FM: Coopertaion with African countries a priority on Egypt’s foreign agenda

CAIRO – 23 January 2026: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates’ Affairs Badr Abdelatty underscored the importance of intensifying efforts to strengthen Egypt’s presence across the African continent, reaffirming that Africa remains a central pillar of Egypt’s foreign policy.

Speaking during a meeting with leaders and members of the African sector at the Ministry, Abdelatty highlighted the special importance Egypt attaches to the African sphere, citing it as a cornerstone of the country’s foreign agenda. He stressed the deep historical ties and shared interests linking Egypt with African nations, as well as Cairo’s commitment to advancing relations based on partnership, integration, and mutual benefit.

The foreign minister emphasized the need to step up engagement in key regions, including the Horn of Africa, the Nile Basin, and the Sahel, while safeguarding Egypt’s water security and ensuring the safety of maritime navigation in the Red Sea.

Abdelatty also highlighted the importance of enhancing economic cooperation with African countries by boosting trade and investment, implementing logistical and development corridor projects, and expanding new and renewable energy initiatives. These efforts, he noted, would contribute to supporting intra-African trade.

He further stressed the need to expand strategic partnerships and activate joint cooperation committees with African states, building on high-level visits and overseas tours accompanied by business leaders and private sector representatives. Such efforts, he said, would create opportunities for implementing concrete development projects that serve mutual interests.

The minister also called for broadening the scope of Egypt’s executive and development tools on the continent, particularly through the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development. He pointed to the upcoming inauguration of the Julius Nyerere Dam in Tanzania as a successful model of development cooperation, in addition to the continued implementation of a $100 million financing mechanism for projects in southern Nile Basin countries.

In this context, Abdelatty directed Egyptian embassies across Africa to continue revitalizing cooperation with host countries in various fields, including energy, construction, infrastructure, housing, healthcare, agriculture, and irrigation. He emphasized the importance of intensifying high-level meetings and political consultations to enhance coordination and accelerate cooperation.

The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on strengthening Egypt’s presence on the continent. Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s firm commitment to supporting sister African countries and launching effective partnerships aimed at achieving common interests, promoting peace and security, peacefully resolving disputes, and advancing comprehensive development and regional integration in line with the aspirations of African peoples.