Monday, 25 May 2026
Egyptian FM engages African leaders to boost continental cooperation
Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration, Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty, has held a series of high-level meetings with several African counterparts and senior African Union officials this week, underscoring Egypt’s commitment to furthering cooperation and sustainable development across the continent.
The meetings, which took place on the sidelines of the 47th session of the Executive Council of the African Union, included discussions with the foreign ministers of Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania, Djibouti, Somalia, Angola, Burundi, Gabon, and Mauritania. Dr. Abdel Aaty also sat down with the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, the Director-General of the AU Commission, the Chairperson of the African Space Agency, and the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
A spokesperson for Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, noted that these talks focused on strengthening bilateral ties, deepening economic and trade partnerships, and exploring new avenues for Egypt to support major development projects in African countries. Egyptian expertise in energy, construction, healthcare, and infrastructure was highlighted as a valuable resource for shared progress across the continent.
Dr. Abdel Aaty affirmed Egypt's active role in supporting regional integration efforts and sustainable development within Africa. He outlined the vital work of the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, which has empowered thousands of professionals across the continent through training programs and by implementing projects in sectors such as health, education, agriculture, water, and energy.
Reiterating Egypt's unwavering commitment, Dr. Abdel Aaty emphasized the country’s intention—under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Egypt's chairmanship of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee—to strengthen South-South cooperation and boost continental integration, especially under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Minister Abdel Aaty called for greater unity among African nations to address evolving challenges facing the continent and pledged Egypt’s continued support for development, security, and stability in Africa. He reiterated Egypt’s steadfast dedication to the African Union’s 2063 Agenda and the importance of enhancing the capacity of specialized African institutions, such as the African Space Agency, which is headquartered in Cairo with full Egyptian backing.
Furthermore, Dr. Abdel Aaty expressed gratitude for the broad African endorsement of Egypt’s candidate, Dr. Khaled El-Anany, for UNESCO Director-General, praising this as a reflection of African solidarity and the importance of maintaining a unified African voice in international forums.
This series of diplomatic engagements highlights Egypt’s ongoing efforts to build stronger partnerships throughout Africa, working hand-in-hand with fellow nations to realize shared aspirations for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.