proportions of 32%, 28% 2011 2012 2013 Getting info about drugs & medicine 26 Getting info about medical equipment 28 and 26% respectively. 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Target40 5. Connect all health centers and hospitals48% with ICTs 50 35% 36.5% 100 88 89 44 40 81.7 82.7 48% 35 38 A5.3: Proportion35% of doctors using36.5% computers and Internet 4030 80 35 5.1: Proportion14 of public hospitals16 with Internet17 access, by type of access 3025 60 30 %

% 100 % Both computer14 and Internet16 usage increased17 in the 88 89 20 50 25 81.7 82.7 The proportion of hospitals connected to the internet 44 period% 2011 – 2012, with a growth of 1%. 2015 38 40 20 80 through fixed21 broadband access20 increased 21from 38% 40 10 15 in 10 2011 to reach 44% in 2012. Mobile broadband7 20 21 20 21 60 6 30 % also had5 increased from 6% in 2011 to reach 7% in % 10 2012.00 5 40 2011 2012 2013 20 0 2011 2012 0 2011 2012 20 Fixed broadbandUrban Mobile Ruralbroadband 10 6 7 Using computers2011 2012Using internet 2013 Urban Rural 0 0 2011 2012 2011 2012 Fixed broadband Mobile broadband Using computers Using internet

88 89 A Decade of Achievement

A5.4: The impact of using ICT in health process (hospital manager perspective) 6.5: Proportion of central government organizations with Internet access, by type of access 78% 80 73% 70 64% Increasing capacity of interaction with larger 59.5 80 78% Governmental organizations in Egypt boosted their numbers of patients Using ICT increased the efficiency of the 73% internet60 connections in all internet modes. Data from health process, especially through increasing 70 64% 50 Increasing capacity of R & D 61.5 60 surveys% show that the proportion of organizations the capacity of managerial efficiency and using40 fixed broadband had increased from 64% in 50 30 Increasing capacity of communication efficiency 61.4 increasing capacity of R&D. % 2010 to 78% in 2012, while for mobile broadband 40 20 that is newly10% spread in Egyptian12% communities,13% 30 10 Increasing capacity of managerial efficiency 66.3 proportion of organizations had reached to about 20 0 10% 12% 13% 13% in 2012.2010 2011 2012 Increasing capacity of diagnostic 60.4 10 0 Fixed broadband Mobile broadband 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 2010 2011 2012 Fixed broadband Mobile broadband Target 6. Connect all central government departments and establish websites 6.6: Proportion of central government organizations with a web presence

60 6.1: Proportion of persons employed in central government organizations routinely using computers Following the WSIS indicators for assessing the web presence of governmental entities, the proportion 58% 80 of governmental organizations shows an increase

Governmental institutions in Egypt are deploying % 55% during 2010-2012 from 49% to 58%. computers increasingly to raise work efficiency. Data 50 from annual surveys shows that the percentage of 49% usage among employees increased by around 4% % 70 64% during the period 2010 – 2012. 40 62% 2010 2011 2012 60% 60 2010 2011 2012 Other Indicators 99 100 100

6.2: Proportion of persons employed in central government organizations routinely using the Internet A6.1: Proportion of government entities with computer and80 internet

50 Increased usage of the Internet from 39% in 2010 60 99 100 % The increase in governmental employees’ trend to 42% in 2012 is in line with the rise in computer 100 40of using computers82 followed the increase85 in the usage. 80 proportion of governmental entities owning % 40 20computers between 2011 and 2012, reaching 42% 60 40% % 100%. Similarly, the proportion of governmental 39% 0 40 82 85 organizations2011 with Internet increased2012 to reach 85% in 2012. 30 20 Prop. of government entities with computers 2010 2011 2012 0 2011 2012 Prop of government entities with internet 40100 48% 6.3 and 6.4: Proportion35% of central36.5% government organizations with a Local Area Network (LAN) 150 Prop. of government entities with computers 35 83% Proportion80 of 73%central government73% organizations with an intranet 40 48% 30 120A6.2: Proportion Prop of35% government of government 36.5%entities entities with with internet mobiles and fixed lines 14 16 17 35 39 40 Concerning25 60 networks inside governmental institutions, 100 % % As90 for30 the use of voice services, surveys show that 150 proportion20 of organizations41% with42% a (LAN) 43% network 83% % 14 16 17 40 80 73% 73% all governmental25 organizations are fully equipped reached15 83% in 2012, an increase of 10% in comparison % with 2010. The21 trend is emphasized20 over years.21 Similarly with60 20 fixed lines.100 Concerning mobile 100services, there is 120 39 40 10 20 60

% 15 for intranet, the proportion of organizations with an an30 increasing21 trend of mobile20 usage as a substitute21 90

5 % 41% 42% 43% to fixed10 lines. The percentage reached about 40% intranet0 0 reached about 43% in 2012 in comparison with 40 41% in 2010.20112010 20122011 20132012 in0 2012.5 60 2011 2012 100 100 6.3: Proportion of central government organizations with a 0 Urban Rural 20 30 local area network (LAN) (%) Prop. of 2011gov. entities with2012 mobiles 2013 6.4: Proportion of central government organizations with an 0 Urban Rural 0 2010 2011 2012 Prop. of gov. entities with fixed lines 2011 2012 intranet (%) 6.3: Proportion of central government organizations with a Prop. of gov. entities with mobiles local area network (LAN) (%) Prop. of gov. entities with fixed lines 6.4: Proportion of central government organizations with an 90 intranet (%) 91 92 Simplifing work procedures A6.3: Theimpactof usingICTonthegovernmental entities’ performance usages. ICT to adapt toexpected sustainable are schools More curricula. compared a of 78% schools’ potentialsecondary and primary all of in improvement the rise With 2011. a with 2012, computer-assisted had in Egypt instruction in schools of 80% 7.3: Proportion of schoolswithcomputer -assisted instruction the information society. of challenges 71%. meet and to primary curricula reachschools’ all secondary adapting to for step 2012 major a – is This 2011 period the during increased slightly schools in teachers qualified ICT 7.1: Proportion of ICTqualified teachers inschools 7.2: Proportion of teachers trained to teach usingICT subjects taking into account national circumstances Target 7. Adapt all primary and secondary school curricula to meet the challenges of the information society, Increasing efficiency of % % 100 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 20 40 60 80 government services 0 5 0 financial resources Saving timeand and work flow 2011 35% 21 14 2011 80 Urban 0 % 36.5% 2012 20 16 20 % Rural 2012 82 40 % 48% 2013 21 17 60 % 70% 80 % growth rate of 2.5%. a 2012, in reachincreased82% to slightly ICT using teachsubjects teacherstotrained of proportion The 80% 81%

