African Leaders Gather In Egypt To Push Trade And Economic Integration

African presidents, government officials, investors and business leaders have gathered in Egypt for the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum, focused on increasing intra-African trade, investment and economic integration. Discussions are centred on infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, digital transformation, critical minerals and regional value chains. Leaders and business figures have called for stronger institutions, harmonised regulations and properly financed projects to turn Africa's economic ambitions into practical results.

African heads of state, government officials, business leaders and investors have gathered in Egypt for the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum, with discussions focused on expanding trade, attracting investment and strengthening economic integration across the continent.
The three-day forum, which opened on Saturday in New Alamein, a coastal city on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, is being held alongside high-level African Union meetings and runs from October 2 to 4.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi opened the forum, which brings together African and international policymakers, investors, financial institutions and business leaders to discuss ways of turning the continent’s economic potential into practical investment and development projects.
The meeting comes as African countries continue efforts to increase trade among themselves and reduce the continent’s dependence on external markets through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

AFRICAN LEADERS ATTEND ALAMEIN FORUM

Several African leaders travelled to Egypt for the gathering, reflecting the growing importance being attached to closer economic cooperation across the continent.
Those attending included Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, Angola’s President João Lourenço, Ghana’s President John Mahama and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Libya’s Presidential Council Chairperson Mohamed Al Menfi, Tanzania’s Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi and Uganda’s Vice-President Jessica Alupo also participated.
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf was among the senior continental officials at the meeting.
The presence of political leaders alongside investors and business executives reflects the forum’s emphasis on connecting government policies with private-sector investment.

SISi CALLS FOR MORE PRACTICAL TRADE COOPERATION

President Sisi called for stronger connections between African businesses and improved access to information about markets across the continent.
He urged countries to adopt practical measures that can increase trade between African nations, rather than relying only on broad commitments to economic integration.
Sisi also stressed the importance of political stability and strong institutions, saying they are essential foundations for attracting investment and supporting sustainable economic development.
For businesses seeking to expand across borders, issues such as regulatory uncertainty, inadequate infrastructure, limited market information and complicated border procedures can increase costs and discourage investment.
The forum is therefore examining ways to remove some of these obstacles and make it easier for African companies to operate across multiple countries.

AU URGES COUNTRIES TO TURN PLANS INTO PROJECTS

African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf called on governments to move beyond development ambitions and ensure that proposed projects are properly prepared, financed and implemented.
Many African countries have identified major infrastructure, energy and industrial projects as priorities, but financing and implementation remain significant challenges.
Youssouf's message was therefore focused on ensuring that investment proposals become viable projects capable of attracting funding and producing measurable economic benefits.
Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who also chairs the African Union, similarly called for stronger cooperation between governments, investors and businesses.
He stressed the need to develop projects that are sufficiently prepared to attract financing, commonly referred to as bankable projects.

AFRICAN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS URGED TO SUPPORT TRADE

Afreximbank President George Elombi highlighted the role of African financial institutions in supporting trade and helping countries withstand economic shocks.
Access to affordable financing remains one of the major challenges facing businesses and governments seeking to expand production and infrastructure.
African financial institutions can help provide funding for trade, infrastructure and industrial projects while supporting companies that want to enter new African markets.
The discussions at the forum are therefore expected to explore how financial institutions can work more closely with governments and private businesses to mobilise the capital required for major continental projects.

DANGOTE CALLS FOR HARMONISED BUSINESS RULES

Dangote Group Chief Executive Aliko Dangote called for greater harmonisation of regulations, standards, payment systems and border procedures across African countries.
Different rules and standards from one country to another can make it expensive and complicated for companies to trade across borders.
Businesses may also face delays at border crossings, difficulties making cross-border payments and additional costs when products have to comply with different national standards.
Dangote argued that reducing these barriers would lower business costs and help African companies expand production.
Greater regulatory coordination could also support industrialisation by making it easier for manufacturers to build regional supply chains and sell products in multiple African markets.

AGENDA COVERS INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY

The Alamein Africa Forum has a broad economic agenda covering several sectors considered important to Africa's future development.
Discussions include infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, digital transformation, critical minerals and regional value chains.
Infrastructure remains a major priority because inadequate roads, railways, ports and electricity networks can increase the cost of moving goods and operating businesses.
Energy is another major focus, with reliable and affordable electricity considered essential for manufacturing and industrial development.
The forum is also examining opportunities in digital technology and critical minerals, areas that could play a growing role in Africa's economic development and participation in global supply chains.

A PUSH TO MAKE AFRICAN TRADE MORE EFFECTIVE

The forum comes as African governments continue implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to create a more integrated continental market.
Greater intra-African trade could allow businesses to reach larger markets without relying as heavily on markets outside the continent.
However, achieving that goal requires more than removing tariffs. Businesses also need reliable infrastructure, efficient customs systems, compatible regulations, accessible financing and dependable payment systems.
The issues raised at the Alamein forum reflect many of those practical challenges.
Organisers hope the meeting will help move priority projects closer to financing and strengthen partnerships between governments, businesses and financial institutions.

FOCUS SHIFTS FROM PROMISES TO IMPLEMENTATION

The central challenge facing African economic integration is increasingly about implementation.
African countries have significant natural resources, a large and growing population and substantial opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture, technology and services.
Turning those opportunities into sustained economic growth, however, requires investment and cooperation across national borders.
The Alamein Africa Forum is seeking to bring governments, investors and businesses together around projects that can attract financing and create stronger regional economic connections.
If the discussions lead to practical agreements and properly financed projects, organisers expect the forum to contribute to efforts to deepen trade, strengthen industrialisation and improve economic cooperation across Africa.