Egypt is aiming to bring in USD 21 bn from digital exports over the next five years, a government source told EnterpriseAM. The sector is currently seeing strong inflows of FDI, which is driving growth and prompting an expansion in outsourcing service centers.

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The breakdown: More than half of the figure — USD 13 bn — is expected to come from outsourcing services alone, according to the source.

As things stand: Egypt’s digital exports jumped to USD 6.9 bn in 2024 — up from USD 1.5 bn ten years earlier. This jump helped boost the ICT and electronics sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP to 5.8% in the fiscal year 2023-24, up from 3% in the fiscal year 2013-14.

And for the years to come: The government wants to see digital exports bring in some USD 8 bn next fiscal year.

The government wants the ICT sector to contribute 8% to the country’s GDP by 2030, according to a government document seen by EnterpriseAM. To support that goal the government wants to increase the number of outsourcing service centers to 56, expand the mobile tower network to 45k, set up 20 fiber optic manufacturing plants, launch a freezone for ICT services in the SCZone, and training 1 mn people in the sector, up from 265k currently. The government also aims to grow the sector’s output to EGP 1.1 tn by the end of FY 2028-2029.

To make the goal a reality: The government is looking to attract more startups to base their remote outsourcing operations in Egypt. The source added that around 175 outsourcing companies have already established 200 centers across the country, creating jobs for around 60k professionals in digital services.

To sweeten the pot: The government is considering fresh incentives to attract further investments in the sector, the source said. The cabinet has approved a 70% increase in investment allocations for the upcoming fiscal year to accelerate digital transformation efforts.

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