Egypt can use its oil and gas infrastructure and the experience of its energy companies to connect African producers with regional and international markets, Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi said.
Speaking at the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum in the coastal city of New Alamein on Friday, Badawi said Egypt could support co-operation across the continent in oil, gas and mining, from processing and storage to transport and exports.
Egypt’s infrastructure includes gas networks, liquefied natural gas export plants at Idku and Damietta, pipelines, petroleum ports, refineries and petrochemical complexes, he said. These facilities could help African oil producers refine, blend and store crude and petroleum products, increasing the value retained within the continent.
Badawi also pointed to Egypt’s position on the Mediterranean and Red seas and its access to international shipping routes. He cited cooperation between the Al Hamra petroleum port on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast and the UAE’s Fujairah port as an example of logistics links that could support the handling and trading of African petroleum products.
Egyptian companies have experience in engineering, construction, drilling, refinery operations and infrastructure development, and are seeking opportunities to expand across Africa, the minister said. He cited projects involving Petrogjet in Algeria and refinery operations and technical support by Eprom in Nigeria.
He also said Egyptian drilling company EDC aims to grow its presence in African markets, while gas vehicle conversion company Cargas is exploring opportunities in Nigeria.
Badawi said Egypt supports the proposed African Energy Bank, an initiative of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO), to finance projects ranging from exploration and production to pipelines, storage, LNG, refining and petrochemicals.
He called for greater investment in processing and manufacturing minerals within Africa, rather than exporting raw materials, and said cooperation should combine mining with energy infrastructure, technology and workforce training.
On the sidelines of the forum, Badawi met executives from 10 Egyptian oil, gas and mining companies exhibiting at the event. He urged them to engage with African officials and pursue opportunities in energy, infrastructure and mining projects.
