The proposed entity, potentially structured as a holding company, would be established in coordination with several ministries, the banking sector, relevant authorities, and the private sector to streamline Egypt’s external investment efforts in Africa and ensure efficient movement in continental markets, according to a cabinet statement.
The meeting aligns with directives from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to strengthen and expand cooperation frameworks with African partners during the current phase, consolidating historical ties and advancing mutual development interests.
PM Madbouly reviewed several joint projects currently under implementation with African countries and directed officials to encourage and incentivize Egyptian investors to increase their investments in African markets, citing the continent’s promising opportunities and strategic importance for Egypt’s development goals.
FM Abdelatty said Egypt already maintains a strong and influential presence in Africa, but stressed that the coming period requires closer and more integrated coordination among all state bodies to fulfil the president’s vision of expanding cooperation, particularly in the economic sphere.
He underlined the need for collective action by the government, the banking sector, and the private sector to strengthen partnerships across African markets, noting that major international powers and economic blocs have adopted clear strategies to deepen their engagement with the continent.
“Egypt is an African state, proud of its roots and belonging to the continent,” Abdelatty said. “We are an African country, and we take pride in being so.”
The foreign minister also reviewed steps taken by the government and the private sector to enhance cooperation and investment in Africa, stressing the importance of coordinating and integrating these efforts to maximize returns.
He outlined investment opportunities in priority sectors, including agriculture, mining, and industry, as areas with competitive advantages for cooperation.
Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazir presented a detailed briefing on logistical connectivity axes with African countries and measures underway to strengthen continental integration.
He said the ministry has adopted a strategy to empower Egyptian contractors and manufacturers through regional connectivity projects across various transport modes, opening new avenues for Egyptian firms to enter African markets and build strong economic alliances with private-sector participation.
Al-Wazir outlined land connectivity corridors across Africa, noting plans to upgrade and construct a network of strategic roads as part of continental linkage projects to be implemented by national companies through self-financing mechanisms.
He also highlighted maritime connectivity, citing the significant development of Egyptian ports on the Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts.
Egypt is working to strengthen links with East and West African countries through global shipping lines and newly established maritime routes connecting Egyptian and African ports under strategic partnerships, he said.
The minister added that Egypt is upgrading its commercial maritime fleet to enhance its capacity to transport millions of tons of diverse goods annually, including strategic commodities such as grains and petroleum products, as well as passengers between Egypt and countries worldwide, particularly in Africa.
He also pointed to the prospects of river transport, describing navigable river corridors as one of the most cost-effective means of linking African states and underscoring their expected role in boosting trade, especially among Nile Basin countries.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Madbouly tasked officials with swiftly preparing a clear action plan to activate and expand cooperation frameworks with African countries.
Egypt has intensified its engagement with African countries in recent years as part of a strategy to strengthen its continental role politically and economically.
Trade and investment ties have expanded, particularly in construction, energy, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure, though officials say volumes remain below potential despite opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Cairo has also prioritized transport and logistical connectivity, including road, maritime, and river links, to facilitate trade and position itself as a gateway between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
The proposal for a unified national investment entity comes amid efforts to better coordinate government, banking, and private-sector tools to expand Egypt’s footprint in increasingly competitive African markets.
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