Telecoms & IT

Having long been one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy, continuing to grow even during periods of turbulence, the Egyptian telecoms industry experienced a landmark year in 2017. Steady subscription growth and increasing demand for data should bolster the position of all operators, with 4G providing a new field of competition in what is incrementally becoming a less voice-dominated, price-sensitive industry. The IT sector’s contribution to GDP was $4.2bn in FY 2016/17, with the IT export industry valued at more than $3.25bn in 2017 and expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.4% through to 2020.

This chapter contains an interview with Eng. Yasser El Kady, Minister of Communications and Information Technology; and a roundtable with Hazem Metwally, CEO, Etisalat Misr; Jean-Marc Harion, CEO, Orange Egypt; and Ahmed El Beheiry, CEO, Telecom Egypt