Photo: Pedro Costa Gomes / European Union, 2025 / EC – Audiovisual Service / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Egypt and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) have opened talks on expanding investment cooperation that could place more Egyptian private firms in development projects across the continent.
Talks centre on transport and market links
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met BADEA President Abdullah Al-Mosibih on Sunday on the sidelines of the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum in New Alamein, according to Egypt’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nader Zaki.
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The discussion focused on transport, logistics and improving links between African markets, alongside the prospect of greater Egyptian private-sector participation in BADEA-financed projects.
Abdelatty highlighted BADEA’s role in funding African development, particularly infrastructure, agriculture and value chains. He said Egypt was interested in broader trilateral cooperation, practical joint projects, skills development and the transfer of Egyptian expertise.
The two officials also discussed measures intended to help businesses identify opportunities. Egypt’s foreign minister pointed to the Hafez platform, which provides information on tenders and commercial openings for companies seeking work in African markets.
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Forum brings finance and business together
The meeting took place as New Alamein hosted the Alamein Africa Forum from 2 to 4 October. The event was launched as a biennial business gathering intended to connect governments, continental institutions, financiers and private companies around investment projects.
The forum’s organisers say its agenda spans infrastructure, trade, critical minerals, digital innovation and health markets. BADEA is listed among its major partners, while the African Union, AUDA-NEPAD and Afreximbank are also involved.
After their meeting, Abdelatty and Al-Mosibih visited exhibitions featuring African start-ups and entrepreneurs, including projects presented as examples of innovation by young people on the continent.
Why it matters
For African businesses, the significance lies in whether these discussions lead to finance reaching viable cross-border projects rather than remaining at the level of declarations. Better logistics and transport corridors can lower the cost of moving goods between African markets, while investment in agricultural value chains can support more processing and jobs on the continent.
Egypt is also seeking to strengthen its commercial footprint in Africa by pairing its diplomatic activity with private-sector expansion. Its government has recently promoted stronger continental economic integration and direct links between firms, financiers and markets.
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No project values, financing commitments or signed agreements were announced following the Abdelatty–Al-Mosibih meeting. The next test will be whether BADEA-backed opportunities translate into transparent contracts, locally meaningful employment and infrastructure that improves trade connections for African producers and consumers.