Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, recently hosted the second annual “Freelancers” Forum under the theme “Freelance Work: 9-5 is No Longer the Only Option” at the Creative Egypt Digital Center in Sultan Hussein Kamel Palace. The event brought together a diverse group of independent professionals engaged in the local and global freelancing market through online platforms.
This year’s forum continues the Ministry’s commitment to creating channels for communication with young freelancers, fostering a space for dialogue on enhancing the freelancing sector, and accelerating efforts to empower youth within the digital economy.
Advancing Egypt’s Digital Strategy: Empowering Freelancers
In his speech, Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, highlighted the country’s digital transformation strategy, which focuses on leveraging information and communication technology across various sectors. Dr. Talaat emphasized that the heart of this strategy is to empower citizens with digital skills, enabling them to secure jobs in the digital economy and access essential digital services.
Dr. Talaat explained that all training initiatives provided by the ministry now combine technical skills with freelancing skills, giving participants multiple avenues to enter the job market—whether through traditional employment or freelancing. This approach aligns with Egypt’s broader strategy to develop the freelancing sector, which includes four key pillars: providing training programs, improving internet services, creating equipped workspaces, and offering incentives and support for freelancers.
The Ministry has rolled out a variety of programs aimed at building freelancers’ skills and preparing them to engage in global freelancing platforms. These initiatives are offered through the National Telecom Institute, the Information Technology Institute, WE Schools for Applied Technology, and the “Maharatech” platform, among others. The programs focus on in-demand technical skills, proposal writing, pricing, and negotiation, while also enabling participants to create profiles on freelancing platforms.
Enhancing Infrastructure for Freelancers: Internet and Workspaces
Dr. Talaat further emphasized the importance of improved infrastructure in supporting the freelance economy. The Ministry has invested in enhancing Egypt’s internet services, leading to a significant increase in internet speed—from 5.3 Mbps in December 2017 to 84.5 Mbps in February 2025—positioning Egypt as a leader in Africa for average internet speed.
Additionally, the government has worked on expanding the availability of co-working spaces for freelancers through Digital Egypt Creativity Centers, with 23 centers currently operational across various governorates and a target of 27 by the end of the year. These spaces are equipped to support freelancers as they seek collaborative environments to advance their work.
Tax Incentives and Support for Freelancers
Minister of Finance, Ahmed Kojak, addressed the tax incentives designed to facilitate freelancers’ growth, highlighting a new package of tax exemptions, simplified declarations, and a comprehensive system for entrepreneurship projects with annual revenues of up to 20 million pounds. The tax reforms aim to build a new era of trust and partnership with small taxpayers.
Minister Kojak underscored the government’s commitment to offering comprehensive support to freelancers. He stressed that the tax system now applies to both individuals and companies without requiring physical office spaces, making it easier for freelancers to register and thrive in Egypt’s digital economy. As an added incentive, the Ministry of Finance is considering extra rewards for the first 50,000 to 100,000 new registrations under the simplified tax system.
Celebrating Success Stories and Open Dialogue
The forum also featured a session titled “Success Stories and Challenges in Freelancing: Inspiring Experiences from Egyptian Freelancers”, which spotlighted the journeys of young professionals who succeeded in the global freelancing market. These freelancers, many of whom are graduates of programs by the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), the National Telecom Institute, and the Information Technology Institute, shared their challenges and how they overcame them to deliver projects for international clients, earning foreign currency in the process.
A special open dialogue session allowed attendees to engage directly with Dr. Talaat and Minister Kojak, addressing various topics concerning the freelancing sector, digital capacity building across Egypt, and the new tax incentives. The session also provided insights into government efforts to enhance digital skills in Upper Egypt through the Digital Egypt Creativity Centers and initiatives like the Digital Pioneers program, which aims to equip youth nationwide with the skills needed to succeed in the IT and telecom sectors.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Egypt’s Freelancing Ecosystem
The event underscored the growing importance of the freelancing sector in Egypt’s economy, with increased government efforts to create an ecosystem that supports digital professionals. From improved internet speeds and co-working spaces to a simplified tax regime and tailored training programs, Egypt is well on its way to becoming a leading hub for freelancers in the region.
The second Freelancers Forum marks a milestone in Egypt’s ongoing efforts to foster a digital economy, where independent professionals can thrive both locally and globally. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology continues to prioritize the development of digital capabilities, ensuring that freelancers have access to the tools and support they need to succeed in an ever-changing digital landscape.
