Conversation with Ahmed Salem – MasterMinds

Today on MasterMinds, we meet a technology leader whose career sits at the heart of large-scale innovation and enterprise transformation. Ahmed Salem, Chief Operating Officer of Deloitte Innovation Hub in Cairo, is shaping how advanced engineering capabilities are built, scaled, and delivered across some of the most complex digital programs in the EMEA region.

With over 20 years of international experience, Ahmed leads operations at the Deloitte Innovation Hub, driving growth across AI & Data, Cloud, Software Engineering, and Systems Integration. His work focuses on positioning the Hub as a trusted partner for organizations navigating mission-critical, technology-driven transformations—where scale, reliability, and long-term value matter most.

Alongside his regional role, Ahmed also serves as AI & Data Engineering Director at Deloitte UK, working closely with global teams to architect and scale enterprise-grade data platforms. His leadership helps clients accelerate innovation, meet regulatory requirements, and unlock sustainable value from their data investments.

Having led multidisciplinary teams across onshore, nearshore, and offshore models, Ahmed’s journey reflects a mindset rooted in execution, collaboration, and impact. From strategy to implementation, he believes true transformation happens when deep engineering expertise meets disciplined delivery—and when technology is built to perform at scale, not just to impress.

Deloitte Innovation Hub started with a simple belief: if you bring global expertise into a city filled with ambition and talent, innovation naturally takes flight. When we launched in Cairo in September 2023, the mission was to create a place where strategy becomes reality, powered by Egypt’s fast-growing technology ecosystem and a new generation of skilled engineers ready to operate at a global scale.

As we recently marked our second anniversary, that belief has become a tangible story of impact. From Cairo, our teams delivered AI, data, cloud, DevOps, cybersecurity, and platform engineering solutions to hundreds of clients across the EMEA region, helping reshape how industries think and operate.

We set out not just to participate in digital transformation, but to redefine how it’s built, and two years later, Deloitte Innovation Hub stands as proof that Egyptian talent can drive global innovation and set new standards for what a regional tech powerhouse can achieve.

Our core strength is that we don’t deliver technology in silos; we engineer it end-to-end. Deloitte Innovation Hub brings together AI & Data, Cloud, Engineering, Cyber, Systems Integration, and Customer Solutions into one multidisciplinary engine capable of solving complex problems at scale.

With a team of more than 600 specialists, we operate as a regional digital center of excellence serving eight geographies across North & South Europe. In practice, this means building everything from generative AI platforms and LLM engineering to advanced data pipelines, MLOps, and enterprise cloud architectures.

It includes SRE, DevOps, automation testing, full-stack development, ServiceNow, and supply chain modernization, all reinforced by robust cyber defense and digital trust capabilities. We also serve as the Google Cloud AI Experience Center, providing clients with direct access to cutting-edge tools such as Vertex AI, Gemini models, and multimodal agents.

Simply put, our role is to turn complex technology into seamless, scalable, and secure digital outcomes that move businesses forward.

My leadership philosophy is built on consistency, alignment, and connection. Whether teams are onshore, nearshore, or offshore, they operate with the same standards, shared culture, and a unified sense of purpose.

I prioritize clarity of direction, strong engineering fundamentals, and quality-first delivery, while fostering collaboration over fragmentation. When people feel genuinely connected and part of a shared mission, geography becomes irrelevant, teams innovate and deliver seamlessly, no matter where they are.

Both roles complement each other in a very natural way. My work in the UK exposes me to emerging trends, client expectations, and global best practices, but more importantly, it pushes me to stay agile.

Moving between two very different markets forces me to adjust how I think, listen, and lead. That cultural contrast keeps me grounded, curious, and constantly learning from the people and teams around me. At the same time, Deloitte Innovation Hub gives me access to incredible talent and a delivery engine that powers major projects across Deloitte NSE.

The real synergy comes from how these experiences shape each other: shared learning, unified ways of working, and a level of collaboration that feels human and connected. That agility, switching contexts, absorbing insights, and bringing them back into the team, is what ensures both roles continue to lift and inspire one another.

Over more than 20 years of international experience, three core principles have shaped how I lead.

1. First, empower people; teams excel when they are trusted with ownership and encouraged to take initiative.

2. Second, balance speed with discipline; digital transformation demands agility, but never at the expense of quality or governance.

3. And third, focus on building cultures, not just departments. High-performing teams thrive when individuals feel supported, included, and connected to a shared purpose.

Egypt’s youth population is one of the region’s greatest advantages; over 60% are under 30, digitally native, ambitious, and globally connected, bringing unmatched creativity and energy.

With more than 50,000 IT graduates entering the workforce each year, attracting top talent requires the right platforms, opportunities, and engagement with universities, career fairs, and government initiatives. At Deloitte Innovation Hub, we combine this talent pool with a structured, continuous learning model.