% 100 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

0 % 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 % 0 and work flow, saving time and of governmental services provided. time efficiency the increasing saving and money flow, work and in procedureswork simplifying including effects, showed positive several ICT has ICT it that diffusing support; governmental of crucial the importance emphasizes survey The 2011 78 2011 70 2012 80 2012 71 access to television by 2016. Sustaining this growth rate, all households will have 1%. of growth annual average radio an by increased set of trend declining TV the a with households of proportion The possession. with line in is sets The increasing trend of households to own television 8.2: Proportion of householdswithaTV 74% in2011, agrowth rate of 4%. to compared 2012 in process educational 77%of teachers used ICT instruments in the Indicator A7.2Proportion of teachers usingICTinstruments intheeducational process 8.1: Proportion of householdswitharadio 7.4: Proportion of schoolswithInternet-assisted instruction Target 8.Ensure of that theworld’s all population hasaccess to television andradio services Other Indicators % % 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 % 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 10 20 30 40 50 60 0 5 0 2011 2011 35% 55 2011 21 14 38 Urban 2012 48 36.5% 2012 20 16 Rural 2012 40 2013 25 48% 2013 21 17 h icesn tnec twrs eeiin and television computers. towards and radio tendency attributed using increasing of mainly the importance is declining decline the This to 30%. of rate decline average an at 2011-2013 period the over decreased radio with households of proportion The by 2%to reach 40%in2012. of increased instruction Internet-assisted with proportion schools the instruction, with computer-assisted schools of trend same the with along Going

% 100 20 40 60 80

0 % 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 2011 95 2011 74 2012 A Decadeof Achievement 96 2012 77 2013 97 93 94 rmnos nrae n oie eerto and penetration usage. mobile in increase tremendous comparison in 2013 in the replacedwasby decline The 2011. in 44% with 30% reach to time over decreasing been has telephones of with households proportion Egypt’s trend, global the Following 10.2: Proportion of householdswithtelephone, by typeof network use English. main language the of interface as on the ArabicInternet, while only 5% use Egypt in users 32% Internet of usage; Internet dominates language Arabic 9.1: Proportion of internet usersby language 10.1: Mobilecellular telephone subscriptions per100inhabitants 8.3: Proportion of householdswithmultichanneltelevision service the presence world anduseof all languages ontheInternet facilitate to order in conditions technical place in put and content of development the EncourageTarget 9. use of them Target 10. Ensure that more than half the world’s inhabitants have access to ICTs within their reach and make % 100 20 40 60 80 100 120 % % 0 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 20 40 60 80 0 0 5 2011 73.9 2011 35% 21 14 104.7 2011 Urban 2012 83 36.5% 2012 20 16 118.9 2012 Rural 2013 85 48% 2013 21 17 diffusion of mobiletechnology. high a showing 2012, and 2011 between 14 than subscriptions per 100 inhabitants increased by more mobile of number the where target WSIS tenth the countrya scale,achievingOn aheadEgyptwell in is of 7.2%. multichannel rategrowth annual average an with 2013, in 85% reach households to 2011 in 73.9% from increased service television of Proportion

% 10 20 30 40 50

0 % 10 15 20 25 30 35 0 5 2011 44 Arabic 32 2012 41.5 English 5 2013 Others 30 3 while householdmonthly spendingonmobiles hasincreased byperiod. 2.3$duringthesame 11.9%). represent (which on 2013, – services 2008 period the 12.57$ during on internet 3$ decreased by has services lines fixed to on spending monthly Households’ 5$ compared finally services), and ICT 30%) on represent expenditure (which services monthly computer household (which 12.14$ total was the telephone fixed of on 29% and represents services mobile on spending monthly households’ 2013, In h nme o idvdas sn te Internet the and 2012. using 2011 between 4% individuals about of increase an witnessed of number The 10.4: Proportion of individualsusingtheInternet A10.3: Households’monthly spendingonICTservices ($value) A10.1: Proportion of households/individualswithcomputers 10.3: Proportion of individualsusingamobilecellular telephone Other Indicators % % 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 Mobile 22.9% 30 40 50 60 Computer 16.6% Proportion of individualsusingcomputers Proportion of householdsusingcomputers 2011 71.2 2011 32.4 47 2008 2012 74.5 2012 34.4 49 Fixed lines 36.0% 2013 77.8 Internet 24.5% 2013 37.1 53

% and individuallevels by 6%and4.7%respectively. the households households both on Internet of usage of in proportion increase from an proved data surveys individual also and but phones increasing, mobile and are Internet of use the only Not increased from 71%in2011to reach 78%in2013. phones mobile using individuals of proportion The 30 40 50 60

Proportion of individualsusingcomputers Proportion of householdsusingcomputers % 10 20 30 40 50 Internet Computer 2011 0 32.4 11.9% 47 30% 2011 39.5 2012 34.4 49 2013 A Decadeof Achievement 2013 37.1 53 Fixed lines 29.0% 2012 44 Mobile 29.0% 95 A Decade of Achievement

