Egypt's New Valley Hosts First Hackathon for Young Innovators

Young people in Egypt's remote New Valley region now have a chance to turn their tech ideas into reality and win life-changing prize money while solving problems in their own backyard.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology launched "New Valley Innovates," the region's first hackathon, inviting students aged 9 to 35 to create digital solutions for local challenges. Winners will share 450,000 Egyptian pounds (about $140,000 USD) in prizes, with first place taking home the equivalent of $6,300.

Participants will tackle real issues facing their community, from smart agriculture and water management to renewable energy and heritage tourism. Projects can range from mobile apps that help farmers monitor crops to video games celebrating the region's cultural heritage.

The competition splits into two age groups: school students aged 9 to 18 and university students and graduates aged 18 to 35. Teams will receive training workshops starting March 22 before developing their ideas over five days of intensive collaboration.

Governor Mohamed Al-Zamlout sees the hackathon as a bridge between remote youth and economic opportunity. By giving young people tools to contribute to their local economy, the initiative creates jobs aligned with Egypt's growing digital sector.

Dr. Amr Talaat, Egypt's Communications Minister, emphasized that the event transforms creative thinking into practical technology. The National Telecommunication Institute will provide academic supervision, ensuring participants gain real skills alongside competition experience.

The Ripple Effect

This hackathon represents more than one competition in one region. It signals a shift toward bringing tech opportunity beyond major cities, proving that innovation can flourish anywhere when young people receive support and resources.

The model could inspire similar programs across Egypt and Africa, showing governments how to identify and nurture tech talent early. When a 9-year-old in a remote area can access the same opportunities as university students in Cairo, entire communities gain pathways to prosperity.

By focusing on local challenges, the competition ensures solutions will actually serve the people who need them most. Smart water management systems designed by New Valley residents will understand regional realities better than imported technology ever could.

Egypt is betting that its next generation of digital entrepreneurs might come from unexpected places, and it's putting real money and resources behind that belief.