The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) wrapped up its "Aswan Camps Series" program at the Creativa Digital Egypt Innovation Center in Aswan. The event saw the attendance of Eng. Amr Lashin, Governor of Aswan; Eng. Ahmed El Zaher, CEO of ITIDA; Dr. Loay Saad El Din Nosrat, Acting President of Aswan University; and Karima El Hakim, Executive Partner at Plug and Play Egypt. A host of entrepreneurs, startup founders, and innovation ecosystem partners also joined the celebration.
Eng. Ahmed El Zaher, CEO of ITIDA, shared his thoughts, saying, "The Aswan Camps Series program is a practical example of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and ITIDA's efforts to support and empower young entrepreneurs across various governorates, especially in Upper Egypt. This region holds immense potential for creating startups capable of growth, export, and regional and international competition."
Tech Startups
He added, "Supporting tech startups or those built on innovative IT solutions is a core part of ITIDA's strategy to develop the information technology industry. These companies are a key driver for sustainable innovation and a fundamental pillar for the sector's growth and enhanced competitiveness."
El Zaher also noted that the program's success highlights the importance of effective partnerships with the private sector and global accelerators, especially Plug and Play, in sharing expertise and connecting companies with markets and investors.
The program aligns with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's strategy to support entrepreneurship and empower youth in various governorates, boosting the Ministry's efforts to expand beyond the capital and build a comprehensive innovation ecosystem in Upper Egypt.
Program Launch
ITIDA launched the program in November 2024 in partnership with Plug and Play and in collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The goal was to support 60 tech startups through a series of specialized training camps.
During the program's implementation, some changes in international development cooperation programs led to a halt in funding. However, the overwhelming interest, with over 150 startups from various Upper Egypt governorates applying—after three phases were already completed—provided a strong incentive to continue the initiative. ITIDA decided to complete all phases of the program and cover its funding, driven by its confidence in the capabilities of Upper Egypt's startups and their promising growth opportunities.
Throughout the program, 61 startups from Aswan and other Upper Egypt governorates received support through an intensive program combining training and mentorship from a selection of experts.
The program yielded tangible results, with several companies successfully attracting investments estimated at around 200 million EGP, reflecting investors' confidence in the capabilities of Egyptian startups and their business models.
Plug and Play
Karima El Hakim, Executive Partner at Plug and Play Egypt, stated, "We are proud of our partnership with ITIDA in implementing this program, which represents a successful model of cooperation between the government and private sectors to support startups in Upper Egypt and highlight the promising potential of entrepreneurs in these governorates."
She added that the remarkable development in the level of participating companies, especially from Upper Egypt, reflects the great capabilities of entrepreneurs in Egypt, and we look forward to continuing to support them and connect them with global investment networks.
The closing events of the "Aswan Camps Series" program included a series of specialized discussion sessions. A highlight was a session titled "Building Inclusive Financial Systems Through Technology and Regulatory Frameworks," which discussed how to leverage technological solutions and supportive legislation to enhance financial inclusion and support startup growth.
Several participating startups also shared their success stories, the challenges they faced, their experiences during the program, and the key benefits that helped develop their business models and prepare them for growth.
An Integrated System to Support Tech Startups
The closing events concluded with a discussion session titled "Cairo Startup Founders," which explored entrepreneurs' experiences in building their companies, their visions for expansion, dealing with market challenges, and attracting investments.
ITIDA operates with a clear vision to enhance Egypt's position as a leading hub for technology and innovation. It achieves this by providing an integrated system to support startups, starting from spreading an entrepreneurial culture through programs like InnovEgypt, moving through incubation and acceleration programs, and finally supporting expansion and connecting companies with investors.
The agency also offers its services and programs in 19 innovation centers spread across the Republic, as part of the Creativa Digital Egypt Innovation Centers network, which includes 24 centers. These centers act as direct contact points with entrepreneurs, empowering youth and connecting them with markets.
To further enhance the innovation ecosystem, ITIDA launched the updated version of the EgyptInnovate platform. This digital platform connects startups with investors and supporting entities, facilitating access to funding opportunities, knowledge, and markets, while encouraging startups to benefit from the platform's services.
ITIDA affirmed its ongoing efforts to expand these initiatives, with plans to launch similar programs to support startups in the Delta governorates in the coming period, as part of its vision to strengthen Egypt's position as a leading center in technology and entrepreneurship.
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