Annex 1. Connect all businesses with ICTs Other Indicators

A.1: Proportion of businesses using computers A.A.1: Proportion of private businesses with a website

80 In line with the aim of connecting all businesses with 69 72 30 28 70 The proportion of private enterprises having websites ICT, the proportion of businesses using computers 24 60 25 increased during the period 2011 - 2012 from increased from 69% in 2011 to reach 72% in 2012, 50 20 24% to 28%, a growth rate of 16%. Many private %

a growth rate of 4.3%. % enterprises use their websites for operating their 40 15 30 businesses, placing and receiving orders through the 20 10 Internet, and providing customer services online. 10 5 0 2011 2012 0 2011 2012 50 45 13 22 42 100 40 A.2: Proportion of businesses using the Internet, by type of access A.A.2: Proportion9 of employees17.6 having access to computers and Internet 80 30 50 % 45 The proportion of businesses connected to the 60 13 22 42 % Computers and Internet are the most vital ICT tools 100 Internet20 through broadband access increased from 17.6 40 40 to connect private business employees and hence 9 42% in9.8 2011 to 45% in 2012. Mobile broadband9 has 80 30 10 7.5 7 increase their efficiency and productivity at work.

% 20 also increased from 7.5% in 2011 to 9% in 2012, a 60

Both computer and Internet usage increased from % 20% growth rate. 20 0 0 2011 to 2012. 2011 2012 2011 2012 40 9.8 10 7.5 7 9 Narrowband Broadband Mobile brodband Computer Using internet 20

0 0 2011 2012 2011 2012 Narrowband Broadband Mobile brodband Computer 48% Using internet 40 73.8% 35% 36.5% Getting info about goods/services 77.1% A.3: Proportion of businesses using mobile cellular telephones A.A.3: Internet activities undertaken by private businesses 73.2% 35 Sending/receiving emails 75.6% Providing customer services 45.6% 30 40 73.8% 46.5% 40 38 Getting info about goods/services 49.6% 14 16 17 Getting info from governmental websites77.1% Getting information39.5% about goods or The 25proportion of businesses using mobile telephones 34 73.2% 22.8% 35 Sending/receiving emails Internet banking75.6% 32.4% % services is the most common internet Providing customer services 45.6% 12.8% increased20 over time, with an average annual growth 30 Dealing with e-governement46.5% services 23.1% 49.6% activity19.8% undertaken by private enterprises rate of 8%. This proportion is expected to rise Getting info from governmental websites Delivering39.5% products inline 18% 15 25 22.8% 16.3% 21 20 21 Internet banking Instant messaging,bulletin32.4% boards % using16.2% internet in 2012 at 73.8%, compared exponentially in the future due to the increasing 12.8% 10 20 Dealing with e-governement services Telephone23.1% over the internet (VOIP) 15.1% 19.8% to 77%16.2% in 2011. Followed by sending and importance5 of mobiles. Delivering products inline 18% Employing individuals 13.8% 15 16.3% 13% Instant messaging,bulletin boards 16.2% Staff traing receiving12.7% e-mails (73.2%). Almost half 0 10 15.1% 12.9% Telephone over the internet (VOIP) 6.9% 2011 2012 2013 16.2%Accessing financial services the7.3% private enterprises using the internet 5 13.8% 3.3% Employing individuals 13% Others 1.6% Urban Rural 12.7% to get info from governmental websites 0 Staff traing 12.9% 2011 2012 2013 6.9% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Accessing financial services 7.3% (49.6%). 3.3% Others 1.6% 2012 2011 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

2012 2011

96 97 A Decade of Achievement

Additional Indicators 250000 3000 WSIS Action Line C2: Information and Communication Infrastructure 2.547 2500 WSIS Action Line C1: The role of governance authorities and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICT for development 200000 1.690 1.823 2000 International Internet bandwidth & per capita share150000 of internet bandwidth 1.565 Mbps 250000 3000 1.267 1500 ICT as a component of the national economy and a key driver for development, where the government 2.547 100000 2500 International internet bandwidth increased with1000 and all stakeholders--whether operators or IT companies or even small shops-- contribute to the value of 200000 1.823 an average annual growth359 rate of 97.32% over the 1.690 200050000 201 500 the ICT sector. ICT sector GDP contribution to the national GDP reached 3.4% in 2012/2013 and expected 150000 1.565 129 period5 10 (200113 23 – 2011)62 to reach 181,854 MBPS by the Mbps 1.267 1500 to contribute with 4% in 2013/2014. Meanwhile, the annual growth rate of the ICT sector reached 7.6% in 100000 0end of 2011. Consequently, a significant increase0 is 2012/2013 and expected to reach 10% in 2013/2014. 1000 realized in the per capita share of internet bandwidth 50000 359 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 129 201 500 to reach 2249.33 BPS by the end of 2011. 5 10 13 23 62 ICT sector GDP contribution to national GDP ICT sector GDP annual growth rate 0 0 International internet bandwidth (Mbps) 100 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Percapita share of internet bandwidth (Mbps) 4% 4.0 10% 3.4% 10 80 International internet bandwidth (Mbps) 3.5 3.3% Percapita share of internet bandwidth (Mbps) 7.6% Mobile subscribers VS. fixed lines subscribers 3.0 8 60 2.5 6% Landline telephone usage is decaying overtime, due to 100 6 40 2.0 the widespread of mobile usage. Mobile users increased 80 1.5 dramatically during the period (2005 – 2013) from 13.63 4 20 60 1.0 million subscribers to reach 99.7 million subscribers in 2013. On the other hand, fixed line subscribers decreased 0.5 2 0 40 during the same period from 10.4 million subscribers to 0.0 0 reach 6.82 million subscriber during 2013. 20 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014* 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014* 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 0 *Expected *Expected Mobile subscribers Fixed lines subscribers 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Mobile subscribers WSIS Action Line C3: Access to Information and knowledge Fixed lines subscribers Also among the ICT role, as an economic key driver Accumulated issued capital of the newly of development, is the ICT sector exports that have established ICT companies “ICT for all” is one of the main targets of MCIT where ICT services,-- mainly represented by Mobile, Internet reached 1.44 billion EGP in 2013 and is expected and Computer usages--should be serving all population categories. The main characteristics of the ICT users 50 46.47 to reach 1.61 billion EGP in 2014. Furthermore, through three main dimensions of the gender, age group and the educational level have been analyzed the ICT companies established during the period 40 Generically, ICT users are characterized by: (2005 – 2013) had increased by 3756 companies. 45% of ICT users were males in 2013, compared to 43% in 2011 Consequently, the accumulated issued capital of the Most of ICT users are in the age group 25 – 74 years old, while elderly people (above the age of 75 years 30 newly established ICT companies has increased by 24.38 old) represented only 1% in 2013 22.09 billion EGP. Primary or lower educational levels constitute the highest proportion of ICT users 20 Note that age groups and educational level categories are classified according to ITU categories. 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 ICT sector Exports ICT companies ICT users by gender ICT users by age group 2.0 100 5644 100 1.61 6000 1.44 80 1.5 1.36 80 0.5 1 1 5000 38 39 60 35

