The Egyptian and Italian governments have joined forces to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) center in Cairo, aiming to elevate Egypt as Africa’s premier technology hub.
Italy’s Minister of Economic Development, Adolfo Urso, stated during a recent Cairo meeting that the AI center could commence operations later this year.
The objective is to enable Egypt to drive AI development and applications throughout Africa, while offering training and assistance to other African nations. Both countries have committed to fostering increased collaboration between research institutions and private enterprises domestically.
In announcing the AI center plan, Urso emphasized that “Italy and Egypt are pivotal within the Mediterranean, positioned at the juncture of three continents: Europe, Africa, and Asia. Italy views Egypt as a crucial partner in advancing regional development, given its ports, energy infrastructure, and cable connections.”
Urso expressed hope that the AI center would establish Egypt as a global technology hub.
Maged Salib, a political science professor at Helwan University in Cairo and an AI expert, believes the initiative benefits both nations.
“Egypt maintains strategic partnerships with the European Union and Italy, particularly evident in the energy sector”
“With its large market, political stability, and promising economic outlook, Egypt is primed to serve as a regional AI hub, bolstered by Italian technology. Egypt, with Italian support, can provide capacity-building services to African nations.”, Salib states.
Under Prime Minister Georgia Meloni’s leadership, Italy has intensified diplomatic and economic engagements in Africa. In December, Italy’s state-controlled natural gas importer Eni unveiled plans to boost investments in Africa.
Meloni is committed to advancing the “Mattei Plan,” an investment initiative facilitating the import of natural gas and hydrogen from North Africa for export to Northern Europe. The plan aims to bolster African economies, thus mitigating migration flows to Europe.
Highlighting Africa’s centrality to her foreign policy, Meloni’s inaugural bilateral visit as prime minister was to Algeria, followed by trips to Libya, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Mozambique, and the Republic of Congo.
Federico Donelli, an assistant professor of international relations at the University of Trieste, underscores that investment in Egypt’s AI sector aligns with broader cooperation between Egypt and the European Union.
“European nations, particularly Italy, recognize the importance of supporting Egypt amid potential economic crises to avert social instability,” Donelli explains. “They seek to enhance cooperation to bolster regional development and sustainability, wary that instability in Egypt could fuel Mediterranean migration. Italy views Africa’s digital and green transitions as pivotal to the Mattei Plan, positioning itself as a digitization partner and improving Africa’s access to AI technology.”
Strategically, Italy aims to solidify its ties with Africa by fostering technological advancement and economic cooperation.