Cairo: H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, convened a significant meeting with ambassadors from seven African countries, including Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Cameroon, Uganda, and Senegal. This gathering took place during the inaugural Egyptian-African Economic Conference, organized by ‘Al-Ahram Hebdo’ newspaper under the theme ‘The Africa We Want: Integration and Partnership for the Future.’
According to African Press Organization, the meeting focused on fostering development across the continent and strengthening the bonds between Egypt and other African nations. The discussions emphasized the importance of joint infrastructure projects, increasing trade exchanges, and establishing effective partnerships between private sectors to address the challenges facing African countries.
Minister Al-Mashat highlighted President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s commitment to enhancing cooperation and integration with African nations to b
uild a shared economic future. She emphasized that joint African action is essential to addressing conflicts and creating a development model based on expertise exchange.
Dr. Al-Mashat stressed the vital role of the Egyptian private sector in infrastructure development across the continent, citing projects like the Cairo-Cape Town initiative. The Minister also discussed maximizing the benefits of Egypt’s experience in international cooperation and development finance, including preparing feasibility studies for various projects.
The meeting also explored innovative mechanisms for strengthening inter-African relations, such as Joint Committees, with the Egyptian-Algerian Joint Committee serving as a recent example. Dr. Al-Mashat noted the continent’s potential to become a renewable energy hub, supported by partnerships with the World Bank to make renewable energy accessible to 300 million people in Africa.
She underscored the importance of the African Development Bank and other international entities in adv
ocating for greater private sector involvement. As Egypt’s Governor at the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted the growing global interest in African cooperation, evidenced by the EBRD’s recent expansion to include Sub-Saharan African countries.
The Ministry launched a South-South and Triangular Cooperation Strategy in 2024, aiming to expand development solutions and build cross-border partnerships. Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized that integration with African nations reflects Egypt’s historical role in advocating for the continent’s interests.
African ambassadors expressed their appreciation for President El-Sisi’s efforts to promote joint African initiatives and address continental challenges. They also praised Dr. Al-Mashat’s role in economic diplomacy and international coordination to amplify Africa’s voice on the global stage.
The ambassadors proposed initiatives to enhance inter-African tourism by linking Egyptian tourism networks with those
in other African countries, promoting eco-tourism and other niche sectors. They also suggested boosting cooperation in education, health, communications, and expertise exchange between government institutions and private sectors across the continent.