What Software Engineering Competence Center does

Software Engineering Competence Center (SECC) is an Egyptian government-affiliated ICT competence center inaugurated in June 2001 under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and merged into the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) in 2005. Headquartered at Smart Village in Giza with 11–50 employees, SECC delivers training, certification, consultancy, and assessment services across software engineering disciplines including CMMI, ITIL, COBIT, DevOps, Agile, Six Sigma, Software Testing, and TOGAF. It is positioned as the sole center of excellence for software engineering in the Middle East and the only organization in Egypt providing CMMI Lead Appraisers and SCAMPI appraisals, having served 1,418 organizations and certified 19,847 professionals across Egypt, KSA, Syria, Kuwait, UAE, China, and Bangladesh.

The core technology portfolio centers on proprietary frameworks—SPIG (a 9-month CMMI-based process improvement model for SMEs), DX4IT (digital transformation reference architecture), Archideal (software architecture service), and SURA (university digital transformation framework across six pillars)—plus the biannual International Journal of Software Engineering (IJSE). SECC holds accreditations with ISTQB, CMMI Institute, The Open Group, APMG, PEOPLECERT, ISACA, and Axelos, and maintains a recurring event ecosystem spanning DevOpsDays Cairo, Software Testing Day, AMECSE/FAMECSE, Tech Nights, and webinars, with 239 cumulative events and over 31,000 attendees.

Revenue mechanics are a mix of professional services (training fees, customized in-house training, consultancy, and CMMI/ISTQB assessments), licensing/accreditation income (CMMI, ISTQB Training Provider, and SPIG accreditations—418 delivered to date), and government program funding (TAMKEEN, MSE support serving ~200 companies/year, IT Clubs training 560+ graduates across 11 governorates). Pricing is highly distributed: group discounts (10% for 3+ trainees), Egyptian Programming Syndicate member discounts (10%), tiered ISTQB exam discounts (EGP 200–400), and a 50% Cairo University student discount. Go-to-market is hybrid—sales-led through direct enterprise engagement and event-driven through conferences, Tech Nights, and webinars—serving offshore IT companies, SMEs, startups, government entities, students, IT professionals, and executives.

Name

Software Engineering Competence Center

Legal name

Software Engineering Competence Center (SECC)

Website

https://secc.org.eg

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SECC is an Egyptian government-affiliated ICT competence center under ITIDA providing training, certification, consultancy, and assessment services in CMMI, ITIL, COBIT, DevOps, Agile, Six Sigma, and TOGAF to enterprises, SMEs, government entities, and IT professionals across the Middle East and select Asian markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

ICT Training and Consultancy Services

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Certification & Licensing Exam Management Platforms (EDAFADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Quality, Process Improvement & Lean/Six Sigma Certifications (EDAAANAC), Compliance Technology, GRC Platforms & Controls Automation Advisory (BPAHAFAO), Project, Program & Portfolio Management Certifications (EDAAANAB)

Keywords

• ICT training services
• Software process improvement
• CMMI appraisal consultancy
• IT certification programs
• Digital transformation consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Gîza

HQ country

Egypt

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Training and Certification Services: SECC offers training courses and certification programs in various technology lines including CMMI, ITIL, COBIT, DevOps, Agile, Six Sigma, TOGAF, and Software Testing. Services include public training courses, customized training for organizations, and exam administration for international certifications like ISTQB.
2. Consultancy and Assessment Services: SECC provides consultancy and assessment services for organizations seeking process improvement, including CMMI appraisals, SCAMPI appraisals, and SPI advisory services. SECC Lead Appraisers conducted appraisal services in Egypt, KSA, Syria, Kuwait, UAE, China and Bangladesh reaching maturity levels 2 and 3.
3. Accreditation Services: SECC provides accreditation services including CMMI accreditations, ISTQB Training Providers accreditations, and SECC SPIG accreditations. The center has conducted 418 accreditation services total.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

SECC delivers training, certification, consultancy, and assessment services to ICT organizations and professionals across multiple technology lines including CMMI, ITIL, COBIT, DevOps, Agile, Six Sigma, TOGAF, and Software Testing. It offers proprietary reference frameworks such as SPIG (a CMMI-based maturity model for SMEs), DX4IT (digital transformation reference architecture for IT companies), Archideal (software architecture service), and SURA (Smart University Reference Architecture). The center also administers international certification exams (ISTQB) and conducts SCAMPI appraisals through CMMI-authorized Lead Appraisers.

