Orange Egypt has announced a strategic partnership with Paragon | ADER to launch the “AI Campus” within the “Smo Boulevard” project in Mostakbal City, New Cairo, in collaboration with global innovation platform Plug and Play.

The project is the first of its kind in Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa.

The memorandum of understanding was signed during a high-level ceremony held at the Grand Egyptian Museum, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Investment, and a group of senior executives and strategic partners.

The “AI Campus” is designed as an integrated platform combining advanced technology, urban development, and global innovation ecosystems.

Spanning 500 feddans, it aims to support startups in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, attract investment, and accelerate Egypt’s digital economy growth.

Under the agreement, Orange Egypt will lead the development of the campus’s digital infrastructure by providing advanced connectivity solutions, including 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), and smart communication technologies, creating a highly efficient and innovation-driven business environment.

As part of the initiative, Orange Egypt and its partners will also launch the “AI 100” program within the campus.

The four-year program aims to support and develop 100 AI-powered startups in Egypt by 2030 through training programs, specialized workshops, investment readiness support, and direct access to global innovation ecosystems.

Eng. Mohamed Shebl, Vice President of the Business Sector at Orange Egypt, said the project represents a strategic milestone in strengthening the company’s role in building an integrated digital innovation ecosystem and empowering startups to compete regionally and globally in line with Egypt Vision 2030.

Eng. Bedeir Rizk, CEO of Paragon | ADER, said the project marks a turning point in integrating innovation with sustainability, adding that the partnership with Orange Egypt and Plug and Play will help build a scalable ecosystem capable of capturing global opportunities.

Karima El Hakim, Regional Director of Plug and Play Egypt, noted that the “AI Campus” and “AI 100” program represent a key platform for positioning Egypt as a regional hub for artificial intelligence by connecting startups with global markets.

Smo Boulevard is one of the most prominent integrated urban development projects in New Cairo, reflecting a model of collaboration between local expertise and regional investment, aligned with Egypt’s vision of building smart and sustainable cities.