Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, on October 10, 2026, marking the beginning of his third Asian tour, following visits to South Korea and Malaysia. He was welcomed at the Halim military base by Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, Director of Protocol Saud Purwanto, and Egyptian Ambassador to Indonesia Yasser Al-Chimy. This visit aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries, which have shared strategic interests in various regional and international issues.
The relationship between Egypt and Indonesia has gained momentum in recent years, with both nations seeking to boost economic and cultural ties. The two countries have converging views on several regional and international issues, including the Palestinian question. Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country, also places great importance on sending students to Egypt's Al-Azhar University, which enjoys deep respect and esteem among the Indonesian people.
According to Egypt's official statistics bureau, CAPMAS, trade exchanges between Egypt and Indonesia reached approximately $1.6 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up from $1.4 billion during the same period in 2025. Both countries are members of several international organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement, the G15, and the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation.
The two leaders, President Al-Sissi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, have previously met on several occasions. In September 2026, they met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, where they discussed bilateral relations and their respective positions on the conflict against Iran. Their relations were elevated to a strategic partnership in April 2025, during Prabowo Subianto's visit to Cairo.
President Al-Sissi's visit to Indonesia is part of his broader Asian tour, which aims to strengthen Egypt's ties with key regional players. The Egyptian president has already visited South Korea and Malaysia, and his visit to Indonesia is expected to further solidify Egypt's strategic relationships in the region. The two countries have a strong foundation for cooperation, with a shared commitment to promoting peace, stability, and economic development.
Indonesia and Egypt have a long history of cooperation in various fields, including education, culture, and politics. The Indonesian government places great importance on education, and many Indonesian students have studied at Egyptian universities, including Al-Azhar. The two countries have also collaborated on various international issues, including counter-terrorism and conflict resolution.
The strategic partnership between Egypt and Indonesia is expected to yield significant benefits for both countries. The visit is expected to pave the way for increased trade, investment, and cultural exchange between the two nations. Key areas of cooperation are likely to include infrastructure development, energy, and agriculture, as well as defense and security.
Key points
- Strengthening economic ties between Egypt and Indonesia
- Enhancing cultural cooperation and education exchanges
- Solidifying strategic partnership between the two nations
