The Shift 2026 by e& Comes to a Close, Spotlighting AI’s Role in Shaping Capital, Governance, and Economic Trans formation

together a select group of policymakers, investors, and technology leaders, The Shift 2026, by e& Egypt in collaboration with The Global Narrative and held under the patronage of Eng. Raafat Hindi, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance, convened to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping economic structures, influencing capital allocation, and redefining the relationship between innovation and governance.
This event’s discussions served as a prelude to the 10th edition of the Narrative PR Summit, offering expert insights into the future of business and governance amid rapid AI-driven transformation.
The conference was attended by H.E. Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance, alongside a distinguished group of senior officials, policymakers, business leaders, and technology experts. They participated in sessions that explored the future of investment, enhancing market readiness for rapid digital transformation, and the role of artificial intelligence in supporting economic growth and creating more competitive business models.
H.E. the Minister of Finance, Ahmed Kouchouk, stated during his speech at The Shift 2026 that the private sector represents the cornerstone of economic and productive activity, playing a fundamental role in enhancing competitiveness. He also emphasized the importance of supporting partnerships with the private sector, given its highly distinguished and exceptional talent across various industries, stressing the need to leverage and support these human resources.
In this context, he highlighted the importance of deploying artificial intelligence across different sectors, noting that the Ministry of Finance has established a dedicated AI unit within the ministry. In conclusion, the Minister announced the launch of a digital platform for tax filings, aimed at simplifying procedures and improving service delivery. He also recommended the provision of simplified training programs for employees across various sectors, enabling them to fully benefit from the potential of modern technologies.
Across the sessions, conversations moved from broad expectations around artificial intelligence to more grounded discussions on its current impact. The panels explored how AI is already influencing investment decisions, operational models, and competitive positioning, while also raising questions about how existing systems can adapt to this shift.
Reflecting on the broader implications of this shift, Hazem Metwally, CEO of e& Egypt, stated: “What the world is witnessing today goes beyond a mere technological boom; we are facing an economic and administrative transformation that is redefining the foundations of competitiveness and the ways value is created at both institutional and national levels. The Shift 2026 conference has underscored that artificial intelligence is no longer solely a technology issue; it has become a key factor influencing investment decisions, the efficiency of resource management, and the ability of economies to achieve sustainable and balanced growth. This highlights the importance of moving beyond theoretical discussions toward building practical models and effective governance frameworks that ensure these technologies are deployed in a way that delivers tangible economic and developmental impact.”
He added that e& Egypt continuously works to integrate technology and innovation across all areas of its operations, whether through telecommunications services, fintech, business solutions, digital services, or customer experience systems, thereby contributing to the development of a fully integrated digital ecosystem capable of supporting individuals and businesses and driving sustainable economic growth.
From this perspective, e& Egypt’s initiative to launch this conference stems from its belief that technology companies are no longer limited to providing services; rather, they have become key partners in leading the dialogue on the future of the digital economy and in supporting market readiness for rapid transformations.”
Speaking to the broader impact of the initiative, Lamia Kamel, Founder and Managing Director of CC Plus, Co-Founder of The Global Narrative, and Founder of Narrative PR Summit, added: “The Shift brought together different perspectives at an important moment, allowing for focused discussions on both the opportunities and the challenges associated with rapid technological change. These conversations help shape a more aligned understanding of what comes next, as we move toward the Narrative PR Summit.”
From an industry perspective, The Shift 2026 conference concluded by emphasizing the importance of accelerating integration between technology, investment, and regulatory policies to support the development of a more resilient and future-ready digital economy, one capable of keeping pace with rapid global transformations, and to further strengthen Egypt’s position as a regional hub for innovation and digital transformation.