Egypt's Irrigation minister reviews digital transformation measures at Egyptian Survey Authority

CAIRO - 28 April 2026: Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam reviewed on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, with senior ministry officials measures to advance digital transformation at the Egyptian Survey Authority (ESA), including steps to facilitate communication between citizens and survey directorates.

During the meeting, officials reviewed the current status of digitizing the Authority’s data. Digital text data for the permanent stations network and geodetic data have been completed, along with a digital geospatial database for the real estate registry system, and digital files for topographic maps and aerial imagery. Scanning of paper maps and documents is currently underway, with progress reaching 30%.

A proposed digital transformation plan was also presented, including the establishment of a data center at the Authority’s headquarters and another at the Kafr El Sheikh Survey Directorate as a first phase, ahead of expanding the model to other directorates nationwide.

Sewilam said digital transformation is a key pillar of the second generation of the Water System 2.0, noting that it aims to position the Survey Authority as the primary national reference for digital spatial data.

This would support national projects and streamline procedures for citizens. He added that digitalization would enhance operational efficiency and service delivery in areas such as map production, land surveying, expropriation projects, and real estate registration, while also promoting transparency and strengthening human capacity within the Authority.

The minister directed the Authority to develop a comprehensive plan for technological development and digital transformation across all sectors, including full digitization of services provided through its directorates and engineering offices to improve service delivery and speed up procedures, particularly those related to citizens and national projects.

He also called for a detailed, actionable roadmap with clear timelines, covering all aspects of digital transformation, including equipment, connectivity infrastructure, and logistical needs such as surveying tools used in fieldwork. The plan should also outline human resource requirements, including staffing levels, job classifications, responsibilities, and training programs.

Sewilam further instructed that the plan define the expected benefits of digitization, including technical, administrative, and economic returns and identify the entities or committees responsible for overseeing implementation, drawing on successful previous efforts in digitizing the real estate registry.