Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Mohamed Farid, has emphasised the strategic importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key driver of economic integration across the continent, underscoring the need to accelerate its implementation and translate its frameworks into tangible trade and investment outcomes.
He affirmed that Egypt’s co-operation with African partners is centred on linking trade with export-oriented investment, strengthening regional value chains, advancing industrialisation, and addressing shared economic challenges, including foreign currency constraints in several countries.
These remarks were made during a meeting held in Washington with Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, as part of the minister’s ongoing consultations with international and regional partners. The discussions focused on enhancing joint co-operation and maximising the benefits of the agreement in line with Egypt’s objectives to increase exports and localise industry.
Minister Farid reiterated Egypt’s commitment to supporting the effective implementation of the AfCFTA, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts to unlock new opportunities for intra-African trade and investment.
Secretary-General Mene, for his part, commended Egypt’s active role in advancing continental negotiations, noting progress achieved in key technical areas, particularly rules of origin and priority sectors. He reaffirmed the secretariat’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Egypt to accelerate implementation and maximise benefits for member states.
The meeting also addressed preparations for the upcoming African Union Coordination Meeting in New Alamein City, including a proposal to establish a joint working group to organise a high-level business forum aimed at attracting investment and showcasing opportunities across the continent.
Both sides further stressed the importance of a unified African voice in international forums, supported by enhanced technical cooperation on trade defence mechanisms.
