Rwandan Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire and Egyptian Minister of Communications and Information Technology Raafat Hindi met in Cairo on June 29 to identify new areas of collaboration, agreeing to prepare a memorandum of understanding that will establish a framework for cooperation in information and communication technologies.
The ministers focused their discussions on launching AI pilot projects in several priority sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, digital public services and technologies designed for local languages.
Kigali and Cairo also plan to strengthen cooperation among government agencies, universities, research centers and innovation hubs, with the aim of promoting knowledge transfer, applied research and the development of AI talent.
Beyond bilateral cooperation, Rwanda and Egypt want to advance a shared African approach to artificial intelligence based on the principles of responsibility, inclusion and sustainable development. The ministers discussed closer coordination in regional and international forums on AI governance to press common African positions on emerging technologies.
Egypt already participates in the African Union’s artificial intelligence working group and contributes to the AI Council of Smart Africa. The partnership comes as both countries accelerate their national AI strategies.
Rwanda recently approved the creation of a National Artificial Intelligence Agency to coordinate investment, innovation and governance in the sector, a decision that follows the launch of the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure strategy.
Egypt, meanwhile, continues to implement its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025-2030, which aims to integrate AI into public services, develop a specialized workforce and strengthen research capabilities. The government has adopted an operational implementation plan with monitoring indicators and continues to expand partnerships with African countries to accelerate AI adoption across the continent.
