CAIRO, Oct 2 – Egypt and South Africa have established a Joint Business Council to deepen trade, investment and private-sector cooperation between the two economies, creating a new platform for businesses to pursue projects across strategic sectors.
The Memorandum of Understanding establishing the council was signed on the sidelines of the Africa Automotive Investment Forum in Alamein, Egypt, hosted by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty participated in the launch of the Egyptian-South African Business Council on Friday, October 2, during an investment event focused on Africa’s automotive industry. The event was organised by Egypt’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, Afreximbank and South African representatives.
Abdelatty said the council comes as political engagement between Egypt and South Africa has gained momentum, arguing that stronger government-to-government relations should translate into greater economic and investment cooperation.
The two countries identified several areas for potential collaboration, including mining and mineral resources, manufacturing, energy and renewable energy, agriculture and food processing, pharmaceuticals, transportation, logistics, ports and infrastructure.
Leveraging BRICS and African Financing
Abdelatty also highlighted the potential to use the countries’ participation in BRICS and South Africa’s membership of Afreximbank to expand access to financing and investment opportunities.
The framework is intended to support joint private-sector projects while connecting businesses in two of Africa’s largest economies.
Transport and logistics were another major focus of the initiative. Abdelatty called for stronger connections between northern and southern Africa, including reciprocal logistics zones and more regular shipping routes.
He also pointed to the potential for greater use of the Suez Canal and the ports of Egypt and South Africa to facilitate the movement of goods and investment across the continent.
Linking Africa’s Northern and Southern Markets
The proposed business council provides a formal platform for identifying commercial opportunities and developing partnerships between companies in both countries.
For Egypt, stronger commercial links with South Africa could provide greater access to southern African markets, while South African companies could use Egypt’s geographic position and logistics infrastructure to strengthen connections with North Africa and markets beyond the continent.
Abdelatty expressed hope that the council would move beyond identifying opportunities and help translate them into concrete investments and projects, strengthening bilateral trade while supporting broader African economic integration.