Every new joiner experiences our Analyst Induction Program, gaining hands-on training in AI, cloud, and engineering, while global certifications, learning pathways, and mentorship accelerate their growth.

Programs like the Mentorship Program and Bridge internship have trained over 1,600 young professionals, giving them real exposure to international projects and shaping them into world-class engineers ready to deliver global impact.

Egypt’s startup ecosystem is gaining real momentum. We’re seeing a new wave of founders building innovative, data-driven solutions and cloud-native applications, reflecting both technical talent and entrepreneurial ambition.

The ecosystem’s next leap will come from better access to mentorship, enterprise collaboration, and global networks, helping startups scale, refine their solutions, and compete internationally.

With over 500 tech startups already active, Egypt is proving it has the talent, creativity, and drive to become a leading hub for AI and deep technology in the region.

Building enterprise-grade data platforms is challenging because most organizations struggle with fragmented data, outdated legacy systems, and weak governance.

These issues make data unreliable, slow down decision-making, and limit the ability to scale advanced analytics or AI initiatives. The key to overcoming these challenges is a unified, cloud-based architecture with standardized data models, automated pipelines, and clear ownership.

Strong practices in data quality, lineage, and metadata are essential, and when governance and technology work hand-in-hand, organizations can create platforms that are scalable, resilient, and ready to unlock real business value.

AI and data engineering are reshaping how enterprises operate, turning mountains of data into smarter decisions, automated workflows, and better customer experiences.

At Deloitte Innovation Hub, we take generative AI beyond experiments, embedding it into daily workflows so teams can innovate faster, solve real problems, and create tangible business impact.

Looking ahead, the next five years will be defined by purposeful AI investments that drive revenue, close adoption gaps, and manage rising energy demands.

At the same time, building trust, addressing challenges like deepfakes, bias, and ethical use, will be critical. Success comes from combining cutting-edge AI with human insight, turning potential into progress that truly transforms organizations.

For AI, data, or cloud founders, the key is to focus on real business or user impact. Make sure your data is accurate, accessible, and structured; it’s the backbone of any scalable AI solution. Design your product for reliability, security, and growth from day one.

Avoid building for short-term attention or hype. The startups that succeed are the ones that solve meaningful problems, adapt as they scale, and create lasting value over time.

Deloitte Innovation Hub’s presence in Cairo directly supports Egypt’s Vision 2030 by strengthening digital skills, driving innovation, and elevating both public and private sector capabilities.

Operating at global standards from Egypt helps accelerate the region’s adoption of advanced engineering and AI technologies. Our impact spans talent development and ecosystem collaboration.

We train thousands of young professionals through programs like our Mentorship Program and Bridge internship, and we work closely with national initiatives, most recently supporting the ITI’s ServiceNow program, where Deloitte Innovation Hub plays a key role in helping translate skills into real job opportunities.

The collaboration strengthens local digital capabilities and builds a direct pathway from training to employment through practical, industry-ready ServiceNow skills..

At the same time, we deliver next-generation platforms for regional and international clients, reinforcing Egypt’s credibility as a destination for high-value digital work.

We currently support hundreds of clients across the EMEA region, delivering everything from enterprise data platforms to large-scale cloud modernization and cyber resilience programs.

What makes these successes stand out is our ability to combine global best practices with high-quality, scalable delivery from Egypt.

To build technology solutions that meet global standards, startups need three things:

1. First, strong engineering discipline: clean architecture, secure coding, robust pipelines, and well-documented APIs.

2. Second, access to real-world use cases through partnerships that allow them to test, refine, and strengthen their products.

3. Third, exposure to global talent and best practices, learning from markets where standards are already established.

Patience is critical; success comes from iterating carefully, learning continuously, and steadily raising the bar to deliver solutions that are reliable, scalable, and globally competitive.

Egypt can position itself as a regional hub for advanced engineering and AI because it has the right ingredients: skilled talent, scale, and a rapidly growing digital economy.

To realize this potential, the country needs continued investment in skills, stronger collaboration between industry and academia, and wider adoption of cloud and data technologies.

Deloitte Innovation Hub contributes directly to this vision, We have already invested USD 30M and will invest an additional USD 80M over the next three years to further develop local talent, it develops local talent, delivers global-standard solutions, and helps showcase Egypt’s leadership in advanced tech across the region.

Don’t just learn, chase. Be a chaser. Stay on top of new technologies, dive into courses, attend tech events, and explore every opportunity to grow.

Understand the fundamentals, how systems work, how data flows, how architectures scale, because tools will change, but solid engineering foundations last a lifetime.

Be curious, take risks, and experiment. Your ideas, your energy, and your willingness to learn will define the future of AI, data, and cloud.

The engineers who truly make an impact are those who combine technical skill with relentless curiosity, imagination, and the drive to make things happen.