Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid said Egypt and the United Kingdom are working closely to strengthen their strategic partnership and drive investment in the green economy, reflecting deep-rooted historical and economic ties.
Trade between the two countries reached approximately £2.8bn in 2025, including £1.5bn in Egyptian exports and £1.3bn in UK exports. Farid added that the United Kingdom is the second-largest foreign investor in the Egyptian market.
The minister made the remarks during his opening speech at the Climate Finance Accelerator conference, implemented through cooperation between the British Embassy in Cairo and Flat6Labs.
The event was attended by Rachel Kyte, Catherine Carr, as well as investment experts, international partners, and founders of start-ups operating in climate-aligned sectors.
In his address, Farid stressed that climate finance is no longer merely an environmental commitment, but has become a highly competitive economic issue amid rapid global shifts towards a green economy. He noted that this aligns with Egypt’s vision to enhance the competitiveness of its business environment, making it more attractive to climate-related investment and financing.
He added that these efforts are also aimed at preparing Egyptian exports to access a wider range of global markets, particularly in light of emerging carbon border adjustment mechanisms.
On climate finance, the minister emphasised the importance of integrating green investments and climate financing into the government’s annual plan, in a way that maximises the benefits of opportunities linked to the transition to a low-carbon economy.
In a related context, Farid revealed that ongoing consultations are taking place to support the access of Egyptian exports to global markets, especially in light of carbon border measures. He noted that aligning Egyptian industry with these standards is essential to preserving market share and enhancing export capacity.
He added that Egypt’s strategy aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030, stressing that achieving this target requires coordinated efforts among national stakeholders, alongside strengthening human capital capabilities to support Egypt’s position in global carbon markets.
Farid also highlighted the importance of developing regulatory and supervisory frameworks that align with the evolving nature of climate finance. He noted that an effective system must accommodate diverse financial instruments and varying institutional capacities, while applying robust oversight methodologies to ensure that climate commitments translate into tangible economic outcomes benefiting both businesses and citizens.
He praised the outcomes of the Climate Finance Accelerator as a successful model of international cooperation in supporting the green transition by helping transform climate projects into bankable investment opportunities.
The Climate Finance Accelerator is an international initiative funded by the UK government, aimed at supporting developing countries, including Egypt, in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy. It offers an integrated package of technical and financial support, including the development of financial models, capacity building, and alignment with international environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.