% 60 1.0 4000 45 52 47 40 3000 40 45 0.5 1888 20 43 43.5 2000 20 20 19 20 0 13 10 15 0.0 1000 2011 2012 2013 0 2012 2013 2014* 2011 2012 2013 Male *Expected 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Female -15 15-24 25-74 75+

98 99 80 70 8.7 60 8.5 50 16.4 40 16.5 A Decade of Achievement 30 15.6 16.3 12 20 13 10 24.5 18.5 14 ICT users by Educational Level 0 WSIS Action Line C5: Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs 2011 2012 2013 80 70 Primary or lower Lower second Households taking different types of security measures 8.7 Upper or post second Tertiary 60 8.5 50 16.4 Programs documentation for internal users 0.3% 0.9% Securing connection between agents 40 16.5 Data backup Spam filter 1.2% and servers, programs documentation 30 15.6 16.3 12 Spyware programs 1.4% 20 13 for external users and intruder detection Firewall 2.1% 10 systems are the most common security 24.5 18.5 14 Viruses scanning or programming protection 10.9% protection measurements used by 0 18.2% 2011 2012 2013 Securing connection between agents and servers households, composing 18% of the users Programs documentation for external users 18.2% per each measurement during 2013. Primary or lower Lower second Intruder detection systems 18.7% Upper or post second 0 5 10 15 20 WSIS Action Line C4: Capacity BuildingTertiary

Businesses taking different types of security measures Area of benefits from ICT services provided by IT clubs 2010 2011 Intruder detection system 8.2 Viruses scanning or program protection are the most 80 72% 73% Spam filter 11.6 Gaining high skills in computer and internet usage 70 common security protection measurements used by was the most beneficial purpose of visiting IT clubs 60 businesses, composing 88.6% with internet security 46% Spyware programes 23 50 43% for 73% of the visitors, while getting the ICDL was a 40 problems during 2012. second priority of the overall areas of benefits that 30 Data backup 25.3 20 14%16% 17% 16% 11% 11% Firewall 28.6 attracted 43% of visitors. 10 3% 4% 0 Using Conducting Getting Ganining Aqcuiring a Others Viruses scanning or program protection 88.6 2010 2011 e-govern- governmen- the high skills better job ment tal ICDL in opportunity services transactions computer 0 20 40 60 80 100 and over the internet internet 80 72% 73% usage 70 60 WSIS Action Line C6: Enabling Environment 50 46% 43% Number of graduates from specialized and professional training program (thousands) 40 2010 2011 2012 30 E-commerce services undertaken by main government entities 20 16% 50 17% 16% 14% 11% 11% The number of graduates of the Specialized and 10 3% 4% 43.2 2.7 Others 3.3 0 Professional Training Program provided by the 13 59% of key government entities engaging in Using Conducting Getting Ganining Aqcuiring a Others 15.1 e-govern- governmen- the high40 skills better job Information Technology Institute (ITI) and the Receiving orders of selling ment tal ICDL in opportunity goods/offering services 11.7 e-commerce services in 2012 have been engaging computer 6 services transactions and National Telecommunication Institute (NTI), 5.1 in bids and tenders publication as a major activity over the internet Sending orders of selling 13.3 internet increased to 43.2 thousands in 2013 compared to goods/offering services 0 usage30 57 of e-commerce, compared to 63% in 2010. Also 23 thousands in 2005. Advertising goods and services 56.7 23 56 57% of key government entities engaging in 59 Bids and tenders publicaion 58.3 e-commerce services in 2012 have been advertising 20 63 47 goods and services, compared to 56% in year 2010. Receiving technicl and 70 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 financial offers 75 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 2010 2011 2012

Training services provided by IT clubs Proportion of private enterprises conducting e-sale and 2.7e-purchase 80 3.3 Others 13 Around two-thirds of IT Clubs in Egypt provided ICDL 70 67% 30 training courses during 2011, while 40% provided e-sales and e-purchases Receiving constitute orders a of considerable selling 15.1 60 11.7 25 advanced computer courses. 50 portion of private enterprises’goods/offering total services sales and 6

