Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has inaugurated the first edition of the El Alamein-Africa Business Forum, a new platform aimed at fostering economic dialogue and cooperation across the African continent. The forum, held in the Egyptian city of El Alamein, brings together governments, continental institutions, business communities, and private sector stakeholders. Abdelatty emphasized that the forum represents a significant step towards translating decisions into tangible investments and projects.
The El Alamein-Africa Business Forum was established based on a decision by the African Union (AU) in February 2026, during a summit in Addis Ababa. The decision, numbered 973, stipulates that the forum will be held every two years in El Alamein, in collaboration with the AU Commission, the African Union Development Agency (NEPAD), and the African Export-Import Bank. Abdelatty highlighted the forum's potential to develop African economic tools and enhance the role of the private sector in the continent's integration and development.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister stressed the importance of the private sector in driving growth and job creation in Africa. He noted that the sector plays a crucial role in promoting trade, investment, and the development of value chains, ultimately increasing the competitiveness of African economies. The forum's program combines political vision, institutional expertise, and practical capabilities, allowing for a comprehensive discussion of African economic development.
Abdelatty emphasized that Africa is not just a continent rich in raw materials but also boasts significant human and material capacities that can drive production and development in various fields. These fields include industrialization, digitalization, and the application of artificial intelligence in civil sectors, as well as pharmaceuticals, automotive industries, energy, and infrastructure. He cited the Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania as an example of what Africa can achieve through integration and political will.
The forum aims to bring together stakeholders involved in investment, trade, and development in Africa, including governments, business leaders, and international financial institutions. Abdelatty expressed his hope that the forum will lead to concrete insights, partnerships, and clear priorities that can be tracked and implemented. He also acknowledged the support of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who has been instrumental in making the forum a reality.
Abdelatty extended his gratitude to President El-Sisi for his efforts in transforming El Alamein from a city associated with war remnants into a modern and thriving tourist destination. He also praised the President's vision for creating a continental platform for high-level dialogue between business leaders and policymakers in Africa. The forum has attracted high-level participants, including the President of Burundi and Chair of the African Union, Évariste Ndaiyshimiye.
In his closing remarks, Abdelatty thanked the AU Commission, NEPAD, and the African Export-Import Bank for their partnership in organizing the forum. He expressed his hope that the first edition will mark the beginning of broader partnerships and deeper cooperation, leading to a more integrated African economic path that can translate available potential into tangible results. The next edition of the forum is expected to take place in El Alamein in 2028.
Key points
- The El Alamein-Africa Business Forum was established to foster economic dialogue and cooperation across the African continent.
- The forum aims to bring together governments, business leaders, and international financial institutions to drive growth and development in Africa.
- The Egyptian Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of the private sector in driving growth and job creation in Africa.
