By Ambassador Alaa Youssef
Born along the banks of the River Nile, one learns not merely to observe the waters flowing in the riverbed, but to contemplate within them the story of a nation whose very existence has been intertwined with the river for millennia.
Egypt’s vision for the Nile Basin is rooted in a fundamental premise: water security and sustainable development are not conflicting goals; rather, they are interests that can be realised simultaneously through co-operation, co-ordination, and respect for the principles of international law. Accordingly, Egypt has never opposed the right of any of our brotherly African peoples and nations to development.
On the contrary, it asserts that genuine, sustainable development must be founded on co-operation, the principle of “no harm,” adherence to the principles governing the use of transboundary rivers, and the rejection of unilateral actions in the Eastern Nile Basin that violate international law – thereby safeguarding the rights, equities and interests of all riparian states.
While Egypt steadfastly upholds its water rights and interests, including through exercising all necessary means guaranteed under international law to protect those rights and the existential lifeline of its people, it simultaneously works to expand the scope of development co-operation with nations across the continent. By implementing co-operative projects across diverse sectors, Egypt demonstrates that its policy in Africa is based on partnership, mutual benefit and co-operation rather than conflict.
We are committed to highlighting these efforts consistently and systematically – viewing them not as isolated initiatives, but as integral components of a comprehensive Egyptian vision to foster development, share knowledge and expertise, and develop capacity within Nile Basin countries and across the African continent.
Major projects hold particular significance in this context, foremost among them the Julius Nyerere Dam in Tanzania. This project stands as a prime example of collaborative Egyptian-African development co-operation, demonstrating the tangible results achieved through partnership between Egypt and its brotherly African countries when shared political will, technical expertise, and the capacity to execute large-scale projects align.
Egypt believes in win-win solutions and the capacity of water to connect nations and people across borders. It is imperative to optimise, expand and enhance our water resources to secure shared prosperity for all.
Egypt has thus established numerous solar-powered groundwater pumping stations and wells – including 28 stations in South Sudan, 180 groundwater wells in Kenya, 12 stations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 10 wells in Sudan, 75 wells in Uganda, and 60 wells in Tanzania. Furthermore, Egypt has constructed two river ports and four ground reservoirs in South Sudan, as well as 28 ground reservoirs in Uganda.
Egypt’s firm conviction is that we cannot manage what we cannot measure. Adequate forecasting is essential to guarantee the human right of water for all. Additional Egyptian initiatives thus include establishing rainfall forecasting centres in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; setting up a water quality analysis laboratory and working on a rainfall forecasting centre in South Sudan; implementing two projects to combat aquatic weeds and provide flood protection in Uganda; conducting technical studies for integrated water resources management; and providing training courses for 1,650 trainees from 52 African nations.
These efforts were supported by more than $120 million in funding allocated by the Egyptian government. This is in addition to the pivotal role played by the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development and the Egyptian Initiative for Nile Basin Development in fostering mutually beneficial co-operation between Egypt and Nile Basin countries.
Moreover in 2024, Egypt launched a new mechanism (Nile Development Fund with initial capital $ 100 million) to finance and mobilise financing to infrastructure projects, particularly dams, in the Southern Nile basin countries.
Experience has shown that relations between nations are not built solely through agreements and memoranda; they require bridges of understanding, trust, and communication among peoples. Accordingly, the State Information Service (SIS) is committed to fully presenting Egypt’s position and explaining its stance on vital issues – foremost among them water and the Nile Basin – through its website, which publishes content in nine languages (including three African languages: Swahili, Amharic, and Hausa), as well as through direct and continuous engagement with international media. The recent press conference organised by the SIS, featuring the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation and representatives of international media, serves as a prime example of our efforts to convey Egypt’s image and positions to global public opinion.
Egypt, a nation whose history is inextricably linked to the Nile, seeks co-operation rather than conflict. It does not view development and security as a zero-sum game; rather, it regards sustainable development as a cornerstone of security and stability. This is our message to the brotherly peoples of Africa and the world: Egypt is a voice of reason, a partner in development, and a supporter of stability. We believe that the region’s future is not forged through confrontation, but through co-operation grounded in international law, mutual respect and shared interests.
Ambassador Alaa Youssef
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the State Information Service
