The Egyptian government has officially launched "Silicon Waha", a new initiative aimed at establishing and operating Science and Technology Parks throughout the country to help develop the local IT sector.

Silicon Waha is the product of a partnership between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), and the New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA) of the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Construction.

The initiative seeks to stimulate the planning, design, implementation and creation of buildings and ICT tech parks throughout Egypt, offering logistical support services and initiating technology and infrastructure projects.

The aim is to provide integrated services for entrepreneurs and startups, as well as local and international companies of all sizes. The business model includes the design and assembly of electronics and promotes commercial, research, regional, international and educational relations with NGOs, universities, research centres and tech industrial companies through Innovation Clusters.

"The objective of the tech parks is to limit domestic migration by offering direct and indirect jobs to the young Egyptian across different fields," said Asmaa Hosni, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ITIDA.

"They aim to contribute to the development of disadvantaged and marginalised areas by providing electronic services to Egyptian citizens. Silicon Waha will use the technology parks to develop the skills of the country's university graduates and those who work in the governorates, as well as to motivate them to join call centres, technical support centres and electronic design and manufacture companies."

Hosni said the new parks will provide competitive operating costs for investors and a work environment conducive to investment in the governorates. The company has already started work on the initial phases of the project, with 11 buildings to be constructed in the Burj Al Arab and New Assiut governorates by the end of the year.

The Economic Ministerial Committee, headed by Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, agreed in February to the establishment of Silicon Waha.