The Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat and the Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsy have witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and two cooperation protocols at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology’s (MCIT) headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.
The MoU is part of the ongoing collaboration between MCIT and the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MOSS) to launch the National Project for Digital Institutional Development of Civil Society Organizations and Unions Affiliated with MOSS to empower civil society for the adaptation, integration, and sustainability of digital transformation projects.
The first protocol, signed by the National Telecommunication Institute (NTI) and Nasser Social Bank (NSB), is tailored to support approximately 3,000 freelancers with funding worth EGP 200 million while building the capacities of NSB’s staff. Meanwhile, the second protocol, between Egypt Post and the Rural and Environmental Industries Support and Rural Revitalization Fund (REIS), aims to advance financial inclusion and broaden access to financial services.
In his remarks, the ICT Minister emphasized that cooperation with MOSS is built on several key pillars. The first focuses on providing computers through installment plans as part of MCIT’s efforts to support young freelancers by equipping them with essential tools, most notably laptops, empowering them to enter and compete in the freelance job market, domestically and internationally.
Talaat explained that the second pillar aligns with MCIT’s institutional development efforts across various ministries. These efforts aim to upskill employees in the ICT fields, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, to keep pace with rapid tech advancements.
The ICT Minister also highlighted the multifaceted partnership between MOSS and Egypt Post. He noted that the current cooperation reinforces efforts to transform Egypt Post into a primary channel for delivering government services nationwide by expanding its service portfolio and capitalizing on the strong trust it enjoys among citizens, particularly in rural areas, through its vast network of over 4,500 post offices.
For her part, the Minister of Social Solidarity underlined the ongoing collaboration between the two ministries across various fields. She emphasized that investing in young talents and equipping them with the necessary skills and tools is the cornerstone of sustainable development. Through the NSB-NTI protocol, she expressed hope that NTI’s graduates will be empowered to embark on their professional careers with confidence and actively contribute to building a thriving digital future for Egypt.
Morsy also underscored that the protocol signing reflects the Bank’s commitment to deepening collaboration with NTI and solidifying its social role in delivering services to all segments of society. In this regard, funding will be provided to 3,000 freelancers, including graduates or trainees of MCIT’s initiatives, Morsy added.
In addition, the Minister of Social Solidarity pointed out that the signing of the cooperation protocol between REIS and Egypt Post is intended to foster strategic integration and collaboration. The goal is to deliver optimal outcomes in advancing financial inclusion, thus achieving sustainable social and economic development, particularly for underprivileged groups.
The MoU outlines a set of objectives and pillars, including the digital institutional development of CSOs and national associations and unions by providing technical support aimed at enhancing administrative and operational processes, strengthening communication with beneficiaries, improving data collection, protection, management, and analysis related to beneficiaries, donors, and projects, and enabling the professional digital management of projects and initiatives. It also focuses on promoting digital literacy and building digital capabilities among employees and volunteers within CSOs, associations, and unions, empowering them to safely and effectively adopt available tech tools, implement and integrate new digital systems, and adapt to emerging technologies. Additionally, the MoU entails cultivating digital knowledge ambassadors within CSOs, associations, and unions.
The MoU’s pillars will be implemented by NTI, the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), and various local and international private sector companies.
The MoU was signed by Vice ICT Minister for Institutional Development Ghada Labib and Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity Margaret Sarofim.
Labib, for her part, stated that the MoU establishes a framework for institutional collaboration to introduce and implement the National Project for Digital Institutional Development of CSOs, Associations, and Unions. The goal is to prepare civil society (organizations, associations, unions, employees, and citizens) to embrace and sustain digitization projects. This will be achieved by promoting digital culture and skills and digitally empowering all components of this ecosystem to effectively leverage IT tools and concepts.
Labib highlighted that the MoU also includes fostering digital awareness and building digital capacities to improve the performance of employees within CSOs, associations, and unions. In addition, it involves promoting digital literacy among citizens through awareness and training activities implemented as part of various state-led social initiatives.
Sarofim emphasized her ministry’s dedication to driving digital institutional development and offering technical support while nurturing digital culture and building digital capacities among employees and volunteers of CSOs, associations, and unions. These efforts aim to cultivate digital knowledge ambassadors contributing to advancing the national strategy for digital human development, fostering knowledge-based societies, and establishing an interactive, productive, and sustainable digital community.
The protocol between NTI and NSB provides funding totaling up to EGP 200 million to supply laptops to approximately 3,000 freelancers, including graduates and trainees of initiatives by MCIT and its affiliates. It also encompasses offering specialized ICT training programs for the bank’s staff to upskill them in digital transformation and cutting-edge technologies, thus boosting their efficiency and ability to keep pace with rapid tech advancements.
According to the protocol, a designated percentage of beneficiaries will be allocated to persons with disabilities (PwDs) and orphans who meet the eligibility criteria, supporting their economic and social empowerment. The protocol also provides funding valued up to EGP 65,000 per beneficiary to purchase laptops, allowing flexibility in choosing device specifications and place of purchase. Additionally, the bank offers beneficiaries several competitive advantages, including a two-year repayment period.
The protocol was signed by NTI Director Ahmed Khattab and First Vice Chairman at NSB Osama El Sayed Mohamed Khalil.
Khattab stressed that the protocol extends NTI’s pivotal role in building digital capacities and equipping young talents with essential tools to thrive in the digital job market. He explained that providing laptops addresses a major challenge faced by freelancers: access to high-spec devices.
Khattab also pointed out that NTI-NSB collaboration represents a successful model of integration among state institutions to economically and socially empower target groups, including PwDs and orphans, through flexible financing solutions and competitive advantages. He added that NTI has already trained the bank’s information systems staff on operating systems, tech infrastructure, and other tailored programs aligned with the bank’s needs.
NSB’s First Vice Chairman stated that the bank serves as the finance arm of MOSS, with all its operations closely aligned with the ministry’s programs. Under the protocol, the bank provides funding to trainees of MCIT’s various programs to purchase laptops through concessional loans featuring an interest rate 1% lower than the bank’s standard rate, along with a 50% reduction in administrative costs.
Meanwhile, the protocol signed by Egypt Post and REIS aims to strengthen the development partnership and align visions toward economically empowering underprivileged groups. This will be accomplished by diversifying the channels for delivering financial products and services to REIS’s clients, alongside promoting financial inclusion and raising financial and economic awareness within the community. These efforts will leverage Egypt Post’s extensive nationwide network of post offices and advanced digital channels.
The protocol was signed by Egypt Post’s Chairperson Dalia Elbaz and REIS’s Executive Director Angy Elyamany.
For her part, Elbaz highlighted that the protocol aligns with Egypt Post’s strategy to reinforce its developmental and social role by supporting financial inclusion initiatives. She noted that the collaboration with REIS marks an important step toward economically empowering underprivileged groups and facilitating their access to diverse financial services through post offices nationwide, in line with the state’s commitment to enhancing financial inclusion and achieving sustainable development.
