Detlef Houdeau: Egypt Is a Regional Hub for Our Operations in the Middle East and Africa
Infineon, Global semiconductor leader, has officially announced its entry into the Egyptian market, introducing its latest innovative products and solutions. This move underscores the company’s commitment to driving digital transformation and reducing carbon emissions worldwide while reinforcing Egypt’s position as a regional hub for advanced technologies in this vital sector.
Coinciding with its market entry, Infineon held its first conference in Egypt, titled “Future Secured Electronic Government Documents and Digital Transformation in Egypt,” in collaboration with “Sidhom,” its official partner and distributor for the Middle East and Africa. The event drew significant attendance from key companies, experts, and specialists in fintech, cybersecurity, and major stakeholders from the public and private sectors, alongside representatives from the German Embassy in Cairo. During the conference, Infineon showcased its secure digital identity solutions to support e-government systems, highlighting its global successes in the UK, Austria, Estonia, Turkey, and beyond.
On this occasion, Dr. Detlef Houdeau, Senior Director of Authentication, Identity, and Digital Security Solutions at Infineon, stated: “We are proud to bring our innovative solutions to the Egyptian market and look forward to playing a pivotal role in supporting digital transformation and enhancing technological infrastructure in Egypt. Our excellence in innovation, security, and sustainability ensures our solutions meet the demands of digital transformation and green energy. We are confident we will be a strategic partner for Egypt in its journey toward a more sustainable and secure future.”
Germany-based Infineon holds a prestigious position in semiconductor manufacturing, developing secure chip solutions for identity documents—including national IDs (NeID), electronic passports (ePP), residence permits, e-driver’s licenses (eDL), smart health cards, and and multi-application cards —as well as various banking cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and Meeza. The company also offers cutting-edge solutions in energy, automotive, smart cities, digitalization, and IoT.
Infineon’s expansion into Egypt marks a key part of its strategy to invest in promising markets, introducing advanced products that bolster economic and social development, digital transformation, financial inclusion, and cybersecurity in the region.
Houdeau added: “Egypt is a strategic target for Infineon as a regional hub for our Middle East and Africa operations. We trust in its ability to lead the region, whether in secure e-documents and biometric technologies or banking and credit/debit cards.”
Infineon enjoys a global reputation in cybersecurity, providing advanced security solutions that meet Egypt’s growing market needs amid rapid digital transformation. The company has earned the world’s first certification for quantum computing-resistant chips and products—addressing the most severe cyber threats—covering e-IDs, e-driver’s licenses (eDL), and e-health cards, which offer robust protection against forgery and identity theft.
Houdeau emphasized: “Egypt has all the ingredients to become a leader among advanced digital nations, and it can strengthen its position as a secure and efficient digital destination through Infineon’s solutions for digital identity, biometric passports, e-gates, and smart border control systems. As digital transformation accelerates and tourism grows, Infineon’s technologies serve as a strategic ally to enhance security and efficiency—reducing document verification time at airports and borders to just five seconds while combating fraud and crime.”
Engineer Ashraf Mahmoud, Director of Infineon Operations Development for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “Infineon’s expansion in Egypt is part of a broader vision to strengthen technological collaboration between Germany and the Arab world. As a global leader in semiconductors, we are confident our solutions will drive innovation, empower key sectors like clean energy and IoT, and position Egypt as a digital transformation frontrunner with the highest standards of security and efficiency.”
Mahmoud added: “Infineon’s technologies in Egypt—such as quantum-resistant e-ID cards, biometric-enabled eDLs, and e-health cards safeguarding medical data—will be foundational in building a resilient digital infrastructure ready for the future. This is especially critical with the rise of digital payments, smart and autonomous vehicles, and integrated cybersecurity systems.”
Leveraging Egypt’s strategic geographic location and its leadership’s push for logistical trade growth, Infineon has chosen Egyptian firm “Sidhom” and its affiliates as its official Middle East and Africa partner. Sidhom will manage logistics for supplying Infineon’s products from global factories to local markets, including manufacturers, partners, and developers, while tailoring solutions to regional needs.
Regarding the partnership, Dana Sidhom, Business Development and Strategy Executive at Sidhom, said: “Our collaboration with Infineon is a strategic bridge between global innovation and our 45+ years of local expertise in delivering cutting-edge digital transformation and cybersecurity solutions. We facilitate seamless supply chains, distribution, and technical support, helping businesses transition to Infineon’s semiconductor and cybersecurity innovations.”
As smart and connected vehicles gain traction, cybersecurity has become critical in automotive design. Infineon offers comprehensive solutions protecting modern cars and passengers from cyber threats, supporting nearly all applications—ideal for electric and autonomous vehicles.
Among Infineon’s standout innovations is the e-driver’s license (eDL), replacing traditional paper licenses with smart cards featuring biometric security and integration with rental apps. Its e-health cards also combat healthcare fraud with secure medical data storage.
In environmental sustainability, Infineon achieved a global milestone by launching the world’s first “green chip” for financial and ID cards, reducing carbon emissions by over 65% compared to conventional cards.
With strategic vision and technological focus, Infineon has grown into a global force with ~60,000 employees dedicated to delivering advanced solutions for diverse markets. The company’s financial strength is evident in its record €16+ billion revenue in 2023, solidifying its competitiveness in the fast-evolving semiconductor industry.