Egypt accounted for 23% of total intra-regional exports within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in 2025, Deputy Foreign Minister for African Affairs Mohamed Abu Bakr said, highlighting Cairo’s commitment to expanding regional trade and advancing economic integration across the continent.
Abu Bakr made the remarks during the 25th COMESA Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, on October 22, as leaders from member states discussed ways to deepen economic cooperation and strengthen trade ties across the regional bloc.
Held under the theme “One Market, One Future,” the summit focused on advancing regional integration and unlocking opportunities to expand trade among member states.
The meeting also marked the transfer of COMESA’s chairmanship from Kenya to Zimbabwe, with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa opening the summit.
According to Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abu Bakr reiterated Cairo’s support for COMESA and efforts to establish a more integrated African market. He also affirmed the importance of strengthening coordination among COMESA, the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) under the tripartite free trade arrangement, alongside the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He called for closer cooperation among African countries to address mounting geopolitical and economic challenges, particularly those affecting maritime security, trade routes, market stability and supply chains.
Egypt Reaffirms Positions on Sudan and Somalia
During the 21st Meeting of COMESA Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Abu Bakr reiterated Egypt’s support for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, as well as the preservation of its national institutions. He also underscored the importance of regional and international efforts to resolve the conflict, including the Quad and Quintet mechanisms.
On Somalia, the Egyptian official reaffirmed Cairo’s support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, highlighting Egypt’s participation in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The discussions also addressed the implications of shifting geopolitical dynamics for Africa’s energy security and economic prospects, underscoring the need for stronger continental coordination to respond to shared challenges.
Abu Bakr highlighted Egypt’s efforts to promote African economic cooperation through initiatives and platforms, including the Alamein Africa Business Forum, which aims to strengthen commercial ties and encourage investment across the continent.
