7 - Targeted Strategic Initiatives
The targeted initiatives of the National ICT
Strategy for 2012-2017 aim to enhance Egypt’s
global position in the field of ICT globally and
to increase the contribution of the sector
to the GDP. There is a general agreement
among the ICT community that the targeted
initiatives identified below have a priority in
implementation and address specific challenges
and needs that are high on the national agenda.
The initiatives will also play an important role
in empowering the Egyptian society and in
contributing to the sustainable development
goals by offering higher quality series at lower
cost to the Egyptian citizen.
The targeted strategic initiatives include:
Digital Identity Management Initiative
Arabic Digital Content Initiative
Educational Reform Initiative using ICTs, Cloud
Computing and the Tablet Computer
Back to Africa Initiative
ICT for Empowering People with Disabilities
Initiative (PWDs)
Green ICT Initiative
In addition, the Broadband Initiative was launched
in September 2011 and is considered a key
milestone in the ICT sector plan. The initiative
aims at promoting the high-speed Internet
industry in Egypt with its three elements:
networks, services and users, establishing
the leading position of Egypt in the region in
this field in light of the changes experienced
by the country and the massive demand on
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the internet speed and the quality of services
provided, in addition to the increased desire of
users for accessing the visual content, news
and multimedia services. The national plan of
the Broadband Initiative (eMisr) was launched
and comprises two phases:
The objectives of the initiative are summarized
as follows:
Egypt to reach a leading position in the digital
communication field
Stimulating economic growth nationwide
and enhancing social cohesion
Increasing job opportunities
Coordinating with other Egyptian government
sectors and improving the standard of living
and the quality of life for all citizens
Bridging the digital gap in Egypt
These objectives were identified for their
relevance to the current priorities of Egypt
and the major world economies. Egypt’s
previous national ICT strategies supported the
establishment of solid telecommunications
infrastructure, development of a vibrant ICT
sector, growth in access to and use of ICTs,
empowerment and capacity building. Looking
forward, the current strategy, while building
on and developing these efforts, also aims to
unlock the latent potential of ICTs to promote
and support advancement not only for the
sector, but for the wider economy and society
as a whole.