Minister of Communications and Information Technology attends Ericsson’s Celebration of its 150th anniversary during an event hosted by the Embassy of Sweden in Cairo

In his speech during the ceremony, Eng. Raafat Hindy explained that the "Digital Egypt" vision stems from employing technology to serve humans and achieve impact, as it aims to facilitate citizens’ access to digital government services, support small enterprises in reaching new markets and customers, and enable youth in various parts of the republic to acquire the necessary skills to obtain distinguished job opportunities.  

Eng. Raafat Hindy pointed out that developing telecommunications networks represents an essential pillar for achieving this strategy, explaining that expanding the deployment of fifth-generation technologies does not only aim to provide higher connection speeds, but rather to maximize the economic and societal value of these technologies. He added that the next phase relies on three main priorities in the partnership between the Ministry and Ericsson, which include establishing future-ready telecommunications networks, supporting applied innovation, and developing Egyptian talent. He explained that expanding the construction and development of telecommunications networks aims to improve service quality, expand coverage, and establish secure and reliable networks, in cooperation with telecommunications operators and technology companies.  

He added that artificial intelligence applications enhance the efficiency of network management, and strong telecommunications networks can support the development of new technological solutions in the sectors of industry, agriculture, transport, and healthcare. He pointed out the importance of the partnership in transforming these opportunities into practical applications in our daily lives, through joint work to test solutions, evaluate their feasibility, and expand the implementation of technological solutions that rely on these technologies.  

He also affirmed the keenness of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to enhance cooperation in the fields of training, research, and development, and to enable more Egyptian engineers and researchers to contribute to designing the technologies of the future, in addition to promoting cooperation between companies, universities, and startups, which contributes to transforming constructive ideas into innovative products and services.  

Mr. Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt, Ambassador of Sweden to Egypt, says: "What makes this milestone particularly special is that 129 of Ericsson’s 150 years have been shared with Egypt. Ericsson first established its presence in Egypt in 1897, at a time when telecommunications looked very different from today. Since then, Egypt has undergone an extraordinary transformation, and Ericsson has been part of that journey."  

Kevin Murphy, Head of Ericsson North Middle East, says: “Celebrating Ericsson's 150-year global legacy alongside our 129-year journey in Egypt is a testament to our enduring commitment to the nation’s technological evolution. From the early days of mobile networks to today's advanced 5G and AI-powered solutions, we have worked hand-in-hand with the Egyptian government, our partners, and service providers to build a resilient digital foundation. As Egypt advances its national agenda for digital transformation, Ericsson remains dedicated to working alongside the government to deliver world-class connectivity that accelerates economic growth and connects society for a sustainable, fully connected future." 

And at a time when Egypt is moving with steady steps toward achieving its national agenda for digital transformation, Ericsson remains committed to working jointly with the government to provide communication services at world-class levels that contribute to accelerating the wheel of economic growth and empowering community members to build a sustainable and fully connected future."  

The celebration events were attended by Dr. Heba Saleh, Chairperson of the Information Technology Institute; Dr. Ahmed Khattab, Director of the National Telecommunication Institute; Eng. Saad Roshdy, Head of the Central Administration for Resources and Technical Assistance and Supervisor of the Central Administration for Technological Projects and Outsourcing at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology; and Dr. Abeer Shuqeir, Assistant Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Egypt.