Egypt National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (Second Edition, 2025 - 2030)

This is a national policy strategy, not enacted legislation; references to it being "enacted" should be read as "published/adopted." Egypt's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (Second Edition, 2025 - 2030) was launched in January 2025 by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), under the National Council for Artificial Intelligence, succeeding Egypt's first AI strategy (2021). It is a policy roadmap rather than binding law and does not itself impose enforceable obligations. Where the first edition focused on awareness-building and limited pilots, the second edition is more ambitious, emphasising a shift from consuming foreign technology toward "Sovereign AI", capabilities built domestically using local data and talent. The strategy's vision is to position AI as a key driver of sustainable development, economic transformation and regional (Middle East and Africa) leadership. It is structured around six pillars: Governance, Technology, Data, Infrastructure, Ecosystem, and Talent. It sets concrete targets for 2030, including an ICT contribution to GDP of 7.7%, 30,000 trained AI experts, and 250+ AI startups, alongside goals such as launching a national foundation (large language) model and establishing a strengthened regulatory and ethical system for AI. On governance, the strategy integrates the principles of the Egyptian Charter for Responsible AI (2023) into its framework and aligns with international instruments including UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, the OECD AI Principles and ISO/IEC 42001, while signalling the development of a national AI regulatory system. It situates AI governance alongside Egypt's data protection regime, cross-referencing Personal Data Protection Law No. 151 of 2020 as the legal foundation for personal data used in AI systems. As a strategy, it sets direction, targets and institutional intentions over a five-year horizon and anticipates follow-up regulatory measures; it does not create binding rights or duties on its own. Readers should treat it as a statement of government priorities and a planning instrument, with legal effect contingent on subsequent regulation and legislation.

1. 1Second edition launched January 2025 by MCIT under the National Council for AI, succeeding the 2021 strategy, covering 2025 - 2030.
2. 2Shifts emphasis toward "Sovereign AI", domestically built capabilities using local data and talent.
3. 3Structured around six pillars: governance, technology, data, infrastructure, ecosystem and talent.
4. 4Sets 2030 targets including 7.7% ICT contribution to GDP, 30,000 AI experts and 250+ AI startups, plus a national foundation model.
5. 5Integrates the Egyptian Charter for Responsible AI (2023) and aligns with UNESCO, OECD AI Principles and ISO/IEC 42001.
6. 6Signals development of a national AI regulatory and ethical system.
7. 7Cross-references Personal Data Protection Law No. 151 of 2020 for personal-data governance in AI.