% 40% 40 purchases*. The proportion of e-sales constitutes5.1 20 around 26% of private Sending enterprises’ orders of totalselling sales, 13.3 % 26 23 30 goods/offering services 0 15 20 while that of e-purchases has reached 23% of total 57 11% 10 10 purchases in 2012.Advertising goods and services 56.7 56 0 5 ICDL Advanced English 59 *These proportions Bidsare calculatedand tenders from publicaion the private 0 58.3 computer courses e-Sales 63 e-Purchase courses enterprises participating in e-commerce. ( as a % of 47total sales) ( as a % of total sales) Receiving technicl and 70 financial offers 75 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 100 101 A Decade of Achievement

WSIS Action Line C7: ICT Applications: Benefits in All Aspect of Life WSIS Action Line C8: Culture Diversity and Identity, Linguistic Diversity and Local Content

e-Government Internet users by type of search engines

Internet activities undertaken by government entities MSN 6.5% Most of internet users (above the age of 6 years) use google search engines (75%), while only 6.5% Telephone over the internet (V0IP) 3.3 Sending/receiving emails is the most common Electronic transaction and internet banking 10 of them use MSN search engine, according to 2013 Publishing technical and financial offers 20.6 internet activity undertaken by 97% of governmental Yahoo 25% statistics. Buying goods/services 7.5 entities using internet in 2012; followed by getting Sending/receiving online buying/selling orders 9.8 Offering e-governement services 41.6 info and R&D and exchanging data (78.6% and 74.3% Participating in distance conferences and e-training 37.6 respectively). Almost half of government entities use Google 75% Accessing international database 33.6 Publishing info about the entity 54.6 the internet to publish info about the entity (54.6%), 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Getting info and r&d 78.6 while around one third of them use internet for Exchanging data 74.3 Sending/receiving emails 97 accessing international database (33.6%). 0 20 40 60 80 100 Internet users by field of interest

2012e-Learning 94 Entertainment 7% 90 Most of internet users (above the age of 6 years) are interested in political fields (62%), while only Cultural 13% 2011Proportion of faculties connected to the internet91 and using it in education 7% of them are interested in entertainment ones , 85 according to 2013 statistics. Economic 17% The proportion of faculties and institutes connected to the 2012 94 87 internet increased by 6% during the period (2009 – 2012) 90 Health 28% 2010 78 to reach 94% in 2012, compared to 85% in 2009. 2011 91 Political 62% 85 While the proportion of faculties and 85 institutes using 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 internet in the education process increased73 by almost 87 2009 2010 12% during the period (2009 – 2012) to reach 90% in 78 0 20 40 60 80 100 year 2012, compared to 73% in year 2009. 85 WSIS Action Line C10: Ethical Dimensions of the Information Society Faculties connected to internet 2009 73 Faculties use internet in education 0 20 40 60 80 100 (This action line indicators focus on the political and social power of the internet) Faculties connected to internet Faculties use internet in education Number of ICT faculties and institutes Number of Facebook users 250 236 20 The number of faculties and institutes with ICT 224 219 16.8 Facebook users have dramatically increased from specialties have increased during the period (2007 202 15 4.2 million Information Society in 2010 to reach 16.4 – 2011). The total number of faculties and institutes 12.06 million users in 2013. 200 with ICT specialties has increased from 175 in 2007 9.4 175 10 to 236 in 2011 with an average annual growth rate of 7.96%. Million users 4.2 100 96.6 97 98 95 5 150 85.1 86.6 80 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2010 2011 2012 2013 60 Instructors Vs students usage of internet (universities) Number of twitter users 40 100 96.6 97 98 95 500 465.7 20 There is a slight increase in university instructors and 85.1 86.6 Twitter users increased enormously during the students usage of internet during the period (2010 80 period (2010 – 2012) to reach 465.7 thousand users 400 0 in 2012 rising from 19.3 thousands users in 2010. – 2012).2010 During 2012,2011 98% of university2012 instructors 60 300 used the internet, versus 95% of university students. 40 177.5 Instructtors Students 200

20 Thousand users 100 19.3 0 0 2010 2011 2012 2010 2012 2013 Instructtors Students

102 103 A Decade of Achievement

80 70 57 62.7 Proportion of smart phones users engaging in political60 life 50 ICT Sector Performance Key Indicators 43 37.3 80 40 70 62.7 30 62.7% of smart phone owners used their devices to 57 share in political life during 2013, rising from 57% 60 20 2005 2013 50 10 in 2012. This increase highlights the importance of 43 37.3 40 0 the mobile technology in raising political awareness Fixed and Mobile Lines 30 andYes encouraging political participation.No 20 10 2012 2013 Mobile subscribers (million subscribers) 13.63 99.7 0 Yes No Mobile penetration (%) 19.11 118.19 Fixed line subscribers (million subscribers) 10.4 6.82 80 2012 2013 70 64 63 Fixed penetration (%) 14.6 8.22 60 Activities of using smart phones in political life 50 48 38.5 80 40 63% of smart phone users said 37 they used their Internet 70 64 63 30 devices to engage in in political life through social 60 Internet users (million) 9.03 38.75 20 networking during 2013, compared15 to 38.5% during 50 48 10 38.5 37 2012. Receiving news updates was the second 40 Internet penetration (%) 12.65 45.93 0 30 highest Receiving for using Sharing smart in phones Helping in political in the life (48%) newsduring updates 2013, socialdeclining network from election64% during process 2012. 20 15 ADSL subscribers (million subscribers) 0.91 2.63 10 2012 2013 0 Mobile Internet (million users) .. 14.5 Receiving Sharing in Helping in the news updates social network election process USB modem (million subscribers) .. 3.9 2012 2013

