Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said President Abdel Fattah El Sisi fully supports the goals of the 24th Summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
Madbouli made the remarks in a speech he delivered, on behalf of President Sisi, at the opening session of the COMESA summit, which kicked off in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Thursday, in the presence of African leaders, heads of government, and representatives of African organizations.
The premier congratulated Kenyan President William Ruto on his presidency of COMESA and extended his appreciation to the president of Burundi for his dedicated efforts during his previous tenure as COMESA Chair.
Egypt believes regional integration is a cornerstone of sustainable development and it remains committed to active participation in joint initiatives and projects in areas such as infrastructure, energy, health, and digital transformation — given that collective action is the most effective means of harnessing the continent’s resources, Madbouli said.
He stressed Egypt’s firm commitment to supporting continental integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), viewing it as a strategic framework to strengthen regional economic blocs.
Egypt also underscores the importance of coordination between COMESA and other continental trade initiatives to build a genuine African common market, attract investment, and enhance the competitiveness and resilience of African economies, Madbouli added.
He went on to say that Egypt gives priority to supporting development initiatives and regional projects within COMESA and strengthening its institutional and financial capacities, expressing his country’s readiness to harness its achievements in infrastructure, logistics, and digital transformation to serve the bloc’s commercial interests and meet the needs of member states.
He also highlighted Egypt’s ongoing efforts to activate the role of the COMESA Regional Investment Agency (COMESA RIA) and to organize events aimed at attracting investment to COMESA countries.
These efforts include promoting infrastructure and digital development, facilitating trade, and encouraging investment to boost intra-regional trade and overcome growing tariff and non-tariff barriers, the prime minister noted.
“The timing of our meeting today is highly significant, as the world and our continent face complex political and economic challenges. Some COMESA member states are experiencing political and security instability, which calls for greater solidarity, joint action, and adherence to the principles of sovereignty, good neighborliness, and support for state institutions while avoiding unilateral policies. Egypt spares no effort in assisting brotherly nations to restore stability and safeguard regional peace and security,” Madbouli stated.
He continued, “We are all confronting global economic slowdown, rising inflation and debt levels, and the escalating impacts of climate change — particularly on food and water security. This requires enhanced cooperation to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and prosperity by expanding intra-African trade, deepening value chains, encouraging joint investments, and strengthening the role of the private sector,” the prime minister added.
Madbouli reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to working closely with Kenya to ensure the success of its leadership of COMESA and to deepen coordination with the Secretariat and member states in advancing regional economic integration.
