Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi recently co-chaired a significant high-level summit in the Mediterranean city of New Alamein. This gathering marked a pivotal moment for the founding nations of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), as it signaled a commitment to a future marked by self-reliance and private-sector-driven growth across Africa.
Celebrating NEPAD’s Milestone
The summit, which also featured Angolan President João Lourenço, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Leaders from the founding states—Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa—came together with other dignitaries, including Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye and AUDA-NEPAD CEO Nardos Bekele-Thomas. This assembly wasn’t merely a ceremonial occasion but a strategic meeting to address Africa’s developmental challenges collectively.
Al-Sisi’s Vision for African Development
In his opening remarks, President Al-Sisi stressed that genuine development cannot be imported; it must arise from the continent’s own resources, innovation, and knowledge. He firmly stated that Africa should increasingly depend on its capabilities and establish robust African financing mechanisms. He presented NEPAD as the vital instrument for translating the ambitious Agenda 2063 into reality, underscoring the need for Africa’s self-sufficiency.
Al-Sisi also discussed Egypt’s commitment while chairing the NEPAD steering committee, particularly focusing on bridging developmental funding gaps. He mentioned the biennial Alamein Africa Business Forum, designed to stimulate cross-border investments and support the second ten-year implementation plan of Agenda 2063. Moreover, his push for the creation of an African Union development fund, part of the “Team Africa” initiative, aims to strengthen the continent’s project execution capabilities.
Empowering the Private Sector
The president also highlighted the importance of fostering a conducive investment environment for the African private sector. He emphasized that governments must create favorable conditions through infrastructure development, legislative reforms, and political stability. By doing so, Africa can unlock its full economic potential and encourage private enterprises to thrive.
Angolan President João Lourenço echoed these sentiments, commending Egypt’s leadership over the past three years. As the new chair of the AUDA-NEPAD steering committee, he reiterated the importance of self-reliance and called for consistent voluntary financial contributions from member states to support AUDA-NEPAD. He also pointed to recent continental infrastructure projects, like the Lobito Corridor, as examples of AUDA-NEPAD’s effectiveness.
Conclusion: A New Era of Collaboration
The summit culminated in the adoption of the “Alamein Declaration,” which reinforced NEPAD’s status as the continent’s leading development agency. It elevated the role of the African private sector as a key driver of growth and officially recognized the Alamein Africa Business Forum as a permanent biennial event.
The first session of the Alamein Africa Forum kicked off in El Alamein, gathering approximately 1,500 African business leaders to foster discussions on investment, trade, and economic cooperation. Running from October 2 to 4, the forum is a concerted effort to promote greater economic integration across the continent, co-organized by the Egyptian government, the African Export-Import Bank, and the African Union Development Agency. Emerging from this summit is a clear message: Africa is poised to leverage its own resources for a sustainable and prosperous future.