Sally Thafer

Spearheaded Egypt's digital transformation as Minister of IT, promoting tech-driven economic growth

Sally Thafer is Egypt’s pioneering Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunications since 2020, overseeing a national digital revolution. Under her leadership, Egypt’s internet penetration rate surged from 55% to 72% between 2020-2024, with initiatives like Digital Egypt transforming public services. Thafer’s policies prioritized fintech adoption, establishing Africa’s first central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot in 2023. She also championed the Startup Egypt ecosystem, attracting $2.3B in tech investments between 2021-2024. A former executive at Microsoft and Oracle, Thafer bridges Silicon Valley innovation with Middle Eastern governance. Her controversial 'Digital ID System' has faced privacy debates but streamlined healthcare and education access for 30M citizens. Thafer’s influence extends globally, advising UNCTAD on digital economies. Critics argue rural Egypt remains underserved, but her vision aligns with Egypt’s 2030 Vision for tech-driven GDP growth. Publications like MIT Technology Review誉为“中东的数字架构师”.