Egypt to Transition Key Public Services Exclusively to 'Digital Egypt' Platform

Government Accelerates Digital Transformation

The Egyptian government is set to exclusively transition certain in-person public services to its 'Digital Egypt' platform, a strategic move aimed at enhancing efficiency and accessibility for citizens. This initiative is a core component of Egypt's broader digital transformation strategy and its ambitious Vision 2030 goals.

Platform's Evolution and Objectives

Launched in 2020, the Digital Egypt platform is spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). Its primary objectives include simplifying public service delivery, reducing bureaucracy, and promoting transparency across government operations. The platform is designed to foster a paperless government and contribute to building an integrated digital economy, ultimately improving the quality of life for Egyptians.

Expanding Services and Future Outlook

Currently, the Digital Egypt platform offers a wide array of online government services, with figures ranging from over 175 to 200. These services encompass critical areas such as:

• Civil status documents (e.g., birth certificates)
• Traffic violations
• Real estate registration
• Social insurance
• Judicial services
• Supply, notary, and licensing services
• Food ration subsidies and vehicle inquiries

Cabinet spokesman Mohamed El-Homosany confirmed that the proposal to shift services exclusively online followed a presentation by Minister of Communications Amr Talaat. While acknowledging that some citizens still prefer in-person transactions, El-Homosany assured that the Ministry of Communications is carefully studying which services will transition to online-only access. He emphasized that these services would maintain the same level of efficiency and that citizens would receive ample prior notification before any in-person options are discontinued. Furthermore, he indicated that the cost of electronic services would be either lower than or equal to that of in-person services.

Impact and Broader Digital Initiatives

The platform has seen significant user adoption, growing from 1 million registered users in July 2022 to over 8 million. This growth underscores the increasing public engagement with digital government services. Egypt's commitment to digital transformation is also reflected in its improved international standing, ranking 103rd in the UN e-Government Development Survey in 2022, an improvement from 111th in 2020. The government continues to invest heavily in upgrading its telecommunications infrastructure, including fiber-optic networks and data centers, to support this digital shift. Complementary initiatives such as the Digital Egypt Builders Initiative and the expansion of remote medical consultations further illustrate the country's comprehensive approach to digitalizing public life.