President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Sunday reaffirmed Egypt’s full support for the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). He also called for stronger co-operation to advance development across the continent amid mounting economic and geopolitical challenges.
During a meeting on Sunday with the AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah, President Sisi said the current international climate was adding rising pressure on development efforts in African states, underscoring the pivotal role of the bank and the African Development Fund in mobilising finance and providing essential technical support.
The meeting was attended by Hassan Abdalla, Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt and Egypt’s Governor to the African Development Bank, as well as senior AfDB officials.
As the meeting started, President Sisi welcomed Ould Tah and reiterated Egypt’s backing for his leadership of the AfDB since he assumed office in September 2025.
The talks focused on the strategic partnership between Egypt and the AfDB, including Egypt’s support for the financial sustainability of both the Bank and the Fund, as well as ongoing and planned projects under their joint co-operation portfolio, according to Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy.
President Sisi lauded the ongoing efforts to prepare the AfDB’s new Country Strategy Paper for Egypt for 2027–2031, expressing hope that it would be aligned with national priorities, particularly Egypt Vision 2030, while reinforcing the private sector’s role as a principal engine of sustainable and inclusive growth.
He further stressed the importance of infrastructure development across Africa, especially cross-border projects that enhance regional integration, meet sustainability benchmarks and deliver strong developmental returns.
The president noted the wider economic benefits of such schemes, including facilitating the movement of goods and passengers, and highlighted the proven expertise of Egyptian companies in delivering major development projects throughout the continent.
President Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s readiness to share its experience with the Bank, the Fund and fellow African nations, while stressing the need for closer co-ordination with international partners to secure the financing required for priority projects.
The meeting also reviewed preparations for Egypt’s hosting of the inaugural African Business Forum in Alamein in June 2026.
For his part, Ould Tah appreciated Egypt’s continued support and pledged to work closely with the Egyptian government to deepen the longstanding partnership with the Bank Group.
He also commended Egypt’s economic reform programme and praised the resilience of the Egyptian economy in the face of global headwinds. He noted that the Egyptian experience offered valuable lessons for other African countries.
The talks concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening co-ordination and expanding co-operation in the period ahead.
