Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance, said that strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation and expanding blended finance mechanisms can help reduce investment risks across Africa.
Speaking during the African Consultative Group meeting, held on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, Kouchouk emphasised the importance of combining concessional domestic resources with private capital to address rising energy and food costs.
He explained that exceptional regional challenges have intensified trade-offs between development spending, climate investment and social protection, amid mounting debt burdens driven by increased financing needs in African economies and higher borrowing costs under continued geopolitical pressures.
Kouchouk added that the Egyptian government is advancing fiscal consolidation efforts to support the business community and sustain economic activity. He noted that tax facilitation measures have delivered strong revenue performance by encouraging voluntary compliance, with a focus on broadening the tax base through rebuilding trust with the private sector.
He also called for a stronger role by the International Monetary Fund in supporting African economies through more flexible programmes, alongside enhanced policy advice and capacity-building support.
The minister highlighted that Egypt’s successful issuance of Eurobonds and green bonds, as well as its access to Asian markets and sukuk offerings, underscores the importance of diversifying financing instruments.
