Alamein-Africa Business Forum serves as unique platform to advance trade, investment and development: FM Abdelatty – EgyptToday
Alamein-Africa Business Forum serves as unique platform to advance trade, investment and development: FM Abdelatty
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during his speech at the Alamein-Africa Business Forum
CAIRO – 3 October 2026: Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Badr Abdelatty stressed that the Alamein-Africa Business Forum reflects a shared aspiration to advance the mechanisms of African economic cooperation.
Saturday sees the opening session of the forum, hosted in New Alamein City in the presence of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Abdelatty’s remarks came as part of his speech during the inauguration session of the forum, where he welcomed the attendees and partners, and express Egypt’s sincere appreciation for their participation in the forum.
The forum is an event hosted by Egypt as part of a series of continental gatherings taking place this year.
Among the attendees are: President of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the African Union Évariste Ndayishimiye; Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, CEO of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas; Dr. George Elombi, Executive Vice President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
“We meet today to launch a new platform for African economic dialogue, bringing together governments, continental institutions, the business community, the private sector, and financial and development institutions,” FM Badr Abdelatty said in his speech.
He added that this initiative is driven by the firm conviction that economic integration is not built through decisions alone, but rather through partnerships that transform those decisions into tangible investments, projects, and opportunities.
The launch of this forum serves to implement African Union Decision No. 973—adopted during the February 2026 summit in Addis Ababa—which mandates holding this event biennially in the city of Alamein.
Organized in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the forum reflects a shared aspiration to advance the mechanisms of African economic cooperation and to bolster the private sector’s role in the continent’s integration and development journey, he explained.
He continued saying: “Ladies and gentlemen, placing the business community and the private sector at the heart of this forum is no coincidence.”
The private sector is a primary engine for growth and job creation across the continent, he said, adding that the private sector is also an indispensable partner in boosting trade and investment, building value chains, and enhancing the competitiveness of African economies.
Accordingly, the forum’s program is designed to integrate political vision, institutional expertise, and the practical capabilities of the business community.
FM Abdelatty went on saying that this forum “serves as a unique platform bringing together diverse stakeholders dedicated to advancing investment, trade, and development across the continent.”
Among those partners he mentioned are governments, business community, private sector, capable of translating existing political will into tangible projects and partnerships while fostering South-South cooperation. Also included are international and African financial institutions and funding bodies responsible for providing the requisite financing mechanisms and facilities.
Consequently, the forum provides an inclusive space where these efforts converge and complement one another.
Abdelatty, in his words, highlighted that Africa is not merely a continent of raw materials, but a continent with human and material potential capable of building productive economies and achieving development across various fields.
He further mentioned the Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania as a prominent testament to what the continent can achieve when its capabilities and potential are integrated and the necessary political will is present.
“Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, our gathering today marks the beginning of a journey that we hope will evolve with each successive edition. We envision this forum becoming a regular platform connecting decision-makers with the business community and financial institutions—a space for identifying opportunities, forging partnerships, and following up on agreed-upon initiatives,” he said.
“In this context, I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his belief in the concept of creating this pan-African platform for high-level dialogue between business and political leaders across the continent, and for personally overcoming all obstacles to convene it in such record time.”
I also acknowledge his successful efforts to transform the city of El Alamein—long associated with the remnants of landmines—into a modern, advanced city and a global tourist destination attracting visitors from around the world.
Abdelatty also thanked all Egypt’s partners, including African and international states and institutions, as well as representatives from the private sector and financial, international, and development organizations—for their contributions to the success of this initiative.
“I wish you fruitful deliberations and look forward to welcoming you to the second edition of the forum in the beautiful city of New Alamein in 2028. Thank you very much,: he concluded.