ICT Sector Economic Indicators 2005/2006 2012/2013

ICT Real GDP (billion EGP) 17.3 52.3

ICT Total Revenues (billion EGP) 31.2 72.7

ICT GDP Annual Growth Rate (%) 10.3 7.6

ICT GDP Contribution to National GDP (%) 2.5 3.4

Number of ICT companies 1888 5644

Total Issued Capital of ICT companies (billion EGP) 24.38 46.47

ICT Exports (billion EGP) .. 1.44

104 105 A Decade of Achievement

Meeting the Challenges of ICT for Development: Funding Mechanisms The NTRA’s role in managing the USF involves: setting universal service policy and the regulations for provision of telecommunication services in remote areas or areas where service provision is economically unfeasible; defining financing mechanisms for universal service projects; and identifying the universal service obligations of telecommunications network operators and service providers in accordance with the Telecommunication Regulation Law. The NTRA also monitors the implementation of universal service projects to ensure they meet Egypt has a population of over 85 million people, 60% of whom are aged under 30, and covers an area of over requirements with regard to technical specifications and standards, budgets and deadlines, and determines the 1 million square kilometers, divided into 27 governorates with varying levels of socioeconomic development. measures to be applied if these requirements are not met. This raises numerous challenges, both economically and in terms of scale, in relation to the establishment of an information society and the implementation of ICT for development activities. The government relies on various The Universal Service Fund process funding mechanisms to accomplish its goals in this regard, as follows:

98%

A prominent example is the eMisr National Broadband 50% Government funding 5% Plan, which aims to expand the geographic coverage 25% Government budget allocations are based on five-year of infrastructure providing high-speed internet and to plans for areas such as capacity building, research, increase broadband internet penetration, particularly Representatives from local community development, information infrastructure, in marginalized areas. The key strategic objectives community, NTRA and network NTRA checks validity of requests operators/service providers meet access and human resource development. Government of the plan are to: position Egypt as a frontrunner in Localities submit requests for ICT to determine appropriate course budgeting for the information society is divided into digital communications; create employment; stimulate facilities/services of action two components: First, the budget of MCIT, which is economic growth nationwide and foster social distributed over a number of investment programs, cohesion; promote uptake of ICTs in the government laying the necessary foundations for digital society in sector to improve public service provision and improve key areas of action. Second, allocations to the Ministry quality of life for citizens; and to reduce the digital of State for Administrative Development (MSAD), divide in Egypt. which is responsible for e-government applications, The government will play an instrumental role in and to ministries where the use of ICT has been stimulating demand for broadband services by acting $ mainstreamed to enhance public service provision. as an anchor tenant for the eMisr National Broadband Plan as it has representation in every area in the Public-private partnerships (PPP) country. It also has a key role to play in creating an enabling environment for this project, which will PPPs allow the government to implement various involve the implementation of pilot projects to Bidding process initiatives, and in particular large-scale projects, in encourage investment in the overall plan, with funding Network operators present budgeted plans cooperation with the private sector. Such partnerships from the Universal Service Fund, and the formulation have brought successful results in domains such as ICT of a unified license for telecommunications service infrastructure, technology parks, and ICT applications provision. in education, healthcare and e-government. Universal Service Fund (USF) A prominent example is Smart Village Egypt, a business Partnerships with regional and international organizations and technology park covering an area of over 3 square Within the framework of the Egyptian Information kilometers to the west of Cairo, which was established Society Initiative, the National Telecommunication Partnerships with regional and international organizations support Egypt through technical assistance and and is managed by Smart Villages Company. The Regulatory Authority (NTRA) established the Universal expertise, and in-kind contributions, and have been particularly useful in capacity building and the implementation company, a PPP in which 80% is owned by the private Service Fund in 2005 to provide incentives for private of pilot projects. sector and 20% by MCIT, was founded to set up and investment in the provision of telecommunications manage a branded chain of technology clusters and facilities and services in underserved areas. The A prominent example is the European Commission’s Euro-Mediterranean Information Society (EUMEDIS) initiative, business parks on the local and regional level. fund aims to ensure the provision of affordable basic which aims at contributing towards the development and modernization of the Euro-Mediterranean information telecommunications services to all citizens, especially society to bring about economic development, improve quality of life and promote understanding. The initiative Cost-sharing in regions where the establishment of infrastructure is focuses on the modernization of strategic sectors, and includes funding for the establishment of focal points economically unfeasible, with a focus on low-income The government also employs cost-sharing in various in partner countries that operate as an information exchange network, and regional pilot projects in the five citizens and areas, persons with disabilities, and public multistakeholder initiatives, where project costs are areas of healthcare networks, e-commerce, tourism and cultural heritage, industry, and research, innovation and establishments such as schools, libraries and hospitals. shared by involved parties. education.

106 107 A Decade of Achievement

Partnerships with donor organizations The Way Forward and the Vision Beyond 2015 Partnerships with national, regional and international donor organizations Egypt is proud to have played a part in the collective efforts of WSIS stakeholders in 2003 and 2005, which set in provide Egypt with an important source of financial and technical support. motion the development and application of ICTs in all areas, benefitting societies on the socioeconomic, political and developmental levels. By way of example, the Egypt ICT Trust Fund (ICT-TF) was established by MCIT and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in 2002 Egypt recognizes that establishing the international agenda for ICT and development beyond 2015 involves a to investigate the different means by which ICTs can enrich the lives of number of challenges. When the international community began working to set the WSIS agenda back in 2000, Egyptians and to foster socioeconomic development by creating PPPs to the potential of ICTs was largely untapped. Around the world, societies, governments and most economic sectors support the use of ICTs. were only beginning to explore how technologies could enhance communication, participation and creativity and improve operations and productivity. Today, this agenda involves not only actors in the ICT sector, but also The main sources of funding come from donor organizations, contributions stakeholders from all other sectors, which have become owners, users and beneficiaries of ICTs. As such, the from the private sector and civil society organizations, and through cost- agenda needs to address the wider set of demands and needs of an information society growing in both size sharing agreements with a number of government authorities. On the and diversity. national level, entities supporting the ICT-TF include: the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, civil society organizations, research It is important to note that when the WSIS process began, ICT development in many regions was largely driven centers, and private companies including Mobinil. International supporters by governments, while today the public are increasingly leading the way. The post-2015 phase must therefore include: the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit fully accommodate the presence of civil society organizations, and ensure their voices are heard. (GIZ), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, In 2003 and 2005, WSIS targets were linked to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Today, we need to Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Italian Development Cooperation, consider also the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) currently being formulated. The outcome document Japan’s Official Development Assistance, Microsoft, the Swiss Agency of the 2010 United Nations Summit on the Millennium Development Goals requested the UN secretary-general for Development and Cooperation, Vodafone Foundation and the World to initiate thinking on the global development agenda beyond 2015. The outcome document of the 2012 Health Organization (WHO). Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development initiated an inclusive process to develop a set Another example was assistance from the US Agency for International of sustainable development goals. There is broad agreement that the MDGs and SDGs should be closely linked Development (USAID) to build capacity for both MCIT and the NTRA. and should ultimately converge in one global development agenda beyond 2015 with sustainable development at its core.

