GIZ Egypt hosts landmark digital transformation forum to accelerate industry 4.0 adoption in Egypt's manufacturing sector
Cairo, Egypt: In a powerful demonstration of commitment to Egypt's economic future, GIZ Egypt today convened a landmark Digital Transformation Forum, drawing the participation of key government officials, private sector pioneers, and leading industry experts. The high-profile event, held in Cairo, underscores a concerted national effort to empower Egypt's industrial sector through the adoption of cutting-edge Industry 4.0 technologies.
Esteemed representatives from pivotal organizations including the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), the Industrial Modernization Center (IMC), the Chamber of Information Technology and Communication (CIT), Banque Du Caire (BDC) , and the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), as well as industry leaders such as INTEGRATION International Management Consultants GmbH, the Egyptian Association for Industrial Technology (Egypt4Industry), and the Egyptian International Pharmaceutical Industries Company (EIPICO), actively engaged with manufacturers from key industrial zones spanning the 6th of October, Sadat, Beni Suef, Borg El Arab, and Fayoum. This strategic scene of diverse expertise aims to bridge the existing gap between industrial needs and the transformative potential of advanced technologies, directly contributing to the competitiveness of local manufacturers and accelerating localization within the sector.
Bringing together over 70 influential stakeholders, the event served as a dynamic platform for fostering awareness, sharing practical applications of Industry 4.0, and forging crucial business connections between manufacturers, support institutions, and technology service providers.
Mr. Sameh Hammad, Head of Component 'Clusters / Industrial Zones Development' in the Project Job Partnerships and SME Promotion in Egypt (JP-SME), at GIZ Egypt emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative, stating, 'With Egypt focusing on elevating the ICT sector's contribution to 8% of GDP by 2030, digital transformation is not merely an option, but an imperative. Egypt's unwavering commitment to embracing Industry 4.0 across all sectors is evident, and GIZ is proud to be supporting this evolution. This forum embodies our dedication to equipping local manufacturers with the essential tools and knowledge to compete in the era of smart manufacturing, fostering sustainable industrial growth powered by innovation.'
For his part, Mr. Marcus Antonius Casel, Team Leader at INTEGRATION International Management Consultants GmbH, said, 'Egypt has an ambitious vision to increase the industrial sector's current contribution to GDP from 14% to 20–30%. This vision aligns perfectly with INTEGRATION's experience in emerging markets, as demonstrated through our two-year partnership with GIZ on the Cluster Development Project, which has already shown transformative potential in driving innovation. We are committed to building on our collective achievements to further strengthen Egypt's industrial resilience.'
Mr. Muhammad Said, Co-founder and Board Member of the Egyptian Association for Industrial Technology (Egypt4Industry), conveyed his organization's dedication, stating, 'Egypt4Industry is deeply committed to the advancement of Egypt's industrial sector. We achieve this by delivering specialized advisory services that empower factories and industrial zones to strategically leverage digital solutions, leading to tangible improvements in productivity, sustainability, and overall resilience. We extend our sincere appreciation to our invaluable partner, GIZ. Their resources, profound expertise, and unwavering support have been instrumental in empowering businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the industrial landscape.'
This significant forum marks a pivotal milestone in Egypt's ambitious journey towards a digitally empowered industrial future. By fostering robust collaboration between manufacturers, technology innovators, and key institutional partners, GIZ and its partners are actively constructing the foundation for a more intelligent, agile, and competitive manufacturing ecosystem. This progress is further reinforced by Egypt's substantial investments in digital infrastructure, with a dedicated allocation of USD 1.6 billion.
About GIZ:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. Operating in Egypt since 1956, GIZ provides technical expertise, develops capacities, and delivers effective solutions in close partnership with local governmental and non-governmental organisations. GIZ supports Egypt in its efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Strategy: Egypt Vision 2030 and to create better social and economic prospects for the Egyptian people.
On behalf of the German Government, the European Union, and other parties, GIZ implements more than 20 projects with a total budget of over 190 million Euros, in all parts of Egypt in the following areas of cooperation: Energy, Water, Economic Development, Governance and Urban Development.
