Strategy Drafting Methodology
The Ministry of Communications and Information
Technology was established in 1999 to develop
the national ICT sector. Highlights of MCIT’s
journey so far include the release of the
National Communications Plan in 2000, the
Strategy for Building the Information Society
in 2003, the IT Industry National Development
Strategy in 2006, and the National Strategy for
Communications and Information Technology
in 2007.
The National ICT Strategy for 2012-2017 is
another important stage of this process. Yet it
is also significant as its release comes at the
beginning of a new era for Egypt. As such, the
strategy was formulated for implementation
in an atmosphere of political and economic
change, to support the country’s transition
while contributing to the development of the
communications sector both regionally and
internationally. As with previous strategies, it
focuses on integrating ICTs across all sectors
to serve the national development priorities,
which include preserving natural resources and
the environment.
Primary Considerations
In the formulation of this strategy, the primary
considerations were the political and economic
changes taking place in Egypt, the development
of the communications sector both regionally and
internationally, and Egypt’s national development
priorities, in addition to the achievements and
challenges of the sector over the last decade.
Work Methodology
The methodology followed in the drafting of
the strategy relied on participation and dialogue
between MCIT and affiliated entities, in addition
to community dialogue with government
entities, the private sector and civil society
organizations. Work began following the
formation of a specialized committee by the
Minister of Communications and Information
Technology mandated to draft the strategy.
The committee included representatives from
various departments of MCIT and its affiliated
entities. The general framework and main
features of the strategy were defined and
reviewed in cooperation with the executive
committee of the ministry.
In February 2012, an executive summary
of the strategy was introduced before the
People’s Assembly and the Cabinet. In
addition, dialogues were initiated with the
wider community, including meetings with
representatives from the private sector, civil
society and the media. As ICT impacts on
performance across all sectors of the economy,
MCIT held a meeting with representatives from
all government ministries to ensure their needs
would be reflected within the new ICT strategy.
12
13
This meeting included a review of efforts
exerted over the previous 10 years, an overview
of the features of the National ICT Strategy for
2012-2017 and discussion of the future plans of
the various ministries in this context.
In March 2012, a detailed presentation on
the ICT sector was held for the Transport
and Information Committee of the People’s
Assembly highlighting the progress of the
sector through successive development
strategies since 2000 and the features of the
new strategy. The drafting team incorporated
relevant input from the attendees into the
current document.
Strategy Framework
The present document is divided into two main
parts:
The first part includes the vision, mission, aims
and policies for the ICT sector from 2012 to
2017, as well as the most important legislative
amendments that will be formulated during
this period.
The second part introduces the seven main
pillars of the strategy and their corresponding
programs, and the six targeted initiatives to be
implemented through the executive plan of the
strategy.
The executive plan of the strategy, including
all the projects to be implemented through
the strategic axes and targeted initiatives, is
presented in a separate document.