Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi has called for the acceleration of economic and commercial integration in Africa, emphasizing the importance of fully implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Speaking at the closing session of the 8th mid-year coordination meeting of the African Union in Al-Alamein, Al-Sissi stressed that continental integration has become a strategic choice and an urgent necessity to overcome the challenges facing Africa.
Al-Sissi highlighted the need to develop infrastructure and establish sustainable financing mechanisms for development projects in cooperation with African financial institutions. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening supply chains and logistics corridors, as well as developing and interconnecting transportation and energy networks across the continent. These efforts aim to promote economic growth, peace, and security in Africa.
The Egyptian President reiterated his country's commitment to working alongside African nations to build a safe, stable, and prosperous Africa. He also praised the contributions of the private sector, citing the Al-Alamein Africa Forum for Business, which took place the previous day with the participation of numerous investors and economic leaders. Al-Sissi emphasized the importance of listening to proposals from economic actors to improve the legislative and incentive environment for investment on the continent.
Al-Sissi called for intensifying conflict prevention efforts and developing early warning mechanisms, while strengthening reconstruction and development initiatives in post-conflict countries. He also emphasized the need to enhance the role of the African Union's Center for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development, based in Cairo, by increasing its budget to boost its effectiveness on the ground.
The African Union's 8th mid-year coordination meeting brought together leaders from regional economic communities, including the President of Burundi and current African Union Chairman, Évariste Ndayishimiye. Al-Sissi expressed his gratitude to Ndayishimiye and the leaders for their participation. The Egyptian President's call for accelerated economic and commercial cooperation in Africa aligns with the African Union's Agenda 2063, which aims to promote economic integration and development across the continent.
According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), trade exchanges between Egypt and African Union countries increased by 11.8% during the first seven months of 2026. Egyptian investors and business leaders, such as Tarek Mosaad, have noted that investors view Africa as a unified entity rather than 54 distinct markets. This perspective is expected to drive growth and investment in Africa.
Key stakeholders, including the African Union, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and the private sector, are expected to play a crucial role in driving economic growth and development in Africa. The implementation of the AfCFTA and the development of infrastructure and financing mechanisms will be essential in achieving these goals.
Key points
- Al-Sissi calls for accelerated implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to promote economic integration and development in Africa.
- The Egyptian President emphasizes the importance of strengthening supply chains, logistics corridors, and transportation networks across the continent.
- Al-Sissi highlights the role of the private sector in driving economic growth and development in Africa.
