Monday, 25 May 2026
Source: Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates
Egypt and Niger sign agreement on political consultation
Niamey — Egypt and Niger have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation and partnership across multiple sectors during a high-level visit to Niamey today.
Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, met on Wednesday with Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangaré, as part of Dr. Abdel Aaty’s West African tour. Both sides emphasized the longstanding and historic relationship between their nations, expressing satisfaction with current levels of cooperation and a shared ambition to expand their partnership in trade, investment, agriculture, energy, health, education, and capacity building.
Dr. Abdel Aaty’s visit follows up on President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's directive to further elevate bilateral relations. The Egyptian minister led a high-level delegation, including 30 top business leaders and representatives from prominent Egyptian companies and industry groups. This initiative aims to explore new opportunities in Niger’s dynamic market and foster developmental and economic partnerships, reflecting Egypt’s ongoing commitment to support growth and stability in West Africa.
During their talks, the ministers addressed security challenges in the Sahel region, notably terrorism and organized crime. Dr. Abdel Aaty highlighted Egypt’s comprehensive approach to combating terrorism—linking security, development, and promoting inclusive values—and offered to share Egypt’s experiences with Niger and other Sahelian countries.
The discussion also featured Egypt’s educational support for Niger, particularly the influential role of Al-Azhar—one of the world’s leading centers for Islamic learning—in promoting values of moderation and tolerance. Al-Azhar currently offers scholarships to Nigerien students and provides training for religious leaders to counter extremist ideologies. Dr. Abdel Aaty also expressed Egypt’s readiness to welcome more Nigerien students to study at Egyptian universities in various disciplines.
Both sides exchanged views on key regional priorities, emphasizing the need for stronger African cooperation in tackling security and development challenges. They agreed on the importance of continued consultation and coordination in response to regional developments and common interests.
Niger’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Sangaré, expressed sincere appreciation for Egypt’s steadfast support, praising Cairo’s leadership in advancing African issues. He voiced hope for even stronger ties to serve both peoples.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a political consultation mechanism between the two foreign ministries, aiming to deepen institutional cooperation and elevate bilateral relations to new heights.