Exchanging debt for development Egypt agrees with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that the knowledge society should foster peace and sustainability and the integration of knowledge within people’s Debt swaps are transactions in which the government or an organization lives, taking into consideration the goals of economic prosperity and social inclusion and equity. This requires us of a creditor country retires a fraction of a developing country’s external as policymakers to examine the socioeconomic impact of new technologies, taking an interdisciplinary approach debt in exchange for a commitment by the debtor government to invest to look beyond the uses of ICT-based networks to the institutional, regulatory, financial, political and cultural local currency in designated initiatives. conditions that frame them. The Italian-Egyptian Debt Swap Program of 2001-08 financed 53 projects, The development of legal and regulatory frameworks for the information society remains a challenge in many with the total amount of debt subject to swap operations under the countries. In this context, work is required to promote the adoption of frameworks that relate not only to the agreement worth about USD 149 million. Under the program, EGP 48.5 ICT sector, but also to all areas and instruments involving ICTs, including freedom of information, intellectual million was allocated to ICT-related projects concerning smart schools, property and procurement. vocational schools, mobile ICT units, a community development portal, ICT for illiteracy eradication and ICT for SMEs. Egypt proposes the establishment of a partnership focused on model legislation and policymaking with regard to ICTs, to assist developing countries in the same way as the multistakeholder Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development, which involves, among others, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Such a partnership could undertake efforts to establish policy models that encourage the generation of multilingual content and internationalized domain names (IDNs). Egypt believes that the international community should pay particular attention in the review process to the role of ICTs in knowledge-based capital (KBC), and how KBC can be measured and addressed in policy, and also the development and use of big data. These topics have been identified by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as key issues of concern, with KBC representing a new engine for growth and big data a key source of information for decisionmakers and society that promotes transparency and growth.

108 109 A Decade of Achievement

Another important issue for consideration beyond 2015 is digital education, including knowledge of the rights A Brief Look at the National ICT Strategy for 2014-2021 and duties of digital citizenship. In this regard, Egypt proposes the formulation of a targeted strategy, with a focus on the ICT-related needs and potential of youth, covering areas such as empowerment and crowdsourcing for innovation. Building on previous achievements and lessons learned, MCIT is currently formulating its Strategy for 2014- 21, which aims to support and stimulate Egypt’s socioeconomic development through initiatives in 20 key In addition, cloud computing and interoperability should be prioritized in the post-2015 agenda as they affect areas. various dimensions of the information society. The three primary objectives of the strategy are: to develop an integrated national digital platform that There are also a number of pending issues that require further attention, such as the promotion of open standards, provides affordable access to knowledge and services; to support the development of the ICT industry through which are crucial for the development of the ICT sector and internet economy in developing nations, security and efforts to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, attract foreign direct investment and create jobs; and to privacy, preservation of an open internet, support of businesses that operate via the internet, and the use of ICTs position Egypt as an international ICT hub, capitalizing on its geographic location at the crossroads of Europe, in support of social, economic and political rights. Africa and Asia, and its hosting of various submarine communications cables. An outcome document of the WSIS Forum 2013, “Identifying Emerging Trends and a Vision Beyond 2015,” Formulation of the strategy has been a multistakeholder process, with the input of carefully selected groups provides the WSIS community with guidance and a vision for the way beyond 2015. Egypt considers this document – comprising representatives from MCIT and affiliated organizations, the private sector and civil society an ideal starting point for further discussion, and supports continued focus on the main WSIS Action Lines, but organizations – in the development of each initiative and its constituent programs. This approach facilitates believes a change in approach is needed in favor of scaling up efforts, cross-scale coordination, solution-oriented the identification of practical and realistic targets and budgets, which will serve genuine needs at this critical tactics, and ICTs resilient to disasters and political change. point in Egypt’s history. The 20 key areas covered by the strategy are: legislation and policies, digital society, community development, capacity building, broadband, cybersecurity, e-commerce, e-signatures, e-content, Egypt as a digital hub, ICT Egypt recommends that the WSIS agenda beyond 2015 should include the following goals: industry development, software industry development, electronics design and manufacturing, technology parks, green ICT, innovation and entrepreneurship, open-source software, cloud computing, digital dividend Revisiting the policy and regulatory frameworks of the information society and international relations. Agreeing on digital citizenship principles and an online code of ethics Encouraging the use of ICTs in sustainable development Encouraging the use of ICTs for social integration and better quality of life Encouraging the use of ICTs for democracy and transparency Addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities Protecting user privacy in ICT-based applications and services Encouraging social networking and freedom of expression Promoting network resilience and security Boosting uptake of open standards Encouraging innovation in educational tools Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship Encouraging youth empowerment and engagement Creating business models to address connectivity challenges Creating business models for broadband development Supporting public sector infrastructure and digital identity management Bridging the standardization gap in industry Developing business models to reinvigorate the e-content industry Exploring the potential of cloud computing and cloud interoperability Encouraging the adoption of communications and intellectual property rights Developing convergence between broadcasting and mobile services Pushing forward the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting Making use of big data Supporting the development and uptake of m-learning and m-applications

