Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdel-Aati met with Gambian Foreign Minister Sering Modou Njie on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of leading African states implementing the Global Compact for Migration. The discussion focused on deepening bilateral ties and enhancing coordination on matters of mutual interest.
Minister Abdel-Aati commended the growing momentum in Egypt-Gambia relations and expressed commitment to developing co-operation across various sectors. He highlighted the importance of increasing trade volumes, promoting mutual investment, and convening joint committee between the two countries at the earliest opportunity.
He also encouraged Egyptian companies and the private sector to explore opportunities in the Gambian market, including those under the African Continental Free Trade Area. He also called on Gambian businesses to participate in the mid-year coordination summit business forum scheduled for June in New Alamein.
He reaffirmed Egypt’s support for Gambia’s national development plans, particularly in infrastructure, energy, roads, agriculture, and the pharmaceutical sector. He also underscored Egypt’s readiness to contribute to capacity-building programmes through the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development and the Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding.
The two foreign ministers also explored ways to enhance academic co-operation between Egyptian universities and the University of Gambia, with a focus on medicine and engineering.
Regional developments, especially in the Sahel region, were also discussed during the meeting, alongside strategies to promote peace, security, and sustainable development. Minister Abdel-Aati emphasised Egypt’s readiness to share its expertise in counterterrorism through expanded training programmes for military and security personnel from Sahel countries.
Both ministers agreed on the need for continued bilateral and multilateral coordination and consultation to advance shared interests and support joint African initiatives.
