The Egyptian government, through the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the IT Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), has taken an active role in developing ICT capabilities within the country and positioning ICT as a cornerstone of economic development and foreign investment

The Egyptian ICT sector’s contribution to GDP grew by 13% in 2017-18, reaching LE65.9bn ($9bn) and representing 4.1% of total GDP. In 2019, 177 export-oriented firms, employing 45,000 workers, generated ICT exports of LE11.2bn ($1.5bn). The local-facing IT sector, meanwhile, employed a further 66,000 people in this period, according to the Oxford Business Group. 

Why working with Egyptian IT companies

Egypt has a broad base of skilled labor, that is multi-lingual across English, German, French, and Arabic. This base makes Egypt an attractive and cost-effective market with minimal communication barriers to provide outsourced services to Western, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets. Based on these resources Egyptian IT companies and web agencies located there are considered accessible and gain an advantage in the regional market.

What to be aware of when working with Egyptian IT companies? 

Due to the fact that Egypt is known more for cheap prices for web and software services rather than for IT companies, the last ones didn’t have the chance to make themselves a name and consolidate a reputation. 

Since the foreign companies offer a good price for the Egyptian IT workforce, the local web and software agencies have to work with what they pay for. And this may be a challenge for foreign clients that seek right now quality more than anything else. 

How reliable are Egyptian IT companies

In terms of reliability in the region, Egyptian IT companies are considered trustworthy, mostly. The specific region makes companies from each country unique and in Egypt’s case, potential foreign clients can rely on the Egyptian skilled workforce, well-developed business environment, and also, Egyptian companies provide competitive services. 

How does the Egyptian IT industry relate to the neighboring countries?

Egyptian IT companies are considered more and more competitive in the regional digital market. The credits for this performance are mostly given to a continuously developing IT infrastructure and industry that managed to bring the IT sector to the level of a vital component of the national economy. 

Also, another important factor that contributes to the Egyptian IT sector competitiveness is the way how the region is divided into subsector leaders. While Israel is well known for providing high-quality cybersecurity solutions on the international market, and Saudi Arabia makes the most of the web site in the region, Egypt provides software and mobile applications that are considered one of the best in the region. 

All in all, Egypt is a promising destination for both outsourcing and B2B relations in the region and is one of the pretendants to the overall IT regional leadership.