Product overview

Software Engineering Competence Center (SECC) is an Egyptian government ICT organization under ITIDA that provides training, certification, and consultancy services rather than a traditional software product company. The core offerings include proprietary products SPIG (a CMMI-based maturity model for SMEs), DX4IT (digital transformation reference architecture), and Archideal (software architecture service for SMEs). SECC delivers training and certification programs across multiple technology lines (Agile, CMMI, COBIT, DevOps, ITIL, Six Sigma, Software Testing, TOGAF) and publishes the International Journal of Software Engineering (IJSE). The organization also operates the Smart University Reference Architecture (SURA) framework and organizes major industry events including DevOpsDays Cairo, Software Testing Day, SECC Tech Nights, and AMECSE/FAMECSE conferences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DX4IT: Digital Transformation for IT companies - a standard capability-based reference architecture for IT companies in Egypt providing common vocabulary, reusable designs and industry best practices.
• SPIG
• SURA
• IJSE

Products and services

• Training and Certification Services Custom-tailored training and certification programs covering Agile, CMMI, COBIT, DevOps, ITIL, Six Sigma, Software Testing, and TOGAF for organizations and individuals, delivered via public courses, in-house sessions, and distributed learning formats.
• Consultancy and Assessment Services Expert consultancy and assessment services for organizations seeking process improvement, including CMMI appraisals, SCAMPI appraisals, SPI advisory, software architecture consultancy, and IT governance assessments.
• SPIG (Software Process Improvement Guide) An adaptable model of excellence in software development and IT service management based on CMMI. SPIG targets SMEs over a 9-month period, qualifies organizations to apply for CMMI services, and includes a handbook, process map, interactive process website, training track, implementation consultancy, and customization service.
• DX4IT (Digital Transformation for IT Companies) A standard capability-based reference architecture for IT companies in Egypt providing a common vocabulary, reusable designs, and industry best practices combining ITIL, COBIT, Agile, DevOps, CMMI, and TOGAF frameworks.
• Archideal (Software Architecture Service) A software architecture service designed by SECC for local SMEs, offering SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture) and MDD (Model-Driven Development) training and consultancy services.
• SURA (Smart University Reference Architecture) A roadmap for digital transformation in universities focusing on six pillars: Smart Learning, Smart Assessment, Smart Classroom, Smart Support, Smart Operations, and Smart Campus.
• IJSE (International Journal of Software Engineering)

