Egypt will host the first Egyptian–African Economic Conference on Saturday at Al-Ahram's headquarters in Cairo, under the patronage of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Abdel Sadeq Al-Shorbagy, chairperson of the National Press Authority. Organised by Al-Ahram Hebdo as part of celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Al-Ahram, the Egyptian–African conference will be held under the theme "The Africa We Want... Integration and Partnership for the Future." The event coincides with Africa Industrialisation Week. A wide group of ministers, senior officials and economic leaders from Egypt and Africa will attend. Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Minister Rania Al-Mashat will participate on behalf of the prime minister, alongside Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk, former Egyptian prime minister Ibrahim Mahlab, UN Special Envoy Mahmoud Mohieldin and Customs Authority head Ahmed Amwi. Also attending are Deputy Transport Minister Hossam El-Din Mostafa, representatives from GAFI, AfDB, Afreximbank, international financial institutions, industry federations, the African Journalists Union and ambassadors from African states in Cairo. Other participants include Commercial Representation Authority head Abdelaziz El-Sherif; Sherif El-Gebaly, chair of the African Affairs Committee in Parliament and the Federation of Egyptian Industries; former Medical and Pharmaceutical Export Council president Magid George; Mary-Louis Bishara of the Ready-Made Garments Export Council; MSMEDA CEO Basel Rahmy; and Federation of Chambers of Commerce president Ahmed El-Wakil. The Egyptian–African Economic Conference aims to develop a shared vision for accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), expanding investment opportunities and increasing trade between Egypt and African countries to support sustainable development and strengthen Africa's role in the global economy. Sessions will address key issues including infrastructure and investment as foundations for integration, value chains and manufacturing to increase added value, and financial integration to support intra-African trade. The programme also explores economic diplomacy as a tool to deepen political and economic cooperation. The Egyptian–African Economic Conference will close with a formal address by the finance minister, followed by an awards segment and a video highlighting major achievements in Egyptian-African economic cooperation. The conference takes place at a time of global uncertainty, with rising geopolitical tensions and resource pressures placing African economies among the most exposed. Organisers say the meeting underscores Egypt's strategic vision for Africa and the need for stronger unity and coordinated action. The agenda aligns with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's call for a "collective mobilisation" to advance African integration and seize emerging opportunities despite the continent's ongoing challenges.
