Egypt, DR Congo urge preserving Nile Basin institutional frameworks, promoting consensus

CAIRO – 10 June 2026: Egypt and DR Congo underscored the importance of preserving the institutional frameworks that bring together Nile Basin countries and promoting inclusivity and consensus among all member states during talks in Cairo.

The remarks came during a meeting on Wednesday between Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam and DRC Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development, and Climate Economy Marie Nyange Ndambo, held on the sidelines of the Congolese president’s visit to Egypt.

Sewilam described the DRC as an important partner for Egypt within the framework of African cooperation and joint action among Nile Basin countries, according to a statement by the Egyptian ministry.

He said preserving Nile Basin institutional frameworks and promoting inclusivity and consensus are essential to achieving sustainable development, strengthening stability, and fostering trust and regional cooperation.

The Congolese minister, for her part, reaffirmed DRC’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Egypt and building on the achievements of recent years to advance sustainable development and serve the two countries’ shared interests.

The two ministers reviewed ways to enhance cooperation under their existing bilateral protocol, particularly through the establishment of a rainfall forecasting and climate change center in the DRC.

This center represents a successful model of technical cooperation in forecasting, early warning systems, and reducing the risks associated with extreme weather events, the statement added.

Sewilam also reviewed the outcomes of ongoing cooperation in capacity building, noting that several training programs have been implemented for Congolese professionals to support national capacities and sustainable development efforts.

The ministers discussed progress on a project to establish solar-powered groundwater drinking water stations in Kinshasa.

Eleven of the project's 12 planned stations have been completed and are operational, while work is underway on the final station ahead of the project's anticipated inauguration, the statement added.

The meeting also reviewed a project aimed at introducing modern irrigation systems at a model farm in the DRC to transfer Egyptian expertise, improve water-use efficiency, and support agricultural development.

The two sides explored prospects for future cooperation and expanding priority development projects.

Sewilam reaffirmed Egypt’s readiness to support the DRC’s priority development initiatives in a manner that strengthens bilateral partnership and contributes to sustainable development efforts across Africa.