This event is implemented on behalf of the German Government by GIZ Egypt through the Project Job Partnerships and SME Promotion (JP-SME), as part of the Invest for Jobs - Special Initiative "Decent Work for a Just Transition".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
15 hours ago
- Zawya
GIZ Egypt and Enactus Egypt to organise the second "NextGen Onboard" Employment and Career Summit for Youth
Cairo – GIZ Egypt and Enactus Egypt, in collaboration with iCareer, are organized the second "NextGen Onboard" career summit. This event culminates a successful two-year strategic partnership aimed at bridging the gap between labour market needs and the aspirations of university graduates. The summit seeks to enhance decent employment opportunities and equip youth with the necessary skills to keep pace with evolving labour market demands, as part of joint efforts to achieve a socially just transition. The first career summit achieved remarkable success, with the second summit expected to attract even broader participation from prominent private sector companies seeking to recruit young talent in various vital sectors, including information technology, construction, food industries, and international development. In addition to providing direct employment opportunities, the summit will include specialised workshops and discussion panels focusing on the latest trends in and needs of the job market. Mr. Andreas Ruepp, Head of the Private Sector Development Programme at GIZ Egypt, lauded the profound and transformative partnership with Enactus Egypt. He emphasized that the initiatives like 'NextGen Onboard' and the career summit have been instrumental in catalysing the empowerment and skills development of Egyptian youth. This dynamic collaboration has not only created over 250 new job opportunities but has also exemplified a steadfast commitment to gender equality by ensuring that 50% of these opportunities are dedicated to empowering women. Ms. Fatma Sirry, CEO of Enactus Egypt, stated: "'NextGen Onboard' shows our commitment to developing the skills and potential of young people. Through this partnership, we have been able to provide integrated support and guidance to students and graduates through a selection of the best training experts, enabling them to acquire the necessary skills to successfully integrate into the labour market." It is worth noting that this career summit is held exclusively as part of Enactus Egypt's annual national competition, where students compete by presenting social entrepreneurship projects aimed at solving societal challenges, providing companies with a unique opportunity to connect with Enactus's most distinguished graduates and students. This programme has been implemented for two consecutive years to provide comprehensive support and guidance to students and graduates, effectively connecting them with private sector companies. On behalf of the German Government, GIZ Egypt, through the project Job Partnerships and SME Promotion (JP-SME), is implementing the "NextGen Onboard" programme in partnership with Enactus Egypt. Follow this link for more information about the project: Job Partnerships and SME Promotion in Egypt (JP-SME) (
Arabian Business
a day ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai's Emirates, IHG Hotels sign new deal targeting small business travel market
Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore joint collaborations on programmes designed to meet the travel needs of Small and Medium Enterprises across global markets. The signing ceremony was attended by Nabil Sultan, Emirates' Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management; Matthew Jones, VP-USA, Emirates; Ashraf Baytam, Senior Manager Global Business Travel, Emirates; and Ryan Plemmons, Vice President, Global Sales Strategy, IHG Hotels & Resorts. The partnership will see Emirates and IHG explore ways to reach and engage with SMEs through value-added benefits and rewards to facilitate business travel, according to a statement by the Dubai Media Office. Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore joint collaborations on programmes designed to meet the travel needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across global markets. — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 30, 2025 Dubai airline Emirates partners with IHG Hotels for small business travel programme The hotel group will provide travel incentives and integration with its portfolio of hotels and resorts around the globe. 'With the SME segment playing a crucial role in fostering economic growth and creating jobs, Emirates is committed to supporting them with solutions and value-added propositions to meet their travel needs. We are pleased to collaborate with the leading hotel group, IHG Hotels & Resorts, to explore programmes that will be mutually beneficial to our valued customers. Together we aim to extend valuable benefits to our customers in the SME sector, while expanding our customer base in this very important segment,' Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management said. The collaboration aims to support the SME segment through programmes that will provide benefits to customers whilst expanding both companies' customer bases in this market segment. 'We are thrilled to partner with Emirates to redefine business travel for Small and Medium Enterprises worldwide. This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to delivering exceptional value, seamless experiences, and exclusive rewards tailored to the unique needs of SMEs. By combining IHG's hospitality expertise with Emirate's global connectivity, we are unlocking new possibilities to empower businesses and drive growth across international markets,' Mark Sergot, SVP, Global Sales, IHG Hotels & Resorts added.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Creativity sparks innovation within SME South Africa
Creativity, innovation, and digital acumen are the order of the day at SME South Africa. As a digital platform that continuously strives to serve its audience, solve the problems of South African SMEs, and highlight the solutions that brands offer, the company understands how vital it is to have a strong team driving success. It's this combination of skilled individuals and the inventive use of digital tools that the platform proudly champions. Identifying human creativity and digital advancement To build a resilient and high-performing business, it is crucial to have a team aligned with the company's values and goals. SME South Africa's parent brand, Oak Ventures, regularly reinforces the importance of building with 'the ideal team member' and the frameworks that support consistent growth. The ideal team player is defined as someone who is smart, humble, and hungry. In other words, someone eager to drive advancement. SME South Africa also runs on the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a model that supports strong culture, accountability, and operational efficiency. A core EOS principle is having 'the right people in the right seats,' ensuring talented individuals are empowered to do their best work in roles suited to their strengths. This principle recently came to life through an innovation by Karabo Kgopane, SME South Africa's community manager, who developed a new AI chatbot to assist entrepreneurs directly via social media. The SME Advice Growth Bot was created as an extension of the SME Advice offering, giving entrepreneurs instant, real-time support. It draws information from SME South Africa's website and, when additional help is needed, directs users to business mentors via the SME Advice platform. By offering on-demand digital mentorship, the bot complements broader brand initiatives such as the SME Growth Pod pop-up campaign and the 2025 SME South Africa Funding Summit. Together, these efforts reflect the organisation's commitment to making business support more accessible, practical, and immediate. Bringing AI into unlikely places Kgopane developed the chatbot using Meta's new chatbot tools, a feature he was eager to explore and adapt for South African entrepreneurs. 'It's the era of AI. Everyone's trying to use it in a smart, accessible way,' says Kgopane. 'None of our competitors are using AI quite like this, so I immediately saw the opportunity to fill the gap.' The SME Advice Growth Bot bridges the gap between social media discovery and meaningful brand engagement. Because it's integrated into WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, it meets entrepreneurs where they already spend time, offering 24/7 mobile access to reliable, relevant business support. Recognising exceptional innovation SME South Africa's leadership team has recognised Kgopane's creativity and foresight as major contributors to the brand's recent social media growth and expanding reach. In recognition of his efforts, he has been nominated for the Social Media Wiz category at the upcoming New Generation Awards. 'He's an exceptionally talented individual who brings a rare combination of creativity, precision, and strategic thinking to everything he does,' says Velly Bosega, CEO of SME South Africa (Oak Ventures). 'His work is consistently sharp, engaging, and perfectly aligned with our brand values – a true testament to his deep understanding of the digital landscape.' Though the SME Advice Growth Bot is still in its early training phase, the response from users has already been overwhelmingly positive; a promising indicator of its future success.
