Egypt is stepping up efforts to localize its electronics industry, targeting the production of around 15 million mobile phones in 2026 as part of a broader push to expand domestic manufacturing capacity, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Raafat Hindi stated on Sunday.

The ambitious target follows rapid growth in local production over the past two years.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a visit to Beni Suef governorate, Minister Hindi said mobile phone output rose from approximately three million units in 2024 to around 10 million in 2025, highlighting the accelerating manufacturing momentum driven by state-backed incentives and rising private sector participation.

The surge reflects Egypt’s ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on imports and build a self-sufficient electronics ecosystem, a key pillar of its broader industrial development strategy.

Authorities have been working to attract foreign investment, expand local value chains, and enhance production capabilities, particularly in high-demand consumer electronics such as mobile phones.

Despite the progress, Hindi acknowledged that Egypt remains at an early stage in developing a fully integrated electronics manufacturing base.

However, he expressed confidence that current indicators point to strong future potential, with the local market well-positioned to evolve into a regional hub for both production and exports.

“Current growth rates show that Egypt is moving in the right direction,” the minister said, adding that scaling up manufacturing capacity and deepening localization will be critical to sustaining this trajectory.

Exporting locally manufactured mobile phones is increasingly within reach, Hindi noted, citing existing success stories in the market. Among them is Samsung Electronics’ facility in Beni Suef, which already produces handsets for the domestic market while exporting part of its output abroad.

Such models, he said, demonstrate Egypt’s ability to integrate into global supply chains and compete in regional markets.

The minister also highlighted the expected economic benefits of expanding local production, particularly in terms of pricing and consumer access. Increasing output volumes and local content are likely to reduce production costs over time, enabling manufacturers to offer more competitively priced devices that better meet domestic demand.

Beyond pricing, the localization drive is expected to generate broader economic spillovers, including job creation, skills development, and the growth of supporting industries such as components manufacturing, logistics, and after-sales services.

Hindi emphasized that the initiative to localize mobile phone manufacturing represents a strategic step toward building a strong, sustainable technology sector in Egypt.

By strengthening domestic capabilities and encouraging export-oriented production, the country aims to position itself as a key player in the regional electronics industry while narrowing its import bill.

As Egypt continues to expand its manufacturing footprint, officials are betting that sustained investment, policy support, and successful industrial models will help transform the country into a competitive hub for electronics production.