Egypt and South Africa launched a joint business council at the Alamein Africa Forum on Friday, inaugurated by the Egyptian foreign minister to boost bilateral trade, target BRICS synergies, and enhance logistics integration.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty participated in the launch during an event focused on investment in Africa’s automotive sector, organized by the Egyptian Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade in collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and South Africa.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Nader Zaki stated that Abdelatty highlighted the council’s launch comes amid growing momentum and intense political communication between the two nations. The minister emphasized the necessity of translating this diplomatic momentum into broader economic and investment cooperation.
Abdelatty identified key target sectors for the council, including mining and mineral wealth, industry, renewable energy, agriculture and food industries, pharmaceuticals, and transport and infrastructure. He called for leveraging both countries’ BRICS memberships and South Africa’s accession to Afreximbank to enhance financing opportunities and support joint private-sector projects.
The minister also stressed the importance of developing transport and logistics to connect the northern and southern regions of the continent. He proposed establishing mutual logistics zones, developing regular shipping lines, and utilizing the Suez Canal and national ports to support intra-African trade and investment.
Abdelatty expressed hope that the business council would serve as an active platform to transform available opportunities into tangible investments that strengthen bilateral economic ties and support broader African economic integration.
