StrategizeIT for a Greener Future: Empowering Carbon Reduction Initiatives

Updated 10/29/2024 8:00:00 AM

Arab Finance: In an exclusive interview with Arab Finance, Ahmed Maher, CEO of StrategizeIT Egypt, discusses the company's innovative technology initiatives aimed at enhancing carbon reduction efforts.

Maher highlights the development of a new electronic platform supporting verification bodies in monitoring carbon projects, reflecting a growing commitment to governance and transparency.

He also shares insights into StrategizeIT's success in digital transformation projects, including the automation of the Ministry of Justice's Registry of Bailiffs, which has significantly improved operational efficiency and accuracy.

1- Can you tell us about Stratgezit Egypt and when it was founded?

StrategizeIT Egypt is a leading company in the field of geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing. It is concerned with the environmental field, new and renewable energy, agriculture, and irrigation.

The company has a set of solutions that serve the environmental field, and we have worked in national strategic projects in Egypt and the Middle East.

We have also implemented a project to monitor biodiversity in natural reserves with the Egyptian Ministry of Environment.

This particular project received a global excellence award from Esri International Foundation this year. Over the past few years, we have won many innovation awards in the field of technological development in Africa.

We have also worked with various government agencies on national projects such as the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Irrigation and the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as international organizations such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

2- What are your thoughts on the increasing interest in climate change, especially regarding funding agencies in this type of activity?

With the ever-increasing interest in climate change and the emergence of carbon markets in Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa, technology has played a vital role in supporting this sector.

Egypt is witnessing a significant development in this field with its first organized voluntary carbon market, supervised by the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA).

I believe that new technologies, including digital solutions and remote sensing, help improve the efficiency of project monitoring and achieve sustainability goals. This contributes to enhancing transparency and governance in this growing sector.

3- What are Stratgezit’s recently implemented projects?

Recently, we have launched several digital platforms that offer innovative solutions. One of these is a digital transformation project in cooperation with a government agency responsible for managing a large portion of agricultural lands in Egypt.

The platform we developed helps monitor risks that may threaten crops, such as agricultural pests, through interactive maps that rely on satellite data. This contributes to improving crop quality and reducing risks. In addition to other applications related to crisis and environmental disaster management.

Outside of Egypt, we have a project in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Libya related to the development of the Great Man-Made River, which is considered the longest man-made river known to humanity.

The company is responsible for developing the strategic plan for the digital transformation of this project under the umbrella of the UNDP.

We have also worked in Iraq on a GIS infrastructure project in more than one Iraqi governorate, in order to link more than 21 government departments together, which contributes to improving data management and coordination between these departments.

4- How did you collaborate with the Ministries of Justice and Environment to implement digital technology and digital transformation?

With the Egyptian Ministry of Justice, we automated the work of court bailiff and mechanized the work cycles. For example, when a bailiff delivers a summons to a citizen, the official delivery of the summons to the citizen is verified using GPS. The bailiff's location and the place where the summons is delivered are determined using a tablet carried by the bailiff, which saves time and effort.

As for the Ministry of Environment, we implemented a project to inventory biodiversity, which won an international excellence award. We also presented a project to monitor and protect migratory birds from wind turbines used in generating renewable energy, as Egypt is the second largest global station on the migratory birds' route.

Wind turbines were causing the death of large numbers of migratory birds. We provided an electronic solution to the problem through the "Strategists Sky Eye" application. Our solution helps in monitoring flocks of migratory birds and gives signals to stop the wind turbine or a group of turbines on the path of the flock in time until the bird flock passes safely.

5- How do you see the importance of digital transformation?

Digital transformation is essential for achieving development and effective governance through digitalization. By digitizing processes, we can improve efficiency, reduce the time and effort required, and ensure accuracy of execution.

Digital solutions also enable close and transparent monitoring, which contributes to enhancing governance and improving overall performance.

6- How do you think startups impact the Egyptian economy?

Startups play a key role in fostering innovation and technological development within society. When these companies grow and transform into small and medium-sized (SMEs) enterprises, they contribute significantly to strengthening the economy.

Government support for startups is vital as it helps alleviate the pressures they face, such as employment challenges, and enhances their ability to grow and innovate.

7- How do you see the challenges facing startups?

Startups are essentially carving their way through rock. They face significant challenges, starting with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to economic fluctuations like the devolution of the Egyptian pound twice in a short period.

Despite government support, challenges related to inherited bureaucracy still pose an obstacle that will not be overcome quickly. These factors make startups need more flexibility and innovation to overcome difficulties and grow.

8- Under these circumstances, what do you think about the funding crisis many startups face?

Funding is a lifeline for startups and is very important to them. Startups, in general, seek growth through funding, which helps them develop and innovate.

9- What are StrategizeIT’s main focus areas in the coming period?

In the coming period, we are focusing heavily on the new carbon markets that the state has recently announced. We see great opportunities for growth and contributing to sustainability.

We have a major project called "Hami El Hasad" (Harvest Guard), with plans to launch a digital platform by the end of the year. This platform will assist verification and monitoring authorities in monitoring lands nominated for carbon sequestration projects using satellite technology, enhancing monitoring accuracy and governance.