Egypt is accelerating its digital workforce strategy by expanding its freelance talent ecosystem as part of a broader effort to strengthen its position as a leading global destination for IT offshoring and digital services.
Speaking at the WorkShift Summit 2026, Mahmoud Sofrata, Vice President for Market Development at the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), highlighted the growing importance of freelancing as a key pillar of the country’s digital economy rather than simply an alternative form of employment.
According to the World Bank, Egypt ranks ninth globally for freelancing and is home to an estimated 850,000 digital freelancers. The country also produces approximately 750,000 university graduates annually, including around 50,000 engineers, creating one of the largest technology talent pools across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.
To strengthen Egypt’s competitiveness, ITIDA is expanding digital skills programmes through initiatives such as Egypt FWD and ITIDA Gigs while introducing new incentives to help freelancers compete internationally and contribute more significantly to the country’s growing digital exports.
The strategy aligns with Egypt’s ambition to become a regional hub for IT offshoring and digital services. The sector already contributes more than 6% of the country’s GDP, with the government targeting an increase in digital services offshoring revenues from US$5.2 billion in 2025 to US$6 billion in 2026.
The WorkShift Summit 2026 brought together government leaders and industry stakeholders to explore strategies for expanding digital employment, strengthening the freelance ecosystem and accelerating Egypt’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy.
