Industry leaders, academia, policymakers, and innovators unite to accelerate digital transformation across key sectors.
Under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Kamal Shehadi, Minister for the Displaced and Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Lebanon marked a major milestone with the official launch of the ICT Knowledge & Innovation Community (ICT KIC) on June 24, 2025, at the Mövenpick Hotel, Beirut.
Themed “Lebanon’s Digital Leap: Transforming Industries,” the event was organized in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and supported by the EU-funded Lebanon Innovate program. It brought together leaders from government, academia, and the private sector to explore how collaboration and innovation can digitally modernize Lebanon’s economy—starting with manufacturing.
“This is not just a launch — it’s a signal that Lebanon is ready to leap forward digitally,” said Carla Saba, Deputy General Manager at Berytech, in her opening remarks.
The Engine Behind Lebanon’s Digital Future
The ICT Knowledge & Innovation Community (ICT KIC) is a national platform that brings together universities, companies, public institutions, and research centers to strengthen collaboration, promote technology transfer, and accelerate innovation. Established under the EU-funded Lebanon Innovate program and led by IRALEB and Berytech, the ICT KIC aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry—driving economic growth, advancing applied research, and positioning Lebanon as a regional hub for digital innovation.
“We’re creating a community that bridges academia and industry, turning research into scalable, practical innovation,” said Ralph Sioufi, CEO of Itiology and focal point for the ICT KIC, who introduced the community’s core mission, sectoral focus, and Roadmap to 2025.
As part of its 2025 roadmap, the ICT Knowledge and Innovation Community (ICT KIC) is focusing on three strategic pillars: identifying funding opportunities for researchers and industries, building ICT talent through tailored training for professionals, graduates, and professors, and exploring global tech trends—such as AI, cloud computing, and facial recognition—to deliver localized insights. These efforts aim to boost R&D and innovation output, strengthen Lebanon’s talent pool in emerging technologies, reduce brain drain by creating job opportunities, and engage the diaspora in driving local capacity-building.
Real Tech, Real Impact
The event showcased real-world applications already making a difference in Lebanese industries:
- Mario Akl, General Manager at MaliaTec, demonstrated how industrial IoT is transforming factories into connected ecosystems. His deployment of smart sensors illustrated the power of real-time visibility and predictive maintenance.
- Cynthia Abou Khater, Strategy Manager at Technica, presented her vision for integrating hardware and software roboticization into production lines. She highlighted how automation can enhance efficiency while protecting skilled jobs.
- Mouchir Housseini, Levant Regional Director at THALES Group, emphasized the role of AI in optimizing industrial operations and securing infrastructure. He also spotlighted THALES Lebanon’s Center of Excellence and its collaboration with local universities to recruit and develop top Lebanese talent.
A video presentation by Walid Karam, Director of HTP Academy, showcased how Lebanon’s youth and academia are entering the digital economy with creativity, energy, and entrepreneurial drive.
“True transformation begins with smooth infrastructure,” said Maroun Chammas, Chairman and CEO of Berytech. “KIC is not just about launching a new community—it’s about launching a new digital chapter for Lebanon.”
A National Vision for Innovation
In his keynote address, H.E. Dr. Kamal Shehadi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enabling innovation:
“We live in the age of networks, and technology is only part of that. What we heard today is the institutionalization of that network by linking people together — that’s exactly what we’re looking for.”
He emphasized the Ministry’s alignment with the ICT KIC’s vision, outlining key national priorities: legislation, cybersecurity, and intellectual property rights. He also revealed that a comprehensive digital infrastructure strategy is already in place and awaiting approval from the Council of Ministers.
Dr. Shehadi called for broader collaboration—not only among government and private stakeholders, but also with Lebanon’s diaspora and international tech leaders. He emphasized that Lebanese talent is the country’s most valuable asset and must be nurtured through opportunity and support:
“The pipeline of innovation must be further strengthened — it is the heart of our digital vision.”
Engaging Dialogue and Cross-Sector Collaboration
A panel discussion titled “Paving the Way Toward Digitalization: Challenges and Opportunities in Lebanon’s Manufacturing Sector” was moderated by Zakie Karam, Co-founder and General Manager at Don Telecom. Panelists included Mario Akl, Cynthia Abou Khater, and Mouchir Housseini, who built on their presentations to discuss practical strategies and systemic barriers. The conversation underscored the need for clear policy frameworks, R&D incentives, and sustained public-private dialogue to support digital adoption.
About the ICT KIC
A Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) is a structured platform that connects key players in the innovation ecosystem—including academia, industry, government, and research institutions—to turn knowledge into impact.
The ICT KIC, launched under the EU-funded Lebanon Innovate program and led by IRALEB and Berytech, plays this role for Lebanon’s digital transformation. Its mission is to digitally modernize priority sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare by enabling technology transfer, fostering applied research, supporting startups, and driving workforce upskilling.
If you have expertise, resources, or training programs to offer, we warmly invite you to join us in empowering Lebanon’s ICT ecosystem. Together, we can provide capacity-building courses, mentorship, and share valuable insights to boost innovation, strengthen talent, and create meaningful impact.
Reach out to us to on ayla.ghaziri@berytech.org 📍 and to learn more about the ICT KIC or to become a member, visit:
https://berytech.org/programs/lebanon-innovate/knowledge-innovation-communities/
This press release was compiled based on a detailed report by: Dr. Elie Nasr, ICT KIC Member and Chairperson of Computer Science, and Information & Communications Technology Departments at the American University of Science and Technology.
