• $15 mln program to upgrade digital education in 54 public colleges across Egypt

• Project includes new ICT labs, better Internet, teacher training, and monitoring tools

• Initiative aims to prepare youth for future jobs as unemployment stands at 18.9%

On September 8, South Korea’s ambassador to Egypt, Kim Yonghyon, announced a $15 million five-year project to strengthen digital education, following talks with Egyptian Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Abdel-Latif.

The program will cover 54 public colleges across Egypt’s 27 governorates. It will start in 2026 after a one-year preparatory phase to identify specific technical and pedagogical needs.

According to UNESCO, fewer than 30% of Egypt’s public schools currently have adequate ICT infrastructure, limiting students’ access to essential digital skills. The project will modernize computer labs, expand Internet connectivity, introduce new digital curricula, improve teacher training, and set up monitoring systems to track student progress and teaching quality.

The effort comes amid urgent labor market challenges. The World Bank reports that youth unemployment in Egypt reached 18.9% in 2024. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2023 report found that six in ten workers worldwide will need training by 2027, while only half of employees currently receive adequate opportunities. For young Egyptians, the Korean-funded program offers a tangible chance to prepare for future jobs.

The initiative also aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which highlights digital education as a strategic lever to drive innovation and meet labor market needs. Its success will depend on expanding infrastructure, ensuring teacher training, and adapting curricula to economic change so that Egypt’s youth can fully benefit from digital transformation.