Participation in the Informal Economy Workshop Organized by the Union for the Mediterranean

Project : Qodwa .Tech

Engineer Hoda Dahroug, Advisor to the Minister for Digital Community Development and Director of the Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development Project in Egypt, participated in the informal economy workshop organized by the Union for the Mediterranean under the title "Opportunities, Trends, and Best Practices." The workshop was held in cooperation with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and under the auspices of the European Union. The panel discussion focused on best practices in transitioning from the informal to the formal economy.

During the workshop, the Advisor to the Minister outlined the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's vision for building a digital Egypt. This vision has resulted in the telecommunications sector becoming the fastest-growing sector in the country for the seventh consecutive year. She also highlighted the Ministry's active role in supporting creativity and innovation through the establishment of Egypt's Digital Innovation Centers in all governorates. Furthermore, she noted the adoption and launch of several prominent community initiatives aimed at building digital capabilities and raising public awareness about using information technology tools and applications. This empowers individuals from all backgrounds and equips them to keep pace with the transition to a digital society.

The Advisor to the Minister also highlighted the role of the Qudwa Initiative. The initiative aims to empower women by transitioning female artisans in Egypt from the informal economy to the formal economy, leveraging modern technology. It highlights the incentives offered by the initiative, which capitalize on the competitive advantages and unique crafts of each Egyptian region and governorate. The initiative seeks to integrate craftsmanship with technology, based on key pillars: digital empowerment of women using technology and artificial intelligence tools in digital marketing and e-commerce to create high-quality marketing content for their handcrafted and heritage products; raising their legal and financial awareness, particularly in the areas of financial inclusion; networking and market access; providing opportunities to engage with the digital world through various business sectors; and offering better marketing opportunities for their projects in local and international markets. The initiative also aims to cultivate a cadre of knowledge leaders qualified to transfer and exchange their acquired training expertise with their peers, and to extend its services to a larger number of artisans to ensure the sustainability of technological knowledge, thereby improving women's living standards by increasing their profitability and developing their businesses.

Istanbul, Turkey - September 16-17, 2025