110 111 A Decade of Achievement

Acronyms and Abbreviations ICDL International Computer Driving License

ICT information and communications technology

ICT-TF Egypt ICT Trust Fund ADSL asymmetric digital subscriber line ICTE information and communications technology and electronics ATICM Arab Telecommunications and Information Council of Ministers ICT4D information and communications technology for development AU African Union IGF Internet Governance Forum BA Bibliotheca Alexandrina IJMA3 Arab ICT Organization BPO business process outsourcing IMPACT International Multilateral Partnership against Cyber Threats CA certificate authority IPR intellectual property rights CAIX Cairo Internet Exchange Point ISP internet service provider CERT computer emergency response team ITI Information Technology Institute COP child online protection ITIDA Information Technology Industry Development Agency CultNat Center for Documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage ITO information technology outsourcing DoS denial of service ITU International Telecommunication Union e- electronic ITU-T ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector EC European Commission KBC knowledge-based capital EDUEgypt Education Development Program for Egyptian Universities KPO knowledge process outsourcing EEI Egyptian Education Initiative Kbps kilobits per second EELU Egyptian e-Learning University m- mobile EG-CERT Egyptian Computer Emergency Response Team MALR Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation EGP Egyptian pounds Mbps megabits per second EITP Egyptian International Trade Point MCIT Ministry of Communications and Information Technology ELCC e-Learning Competence Center MDGs Millennium Development Goals EMPC Egyptian Media Production City MENA Middle East and North Africa ENPO Egyptian National Post Organization MNP mobile number portability ERP enterprise resource planning MoE Ministry of Education ESCC e-Signature Competence Center MoHE Ministry of Higher Education ESCWA Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia MoHP Ministry of Health and Population EU European Union MSAD Ministry of State for Administrative Development EUR euros MSEA Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs FIRST Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams MSMEs micro, small and medium enterprises FOSS free and open-source software MSSR Ministry of State for Scientific Research FP7 Seventh Framework Program for Research and Technological Development NCDA National Council on Disability Affairs GATS General Agreement on Trade in Services NGO non-governmental organization Gbps gigabits per second NTI National Telecommunication Institute ICANN Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers

112 113 A Decade of Achievement

References NTRA National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority

OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

OIC Organization of Islamic Cooperation “Achievement of the Objectives of the Convention”: http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/egync2.pdf PKI public key infrastructure CBC TV Channel, Interview with Mr. Hossam Saleh and Mr. Ali Anis, 5th of April PPP public-private partnership The expression “Internet Explosion” was coined by Mr. Hossam Saleh

PWDs persons with disabilities Egyptian Green ICT initiative: www.mcit.gov.eg R&D research and development “Environmental Common Information System”: www.eeaa.gov.eg RDI research, development and innovation “Green Pyramid Rating System Levels“: http://egypt-gbc.org S&T science and technology “UNESCO›s Draft Code of Ethics”: http://portal.unesco.org SDGs Sustainable Development Goals Gesi Initiative, SMART 2020 report “Enabling the Low Carbon Economy in the Information”, 2008 SECC Software Engineering Competence Center Egypt State of the Environment Report 2009: www.eeaa.gov.eg SMEs small and medium enterprises ITU, UNESCO. “The State of Broadband: 2013 Universalizing Broadband ”, 2013 TIEC Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center ITU. ICTs and Climate Change, background paper for the ITU Symposium on ICTs and Climate Change, TVET technical and vocational education and training Quito, Ecuador, 8-10 July 2009 UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Kyoto Protocol : www.kyotoprotocol.com UNDP United Nations Development Program Ministry of Communications and Information Technology- Egypt’s Information Society, 2005 UNEP United Nations Environment Program Ministry of Communications and Information Technology- MCIT Golden Book, Cairo, 2006 UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Ministry of Communications and Information Technology- MCIT Yearbook 2011 , Cairo, 2011 USD US dollars Ministry of Communications and Information Technology-MCIT Yearbook 2012, Cairo, 2012 USF Universal Service Fund Ministry of Trade and Industry, Egyptian International Trade Point: www.mfti.gov.eg WSA World Summit Award «National Profile of the Information Society in Egypt» 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013. The WSIS World Summit on the Information Society Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) - www.escwa.un.org WTDC World Telecommunication Development Conference OECD (2013), OECD e- Government Studies: Egypt 2012, OECD Publishing. 2G second-generation http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264178786-en

3D three-dimensional OECD High level Meeting the Internet Economy Generating Innovation Growth, Paris, 28-29 June 2011

3G third-generation World Bank. Socio- Economic Assessment of Broadband Development in Egypt, 2010 Stern, N., Key Elements of a Global Deal on Climate Change, London School of Economics and Political Science, 2008: www.lse.ac.uk/collections/climateNetwork/publications/KeyElementsOfAGlobalDeal_3 0Apr08.pdf The World Bank Annual Report, 2006 UNCTAD. “ICT Policy Review”: http://unctad.org World Bank: http://go.worldbank.org Al-Adawi, Z., Yousafzai, S. and Pallister. J., “Conceptual Model of Citizen Adoption of E-Government”, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University, UK Campaign to improve internet speeds in Egypt http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/151/95648/Egypt/Features/Campaign-to-improve- internet-speeds-in-Egypt.aspx

114 115 116 Supported by UNDP Project EGY 00069984 Scan Me