By Sahar el-Zayaty and Sarah Saad
Egypt, a land steeped in history and revered as a cradle of civilisation, has in recent times embarked on an ambitious journey of modernisation and development.
Under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and the Egyptian government, significant strides have been made to showcase a dynamic and forward-looking nation.
Efforts have been directed towards presenting Egypt as a key player on the African continent, one that harmoniously blends its rich heritage with a clear vision for the future.
This article reports on the experiences of six African journalists who participated in the 60th training course for African Journalists held in Cairo, Egypt.
The course, organized by the Supreme Council for Media Regulation and the Union of African Journalists, took place from April 12th to May 1st, 2025.
The journalists shared their perspectives with The Egyptian Gazette, offering insights into their firsthand experience in Egypt during this training programme.
The journalists were notably impressed by Egypt’s developmental strides, particularly the ambitious New Administrative Capital.
Gaël Zozoro (Journalist, Côte d’Ivoire): Zozoro arrived in Egypt with immense joy, considering it a “pillar of human history.” He was particularly struck by the New Administrative Capital, seeing its construction as a clear indicator of Egypt’s developmental ambitions.
He lauded its “high-quality infrastructure” and suggested it as an inspiration for other African nations.
Fungai Lupande (Bureau Chief, The Herald, Zimbabwe): Lupande’s initial image of Egypt was shaped by tales of pharaohs, pyramids, and biblical references. Her arrival was marked by smooth processes and the vastness of Cairo.
A highlight for her was Alexandria, where she admired the preservation of history and culture, noting with pride Zimbabwe’s contribution to the Alexandria Library.
The New Administrative Capital resonated with Zimbabwe’s own urban expansion plans, and she was encouraged by the collaboration between the two nations in this regard.
Ruvimbo Chakanyuka (Communications Expert and Consultant, Zimbabwe): Chakanyuka came to Egypt with an open mind, eager to experience the country firsthand.
A memorable experience for her was visiting sites associated with the Holy Family.
She was impressed by the high level of education, especially among women. Regarding the New Administrative Capital, she sees benefits in improved infrastructure, economic growth, and streamlined governance.
Chakanyuka also highlighted the strong bilateral ties between Egypt and Zimbabwe, including educational exchanges.
Chishimba Bwalya (Online Assistant, Zambia Daily Mail, Zambia): Bwalya admitted to some initial apprehension about language barriers but was pleasantly surprised by the helpfulness of the Egyptian people. He cherished his visit to Alexandria, his first time swimming in the sea. He observed Egypt’s significant investment in tourism and its appreciation for art and culture.
The New Administrative Capital impressed him with its beauty, artistic design, and potential to become a future business hub, drawing parallels with Dubai.
Emmanuel Chikonso (Journalist, MBC, Malawi): Chikonsoarrived with a focus on Egypt’s rich history but was quickly taken by the rapid development he witnessed, particularly the New Administrative Capital and the vibrant tourism sector. His visit to Alexandria was also memorable. He admired the respect for women in Egyptian society and the citizens’ proactive approach to national development.
He saw immense potential for positive stories about Egypt to be shared with the world, beyond just the ongoing conflicts in the region.
Emmanuel Dzivenu (Journalist, The Multimedia Group Limited, Ghana): Dzivenu confessed that he previously only viewed Egypt as a land of ancient wonders and was surprised to see it as a model for modern African development.
While appreciating Alexandria and Old Cairo, he was most impressed by the New Administrative Capital, calling it a “bold, deliberate and sweeping declaration of a country that knows exactly what it wants.”
He detailed the capital’s sustainable design, technological focus, and governance aims. Beyond the new capital, Dzivenu also highlighted Egypt’s development of cities like New Alamein and New Toshki, seeing them as part of a coherent national strategy fusing urban planning, technology, and economic vision.
He further noted Egypt’s parallel investments in transportation, such as the high-speed rail network, and the digital economy, alongside significant social programs like “Decent Life” and women’s empowerment initiatives.
He also highlighted Egypt’s progress in public health, particularly its 2020 malaria-free certification by the WHO and the subsequent “Malaria-Free Africa” programme.
The experiences and opinions of these African journalists paint a picture of a dynamic Egypt, deeply rooted in its ancient heritage yet resolutely focused on a modern future.
President Sisi’s efforts to showcase the nation’s progress, particularly through projects like the New Administrative Capital, appear to have left a significant impression.
The journalists’ observations align with the core tenets of Egypt’s 2030 vision, emphasising sustainable development, infrastructure modernisation, and regional leadership.
