By Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication ​Development Bureau​
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I recently had the privilege to visit Egypt’s Decent Life initiative, a national project which is delivering long-lasting impact on rural communities and transforming lives through digital transformation.

The initiative is a Partner2Connect pledge by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) to develop the telecom infrastructure of over 4,500 rural villages.

Through a coordinated approach, integrating key public services such as housing, infrastructure and education, the initiative is improving the living conditions and daily life quality of the most vulnerable communities.

I also met Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, H.E. Minister Amr Talaat, and Eng. Hossam El-Gamal, Executive President of Egypt’s National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), as well as telecom operators who are implementing the project, giving me an opportunity to thank them for this incredible and transformative initiative.

I had the pleasure to sign a new project with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) of Egypt to promote the development of Smart Sustainable Cities & Communities telecom infrastructure in Egypt, advancing Digital Transformation and ICTs for Sustainable Development.

How the Decent Life project impacts lives

During my visit, I spoke to teachers who explained how their educational programmes have improved thanks to speedy Internet connections and digital capacity building opportunities.

I was energized by the excitement that radiated from the young people who shared their hopes and dreams for their futures which were previously out of reach but are now achievable thanks to connectivity.

I also spoke to local women who explained how access to technology has given them new employment opportunities, allowing them to financially support their families while simultaneously empowering them within their community.

A trainee explained the benefits of Decent Life, known locally as Haya Karima, saying that they now envisage a brighter future for themselves.
The Decent Life initiative accelerates rural development by strengthening the overall resilience and sustainability in rural communities. It is implemented through four pillars:

1. Building Fiber Infrastructure Network to connect the unconnected and enable a digitally transformed society,
2. Developing Mobile Network Towers Infrastructure for resilient mobile broadband coverage to enable access to Internet data and voice services,
3. Strengthening post offices to enable the digital and financial inclusion,
4. Promoting digital literacy to empower communities through ICT capacity building programs and raising awareness of the benefits of today’s digital economy.

This is a milestone in our journey towards a more equitable future and sustainable digital transformation in Egypt and beyond. It is an incredible example of how BDT works to deliver impact to transform people’s lives.

This is an ITU Development #DigitalImpactUnlocked story

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