Egypt Hosts Inaugural Alamein Africa Forum to Boost Influence

African leaders are set to meet in Egypt on Friday for the inaugural three-day Alamein Africa Forum, which aims to strengthen Egypt's influence across the continent. This initiative is part of Egypt's strategy to reassert its role in Africa, especially as China and Gulf states gain prominence.

The forum, expected to host over 20 heads of state and government representatives, will focus on critical sectors such as infrastructure, trade, agriculture, healthcare, mining, technology, and renewable energy. Egypt's deputy foreign minister for African affairs, Mohamed Abu Bakr Saleh, stated that the forum would become a biennial event under an African Union mandate.

Despite Egypt's estimated $14 billion investments in Africa, trade within the continent remains low, totaling $192 billion in 2023. The forum also occurs amid ongoing tensions regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Egypt views as a threat to its Nile water supply.

Saleh emphasized that Egypt's water security is an existential issue.