Egypt, UK pledge deeper economic ties
Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdel-Aati, met on Friday with the UK Minister of State for International Development and Africa, Jenny Chapman, to discuss a broad agenda of economic cooperation and regional security.
Minister Abdel-Aati highlighted the significant potential to increase British investments in Egypt, citing the improved investment climate fostered by recent structural and economic reforms.
The discussions aimed to push bilateral ties toward broader horizons across political, economic, and trade sectors.
A primary focus of the meeting was Egypt’s developmental footprint in Africa. Abdel-Aati detailed Cairo’s approach to continental cooperation, which prioritises high-impact infrastructure projects and public-private partnerships. He pointed to the Julius Nyerere Dam in Tanzania as a flagship model of successful Egyptian-African collaboration.
Furthermore, the Minister expressed Egypt’s readiness to enhance tripartite cooperation involving international partners, the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, and African Union bodies hosted in Cairo.
Addressing regional crises
The two ministers also touched on the deteriorating situation in Sudan. Abdel-Aati briefed Chapman on Cairo’s ongoing efforts within the Quad mechanism, which is a diplomatic initiative launched in September 2025, comprising Egypt, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
He stressed the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian truce leading to a comprehensive ceasefire,a Sudanese-led, inclusive political process, and the establishment of safe humanitarian corridors to ensure unhindered aid delivery.
Minister Abdel-Aatihas reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering support for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and the preservation of its national institutions.
As for Somalia, the two ministers discussed the importance of safeguarding its unity. Abdel-Aati called for expedited funding for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
He also reviewed the current arrangements for deploying Egyptian forces as part of the mission, a move intended to bolster counter-terrorism efforts and regional security.
Shared vision for Africa
The British official expressed her appreciation for Egypt’s burgeoning role in fostering stability and development across the continent. She specifically praised Cairo’s approach,which integrates security measures with sustainable economic partnerships.
The UK minister affirmed London’s commitment to maintaining close coordination with Cairo on regional flashpoints, including the Sahel and West Africa. Both parties concluded the meeting by reiterating their desire to expand tripartite cooperation to build capacity and drive sustainable development across Africa.
