Minister of Communications and Information Technology, inaugurates the annual celebration of the "Qudwa.Tech: The Future of Women's Empowerment in the Era of Digital Transformation 2025" initiative.

Project : Qodwa .Tech

Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, emphasized that Egypt's Digital Strategy, launched by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology more than seven years ago, aims to build an integrated digital society through which all citizens are empowered to use technology and benefit from its potential in all aspects of life. He added that the "Qudwa.Tech" initiative, launched by the Ministry six years ago, falls within the framework of implementing this strategy. The initiative aims to empower Egyptian women across the country to use information technology to advance their careers and achieve their ambitions.
This came in a speech delivered by Dr. Amr Talaat during the opening of the fifth annual celebration of the "Qudwa.Tech: The Future of Women's Empowerment in the Era of Digital Transformation 2025" initiative, held this year under the theme "Partnerships that Enhance Impact." This coincides with the sixth anniversary of the launch of the initiative, which aims to develop the digital skills of Egyptian women by employing the latest information and communications technology technologies that are most compatible with their professional and societal needs. This celebration also coincides with World Telecommunication and Information Technology Day, which this year is held under the theme "Gender Equality in Digital Transformation."
In his speech, Dr. Amr Talaat noted that women are the foundation and pillar of the Egyptian family and society. Accordingly, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is keen to make its training programs available to all women, while launching initiatives specifically for women, including the "Qudwa.Tech" initiative, which has succeeded over the past six years in training more than 30,000 women from various governorates and training 55 knowledge pioneers, who have contributed to the transfer of digital skills to more than 16,000 women within their communities. Additionally, it has raised community awareness about the use of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, by highlighting its potential, ways to benefit from it, and mitigating its risks.
Dr. Amr Talaat emphasized the Ministry's continued efforts to expand the base of beneficiaries of the initiative. He noted that during his visits to the governorates, he regularly meets with successful women who have benefited from the Qudwa.Tech initiative and successfully utilized the digital skills they acquired in digital marketing for their handicraft products.
At the conclusion of the opening session, Dr. Amr Talaat honored a number of experts and representatives of local and international partners of the Qudwa.Tech initiative, in recognition of their effective role in enhancing the digital skills of the initiative's beneficiaries over the past year.
He also honored a number of successful role models who acquired digital skills through the initiative's training courses. He also honored impact-makers from knowledge pioneers and partners, in appreciation of their ongoing efforts to sustain knowledge dissemination and enhance digital social inclusion for the initiative's beneficiaries.
It is worth noting that the Qudwa.Tech initiative has succeeded in empowering approximately 32,000 women across the country over the past six years through integrated programs to build digital capabilities and provide ongoing guidance and support services to measure impact and solve challenges using technological solutions. It also contributed to raising community awareness about digital financial technology and financial inclusion, and topics with sustainable development dimensions such as e-health and digital protection through more than 100 awareness events. The initiative has established a sustainable community model based on transferring knowledge from one woman to another, where it performs  Knowledge pioneers play an active role in empowering their peers to use technology and share expertise in the fields of crafts and project management, enhancing women's entrepreneurial opportunities and contributing to expanding the scope of digital empowerment within society.
During the celebration, Mr. Ghamar Deeb, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program in Egypt, delivered a speech in which he highlighted the program's role in promoting the social and economic empowerment of women and youth in Egypt's governorates through close and ongoing cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. He also highlighted its role in creating more job opportunities for all segments of society, increasing investments to promote gender equality, and supporting national efforts to achieve sustainable development plans, based on the international development goals.
Eng. Hoda Dahroug, Advisor to the Minister of Communications and Information Technology for Digital Community Development, presented the most prominent achievements of the "Qudwa.Tech" initiative, highlighting its alignment with the actual needs of Egyptian women and its role in empowering local cadres of women who own craft and service businesses, and building a network of role models capable of leading the digital transformation in their communities. The presentation highlighted the innovative digital solutions provided by the initiative, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, along with the impact of effective partnerships that have provided real opportunities to integrate women into the local, regional, and international digital economy. The initiative also embraces the environmental dimension at all stages of implementation. The presentation highlighted the initiative's future vision, which is based on a comprehensive community engagement strategy that has so far included more than 25 national, regional, and international partners. It has contributed to presenting successful integrative models between the state, civil society, and the private sector, ensuring the sustainability of the digital and economic empowerment of Egyptian women. It also highlighted the success stories and societal change resulting from this collaboration. For his part, Mr. Adham Kassab, Director of the e-Government and Innovation Support Project (InnoPA) at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), praised the cooperation between the agency and the initiative in implementing the first training camp, which brought together distinguished models of female beneficiaries from Qudwa.Tech, where they exchanged experiences and knowledge with a number of representatives of startups and institutions on various topics, such as entrepreneurship, business development, and expanding their projects. They learned the latest technological solutions, digital marketing techniques, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence.
The celebration highlighted the efforts of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in building human capital and developing the digital innovation and creativity skills of individuals in society. It also highlighted the special attention the Ministry, in cooperation with its strategic partner, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), places on empowering Egyptian women digitally.
The event highlighted the efforts of influential partners in supporting the initiative's activities, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and international institutions, to enhance the economic and social status of women.
A session titled "Strengthening Community Partnerships for Sustained Impact" was also held, moderated by Ms. Walaa Wagdy, winner of the "Role Model of the Year" award and an Impact Maker from the "Qudwa.Tech" initiative. The event was attended by a select group of partners and experts, including Eng. Hesham El-Essawy, Chairman of the Export Council for Handicrafts and Industries; Ms. Radwa El-Hawary, Director of Sustainability Centers at the "Senaa El Khair" Foundation; Mr. Mostafa Gabr, Productivity Consultant and TEDx Speaker; and Mr. Ahmed Rostom, Executive Director of the "Wuilt" platform. Participants discussed the most prominent challenges facing "Qudwa.Tech" beneficiaries and reviewed the digital support opportunities their organizations can contribute to, emphasizing that community partnerships are a pivotal element in ensuring the sustainability of the initiative's developmental impact. At the conclusion of the session, Dr. Hala El-Sadig, Head of the Central Administration for Digital Community Development, announced a number of recommendations, most notably the importance of organized collective work with Qudwa.Tech to develop the value chain for a specific heritage craft, and intensifying efforts in digital documentation, property protection, and exclusive technical development of the selected craft, using technological tools that preserve Egyptian identity and reflect the uniqueness of local culture. Empowering women to lead this trend through training and collaboration in producing professional digital content (such as photography, narration, and design) that reflects their skills and tells their stories.
The celebration also witnessed the announcement of the future vision of the "Qudwa.Tech" initiative, as part of keeping pace with rapid technological developments. This includes expanding training on artificial intelligence tools and producing digital content using the latest technologies, while targeting new groups such as women with disabilities and technical education graduates. The vision also includes continuing to organize training camps and expanding partnerships, especially with the private sector and national initiatives.
A short documentary was also screened highlighting the most prominent features of fruitful collaboration with institutional partnerships, the results of success stories achieved through these partnerships, and the social, economic, and cognitive impact on beneficiaries and their local communities.
Cairo, May 18, 2025