Egypt moves to unlock long-term infrastructure financing through new partnership with AfDB

CAIRO – 20 April 2026: Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, met with Oliver Bognon, Chief Executive Officer of the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF), an affiliate of the African Development Bank (AfDB), to discuss ways to strengthen institutional cooperation and accelerate economic development, in line with Egypt’s strategic partnership with the Bank.

During the meeting, both sides examined a proposal to establish a dedicated financing mechanism that combines local and international funding sources, with the participation of development banks and financial institutions. The proposed mechanism is designed to provide investment guarantees that unlock long-term financing for infrastructure projects, while benefiting from global expertise in structuring sustainable funding models.

The discussions come as part of the Ministry of Planning’s broader efforts to enhance private sector participation as a key driver of economic growth, with representatives from the African facility, the Central Bank of Egypt, and senior ministry officials in attendance.

Talks also focused on several strategic priorities, including expanding Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, introducing innovative financing tools to reduce pressure on the state budget, and strengthening cooperation in renewable energy and infrastructure development.

Rostom highlighted Egypt’s ability to navigate successive global challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic to ongoing geopolitical tensions, noting that the Egyptian economy has shown strong resilience and flexibility. He attributed this performance to proactive and balanced reform policies aimed at safeguarding macroeconomic stability, diversifying revenue streams, and encouraging private sector engagement to create sustainable employment opportunities.

He further emphasized that the government remains focused on projects that directly improve citizens’ quality of life, alongside scaling up renewable energy investments to strengthen energy security.

In this context, Rostom referenced the presidential Decent Life initiative, which aims to upgrade essential services and infrastructure for millions of citizens in rural areas, while investing in human capital and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to reduce poverty and achieve inclusive, balanced development.

Representatives of the African Legal Support Facility outlined their role in providing legal and technical advisory services to African countries, praising Egypt’s strong economic relations with the Bank. They also reaffirmed the African Development Bank’s commitment to supporting economic growth across the continent through infrastructure financing, private sector development, and the transition toward a green economy to address climate change.

At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to maintain close coordination and hold further technical discussions to refine the proposed financing mechanisms and translate them into practical programs that support development priorities in Egypt and across Africa.