The meetings was held two weeks after Malawi signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Egyptian El-Sewedy Group to establish a solar power plant with a capacity of 50 megawatts.

Matola said the MoU represents "an important" step toward developing electricity generation in his country and thus contributing to achieving the Malawian development goals, according to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Malawi's first ten-year plan of its Strategy 2063 is focused on promoting energy production, the minister added.

He also expressed his gratitude for the efforts made by Egypt – through the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development (EAPD) – in building the capacities of Malawian cadres in a number of specialisations in the energy field.

"Malawi is counting on the Egyptian expertise in developing its energy sector, especially in terms of introducing electricity in the countryside and remote areas," the statement cited Matola as saying.

Egypt has engaged in numerous development projects in a number of African countries.

Established in 2014, the EAPD, aims at putting the country’s comparative advantages and technical expertise into play for the benefit of the global south, and in particular Africa and the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The agency adopts a demand-driven approach by responding to the priority needs of the countries of the south, especially of Africa.

The EAPD is based at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is administered by a secretary-general appointed by the foreign minister.