As digital technologies become more and more central to global power and governance, questions of sovereignty are no longer confined to borders, armies, or resources. The ability of a state to manage its digital infrastructure, protect its data, regulate foreign platforms, and shape its own digital future has become a core element of national autonomy.
This is the essence of digital sovereignty — a state’s capacity to exert independent control over its digital infrastructure, data flows, and technological standards — ensuring that digital policies, platforms, and services operate in alignment with it values, interests, national laws, and goals.
This encompasses the state’s control over cloud storage, data governance, cyber security, artificial intelligence, and cross-border digital interactions, while also determining how external digital actors such as global tech companies operate within a country’s jurisdiction.
Egypt’s recent efforts in this domain reflect a growing recognition of the strategic importance of digital control and capability. From infrastructure and legal frameworks to regional cooperation and public-service platforms, progress has been made on several fronts. However, these efforts remain uneven and loosely connected. What is needed now is a more integrated vision, one that treats digital sovereignty not as a collection of projects, but as a national policy priority.
A key milestone in this journey came in April 2024 with the inauguration of Egypt’s first Government Data and Cloud Computing Centre. This facility is powered by renewable energy and designed to host essential state applications, big data analysis, and disaster recovery services. It also positions Egypt as a potential data corridor between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, an ambition in line with its geographic and diplomatic weight.
This development was part of the broader Digital Egypt Strategy led by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). As of 2025, the Digital Egypt Platform offers over 170 public services online, allowing citizens to access civil registration, judicial records, licensing, and health-related services through digital portals. These initiatives have modernised public administration and reduced bureaucratic friction.
The economic results are notable. According to MCIT, The ICT sector grew by 16.3 per cent in 2023, contributing 5.8 per cent of GDP in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, up from five per cent the year before, with total revenues reaching LE315 billion. Meanwhile, digital exports climbed to $6.2 billion, reflecting a 26 per cent year-on-year increase. These numbers show that the digital economy is not only an internal priority, but also an emerging component of Egypt’s global economic footprint.
Legally, Egypt has taken an important step with the Personal Data Protection Law (No. 151 of 2020), which regulates how both public and private entities manage personal data. It imposes penalties ranging from three months’ imprisonment to fines of up to LE5 million for violations. This framework brings Egypt closer to international norms, but its implementation will require careful balancing between enforcement and the space needed for digital innovation.
Equally important is the focus on human capital. More than one million Egyptians have been trained in digital skills through partnerships with international actors such as the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and IBM. Initiatives like Mahara Tech and Qodwa Tech target youth, women, and persons with disabilities, aiming to create an inclusive digital economy. These efforts, while essential, will require stronger linkages to employment systems, entrepreneurship platforms, and the private sector to yield long-term outcomes.
At the regional level, Egypt plays an active role in the Arab Digital Agenda (2023–2033) developed with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the Arab League. This initiative seeks to harmonise cyber security protocols, strengthen Arabic digital content, and reduce external dependency. Egypt’s experience and centrality make it well placed to lead these efforts, though regional leadership now depends as much on shaping digital norms as it does on hosting infrastructure.
However, a major institutional gap persists: Egypt would benefit from articulating a comprehensive digital sovereignty strategy, one that integrates infrastructure development, legal protections, international engagement, and long-term planning into a unified vision. Without this, the various components of digital transformation may remain siloed, risking inefficiencies and missed opportunities for influence.
Furthermore, Egypt has not yet appointed a Digital Ambassador — a dedicated envoy to represent national interests in global digital forums and with major technology platforms. Countries such as France, India, Denmark, and Israel have already created such positions, recognising that diplomacy in the digital age extends beyond traditional foreign ministries. For Egypt, such a role could link domestic strategies to global rule-making processes on AI, cyber security, and data governance.
Another challenge lies in maintaining a careful equilibrium between national security imperatives and the need for openness and adaptability in digital systems. Ensuring resilience against external and internal threats is critical, but so is enabling systems that foster innovation, build public trust, and support diverse social and economic actors. This balance will define the quality and durability of Egypt’s digital condition.
At the international level, recent developments reinforce the urgency of such a shift. During the 2024 UN General Assembly, digital inclusion and cooperation were at the forefront of discussions. Initiatives such as Mastercard’s “Digital Transformation Together” and the UN’s creative digital envoy Elyx illustrated how states and institutions are using digital tools not just for service delivery, but also for diplomacy and soft power. Egypt, with its institutional reach and regional leadership, has the potential to contribute more visibly to these global brainstorming and trendsetting initiatives in the digital industry.
In sum, Egypt has made substantial progress in its digital transformation. The infrastructure is expanding, digital services are scaling, and the legal and economic frameworks are maturing. But moving from digital progress to digital sovereignty requires a deliberate shift from initiatives to strategic cohesion and from implementation to representation.
The opportunity presents itself, and Egypt should seize it now — fully, firmly, and with confidence and foresight.
The writer is a professor of political science at New Giza University.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 22 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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