Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Saturday called for greater trade and investment among African countries and a stronger private-sector role in continental integration, saying intra-African trade accounted for only about 18% of the continent’s total trade, as Nigeria’s Dangote Group expressed interest in investing in Egypt’s energy, fertiliser, chemicals, and cement sectors.
Al-Sisi made the remarks as he opened the first Alamein-Africa Forum in New Alamein, an Egyptian initiative endorsed by the African Union and scheduled to be held every two years. The forum brings together governments, financial institutions, and African and international businesses.
Al-Sisi said Africa’s private sector contributes more than 70% of the continent’s gross domestic product, while about 85% of its business dealings are with companies outside Africa. More than half of African small and medium-sized enterprises lack sufficient information about opportunities in neighbouring markets, he added.
He said the forum aims to help close that information gap, encourage cross-border partnerships, and support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Al-Sisi also linked economic development to political stability, saying investment requires secure and functioning states. He called for respect for sovereignty and national institutions, as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The forum is being held alongside the African Union’s eighth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting and includes an exhibition for major companies, a start-up area, and meetings between government officials, businesses, and financial institutions.
On the sidelines of the forum, Al-Sisi met Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote, founder and Chairperson of Dangote Group, to discuss potential investment opportunities in energy, fertilisers, chemicals, and cement.
The Presidency said Dangote sought government support for potential investments, while Al-Sisi affirmed the state’s readiness to provide the necessary facilitation.
Al-Sisi also held meetings with the presidents of Burundi, Eritrea, and Somalia, with discussions focusing on Nile water, the Horn of Africa, and Red Sea security.
During talks with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, Al-Sisi described Egypt’s water rights and interests as an existential issue and called for cooperation among Nile Basin countries based on mutual benefit and avoiding harm to other states.
He also warned against unilateral measures and the use of Nile water issues as a means of political leverage. Ndayishimiye expressed understanding of Egypt’s concerns and supported consultation and cooperation among Nile Basin countries.
The two leaders also discussed cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, irrigation, energy, healthcare, and capacity building, as well as greater participation by Egyptian companies in development projects in Burundi.
In a meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Al-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national institutions. The two presidents also discussed security developments in the Horn of Africa, the Gulf of Aden, Bab Al-Mandab, and the Red Sea.
Al-Sisi separately met Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and reaffirmed Egypt’s support for Eritrea’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while discussing economic cooperation and developments in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
In his forum speech, Al-Sisi said young people account for around 65% of Africa’s population and highlighted the continent’s substantial human and natural resources. However, he noted that African economies face pressures from higher fuel and fertiliser prices, as well as disruptions to global supply chains and shipping routes.
