Egypt pushes private sector role to boost Africa logistics links

Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates Minister Badr Abdelatty said the private sector is central to expanding Egypt’s trade and investment ties with African countries, with transport and logistics identified as priority areas for deeper engagement.

Speaking at a meeting with business leaders and executives of Egyptian companies on January 11, Abdelatty said closer integration between economic diplomacy and private sector activity was needed to raise trade volumes and support Egyptian economic presence across Africa.

He said Egyptian companies’ participation in official visits to African countries was helping identify opportunities and advance investment and development projects, including those linked to transport corridors, logistics services and cross-border connectivity.

The minister said the foreign ministry was coordinating with African governments and institutions to improve market access for Egyptian companies, including efforts to address procedural and regulatory barriers that affect logistics operations and trade flows.

Abdelatty highlighted infrastructure, energy, transport and logistics as sectors with scope for cooperation, alongside agriculture, health and pharmaceuticals. He also referred to expanding the presence of Egyptian banks in African markets to support trade financing and logistics-related projects.

He pointed to the role of the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development and project financing mechanisms in southern Nile Basin countries in supporting capacity building and knowledge transfer, which he said contributed to increased investment and economic integration.

The minister said Africa represented a growing consumer market and stressed the importance of transferring Egypt’s experience in development and construction in ways that support trade and logistics networks serving mutual interests.

He also called for encouraging the formation of consortia among companies to improve competitiveness in African markets and urged greater use of the African Continental Free Trade Area to increase exports and deepen integration.

Discussions during the meeting focused on aligning diplomatic initiatives with economic efforts and increasing private sector participation in foreign visits and economic missions to improve access to African markets and support long-term partnerships.