As technology continues to reshape how businesses operate worldwide, the Middle East has been quick to adapt to the shift. Forbes Middle East, always keeping a close eye on the region’s top-performing figures, has placed a strong spotlight on the tech sector this year as part of its February Issue, released on the 8th. Among those recognized on its 2026 list are four Egyptian technology leaders who are making a powerful impact across the industry.
Ahmed Elzaher – CEO of Egypt’s ITIDA
In the Top Tech Leaders in Government category of Forbes Middle East’s list, Ahmed El Zaher, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), secured the fourth spot. According to a 2025 report, expansion in Egypt’s IT sector has moved well beyond Cairo, with significant growth across Mansoura, Assiut, Luxor, and Alexandria.
ITIDA serves as the executive IT arm of Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), where El Zaher also holds the position of Assistant Minister for Ecosystem Development.
Mohamed Abdallah – CEO of Vodafone Egypt and Vodacom
Mohamed Abdallah, CEO of Vodafone Egypt and Vodacom’s international markets across Tanzania, the DRC, Lesotho, and Mozambique, secured fifth place in Forbes Middle East’s Top Tech Leaders of Global Companies category. In 2025, Vodafone expanded its 5G network to cover more than 3,000 locations nationwide, underscoring the company’s continued investment in fostering connectivity.
The ranking also highlights Vodafone’s exclusive partnership with the Grand Egyptian Museum, where the company delivered a comprehensive Internet of Things (IoT) solution, integrating 19 critical systems into a single operations center.
Tamer El Mahdi – Managing Director & CEO of Telecom Egypt
Tamer El Mahdi, Managing Director and CEO of Telecom Egypt, secured the 13th spot in the Top Tech CEOs Category. Under his leadership, Telecom signed three MoUs to grow WE Health Cloud, a platform designed to enhance patient experience by integrating artificial intelligence into clinical decision-making.
In 2025, Telecom Egypt also announced the completion of the core 2Africa infrastructure in partnership with Meta. The world’s longest subsea cable system spans three continents and 33 countries, connecting over 3 billion people as part of the 2Africa consortium.
Ahmed Khalil – Group CEO of Raya Holding for Financial Investments
Ahmed Khalil, Group CEO of Raya Holdings for Financial Investments, also earned a spot in the Top Tech CEOs category, ranking 22nd. The company operates across fintech, BPO, retail, EV mobility, manufacturing, and hospitality. In the first nine months of 2025, Raya Holdings reported a 41% gross profit increase, reaching $950 million, with total assets of $1.05 billion.
In 2025, Raya CX partnered with London-based RSVP, a UK firm specializing in customer engagement and communication solutions, signing an MoU to expand offshore CX services. Meanwhile, Raya Auto launched the Electra EV Charging Network in collaboration with Sungrow MENA and Central Asia, aiming to accelerate the growth of Egypt’s electric-mobility ecosystem.
These four Egyptian leaders exemplify the country’s rising influence in the global tech landscape; their recognition on Forbes Middle East’s list underscores the nation’s growing efforts in innovation, leadership, and transformative technology.
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