Quantifiable outcome

• 1418 organizations served across Egypt and internationally
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers27 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB)coreTechnology or IntegrationSECC is an authorized ISTQB exam center providing CTFL, CTFL-AT, CT-AI, and CT-MAT certifications. The center is part of the global ISTQB Conference Network and organizes Software Testing Day as part of this network. SECC also provides ISTQB Training Provider accreditations.
• CMMI Institute, LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationSECC has Certified CMMI Instructors and Certified CMMI Lead Appraisers authorized by CMMI Institute. The center provides CMMI for Development and CMMI for Services training, consultancy, and SCAMPI appraisals. SECC Lead Appraisers have conducted appraisals reaching maturity levels 2 and 3 in Egypt, KSA, Syria, Kuwait, UAE, China and Bangladesh.
• The Open GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationSECC has Authorized TOGAF Trainers and provides TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Foundation and Practitioner training and consultancy services. The center is part of The Open Group Architecture Forum.
• APMG-InternationalcoreTechnology or IntegrationSECC is accredited by APMG to offer COBIT 2019 Foundation Training, COBIT 2019 Foundation Certification, and consultation services.
• PEOPLECERTcoreTechnology or IntegrationSECC provides ITIL training through PEOPLECERT accredited instructors including ITIL 4 Foundation and ITIL 4 Leader: Digital & IT Strategy courses. Also provides DevOps Foundation and DevOps Leader training under PEOPLECERT accreditation.
• ISACAcoreTechnology or IntegrationSECC offers COBIT training and certification in partnership with ISACA. COBIT is a registered trademark of ISACA.
• AxeloscoreTechnology or IntegrationSECC provides ITIL training courses as an authorized training organization for Axelos global best practice frameworks.
• Open Data Institute (ODI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSECC partners with ODI for open data initiatives and training programs including 'Open Data for Everyone' course.
• University of Bologna (UNIBO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partnership for knowledge exchange and research collaboration in software engineering.
• QAI India Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership for software engineering knowledge sharing and certification.
• Africa Information and Communication Technologies Alliance (AfICTA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSECC participates in AfICTA initiatives to strengthen ICT cooperation across Africa.
• Joburg Center for Software Engineering (JCSE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership for software engineering research and development in Africa.
• Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational cooperation for ICT development projects and knowledge sharing.
• Fundacion Tecnalia Research & Innovation (TECNALIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean research partnership for technology innovation and transfer.
• Technical Research Centre of Finland VTTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research partnership for technology development and innovation.
• Syrian Computer Society (SCS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership for ICT development, with SPI for SMEs program extending to Syria benefitting companies there.
• SURE International TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership for software engineering knowledge exchange.
• ARCOMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership for software engineering and IT services development.
• ITIDAflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSECC merged with ITIDA in 2005 and operates as part of ITIDA. ITIDA is a governmental organization developing IT industry in Egypt. SECC implements ITIDA initiatives including Digital Transformation for IT companies (DX4IT) and organizes events like Software Testing Day under ITIDA leadership.
• Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSECC was inaugurated in June 2001 as part of MCIT efforts to support the IT industry in Egypt. MCIT sponsors SECC initiatives and SECC implements national projects like TAMKEEN, IT Clubs, and MSE support programs.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Joburg Center for Software Engineering (JCSE): South Africa-based government-affiliated software engineering center of excellence. JCSE operates with a near-identical mandate to SECC (industry-academia collaboration, software process improvement, certification support), making it the closest structural analogue in the African ICT ecosystem.
• QAI India Ltd. Global software testing, quality assurance, and process improvement consultancy that delivers ISTQB training, CMMI appraisals, and certification services. Listed as a SECC partner, QAI overlaps directly on testing/quality service lines and target customers.

Regional players

• Aptech Limited: IT training company with established operations in Egypt and across the Middle East/Africa. Aptech delivers career-oriented IT certification programs that overlap with SECC's individual and SMB training segments, though it is a private listed entity rather than government-backed.
• NIIT Limited: Global IT training and talent development company with strong presence in emerging markets. NIIT's corporate IT training and certification offerings compete with SECC for the same pool of Egyptian IT professionals and corporate clients seeking process and technology certifications.

Emerging players

• Simplilearn: Online bootcamp and certification provider offering Agile, DevOps, ITIL, Six Sigma, and cloud credentials. Simplilearn targets the same individual professional learner segment as SECC's training catalogue, particularly cost-sensitive self-paced learners in MEA.
• Coursera: Global online education platform offering accredited certificates from universities and bodies including Google, AWS, and ISACA. Coursera's professional certificate catalog directly overlaps with several SECC training lines and competes for the same Egyptian learner base.

Others

• ISACA: Global professional association and credentialing body for IT governance, risk, and cybersecurity (COBIT, CISA, CISM). ISACA is a SECC partner that sets the underlying standards for COBIT training SECC delivers.
• PEOPLECERT: Global certification body that owns ITIL and DevOps credentials delivered through accredited partners. PEOPLECERT's accreditation scheme is the licensing rail for SECC's ITIL 4 and DevOps training revenue line.
• CMMI Institute: Organization that owns the CMMI framework and authorizes Lead Appraisers and instructors globally. SECC's CMMI appraisal and training revenue is structurally dependent on its CMMI Institute partnership.
• ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board): Global certification body for software testing that authorizes national boards and exam centers. SECC is an authorized ISTQB exam center and Training Provider accreditation body; the ISTQB network sets the rules for SECC's testing certification line.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SECCEgypt
• Facebookfacebook.com/SECC.Egypt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/secc-eg
• Xx.com/SECC_Egypt

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Software Engineering Competence Center