Egypt Embassy in Pretoria Launches Alamein Africa Forum to Advance African Partnerships
The Embassy of Egypt in Pretoria hosted a high-level luncheon reception on Monday, 11 May 2026, bringing together ambassadors, African institutions, development finance leaders, investors, business executives and policymakers to promote the upcoming Alamein Africa Forum: G063.
Held at Egypt House in Muckleneuk, Pretoria, the event focused on strengthening African partnerships, mobilising investment, and accelerating practical implementation of Agenda 2063 through stronger collaboration between governments, financial institutions and the private sector.
Hosted under the theme African Opportunity and Partnership, the reception positioned the Alamein Africa Forum as a strategic African platform designed to connect policy, capital and enterprise ahead of the African Union Mid-Year Summit scheduled to take place in Egypt in June 2026.
Egypt Calls for Practical African Economic Cooperation
Opening the gathering, H.E. Ambassador Ahmad Sharief, Ambassador of Egypt to South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho and Permanent Representative of Egypt to SADC, described the Alamein Africa Forum as more than a conference, but rather a practical implementation platform for Africa’s development ambitions.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Sharief emphasized that African economic cooperation must move beyond declarations toward operational partnerships capable of delivering measurable outcomes.
He further noted that the Alamein Africa Forum would provide governments, investors, businesses and development institutions with opportunities for sector engagement, deal-making, investment promotion and continental networking.
The Ambassador encouraged African governments, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, investors and business delegations to actively participate in the forum scheduled to take place in Egypt from 25–27 June 2026.
“We need more projects, more partnerships, more African value chains, more regional business, and more institutions capable of carrying commitments beyond the room,” Ambassador Sharief said.
AUDA-NEPAD Reaffirms Commitment to Agenda 2063
The event featured remarks from H.E. Ms Nardos Bekele-Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency – NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), who underscored the importance of African-led partnerships in financing and implementing continental development priorities.
She highlighted the importance of collaboration between Egypt, AUDA-NEPAD, the African Development Bank and the private sector in building stronger regional value chains and enhancing Africa’s economic integration.
Bekele-Thomas added that such partnerships are essential to accelerating the realization of Agenda 2063 and positioning Africa as a future global economic powerhouse.
“Together, we can strengthen Africa’s capacity to finance, implement and deliver its own development. Together, we can build a stronger African market, stronger regional value chains, and stronger continental institutions,” Ms Nardos Bekele-Thomas said.
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Highlights Africa’s Responsibility to Shape Its Own Future
Remarks on behalf of the diplomatic community were delivered by H.E. Ambassador Salih Omar Abdu, Ambassador of Eritrea to South Africa and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.
Addressing diplomats, investors and development institutions, Ambassador Salih Omar Abdu described the Alamein Africa Forum as a reflection of Africa’s growing confidence and determination to shape its own development trajectory.
The Dean emphasized that Africa must position itself not as a passive observer in global affairs, but as an active architect of the future international economic order.
He praised Egypt’s historical and strategic leadership role on the continent while also acknowledging South Africa’s legacy of political and economic transformation inspired by leaders such as Nelson Mandela.
Ambassador Salih Omar Abdu further stressed the need for stronger African institutions, African-owned development strategies, and greater investment in young people.
“The story of Africa is no longer a story waiting to be written by others. It is a story being written by Africans themselves,” Ambassador Salih Omar Abdu said. “Young Africans are not waiting for the future. They are creating it. A continent that empowers its youth empowers its future,” he added.
Business Leaders Promote Egypt as a Continental Infrastructure and Investment Model
South African business leader Mr Ronnie S. Ntuli, Chairman of Thelo Group and Board Member of Afreximbank, praised Egypt’s rapid infrastructure development and described the country as an example of African implementation capacity.
Ntuli noted that the Alamein Africa Forum was not “another talk shop,” but a platform focused on practical outcomes including policy alignment, partnership mobilisation, financing pathways, intra-African trade and investment execution.
He highlighted Egypt’s extensive infrastructure expansion under Vision 2030, including smart cities, transportation corridors, rail infrastructure and renewable energy development.
He encouraged South African and African businesses to participate actively in the Alamein Africa Forum and explore strategic partnerships with Egyptian companies.
“Egypt is building a future from the ground up. They are proving that African capacity is delivering world-class infrastructure,” Mr Ronnie Ntuli said.
African Development Bank Highlights Africa’s Investment Potential
The African Development Bank was represented by Mr Fernando Balderrama, Lead Investment Officer at the AfDB South Africa Country Office, who highlighted the importance of connecting capital to bankable African opportunities.
Balderrama emphasized that Africa’s challenge is not a lack of opportunity, but rather stronger project preparation and investment mobilisation mechanisms.
He explained that platforms such as the African Investment Forum and the Alamein Africa Forum help translate continental priorities into executable and investment-ready projects.
Balderrama also stressed the strategic importance of regional integration, infrastructure corridors, energy access, digital connectivity and blended finance in unlocking Africa’s next phase of economic growth.
“Africa is not short of opportunity. What is often needed is stronger project preparation, structured investment promotion, and credible platforms that connect capital to bankable opportunities,” Mr Fernando Balderrama said.
Egypt Highlights Economic Reforms and Investment Opportunities
Commercial Counsellor Mr Ehab Salah El-Din from the Embassy of Egypt in Pretoria delivered an extensive overview of Egypt’s economic progress and investment opportunities.
He noted that Egypt’s economy had demonstrated resilience through macroeconomic reforms, increased foreign direct investment inflows and improved financial stability.
According to Salah El-Din, Egypt has remained Africa’s leading destination for foreign direct investment for four consecutive years and continues to expand opportunities across manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, logistics, energy and financial services.
He also outlined emerging investment mechanisms including the Egyptian Stock Exchange, venture capital funds, industrial investment funds and partnerships through the Sovereign Fund of Egypt.
Using a light-hearted anecdote previously shared by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Salah El-Din reminded delegates that business partnerships often begin through human interaction, dialogue and networking opportunities created at forums such as these.
“Today’s event represents more than a business forum. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in Africa’s economic relations based on mutual benefit, practical cooperation and shared success,” Mr Ehab Salah El-Din said.
Alamein Africa Forum Positioned as African Platform for Action
The luncheon reception concluded with networking engagements among diplomats, government officials, investors, development finance institutions and private sector leaders.
The event reinforced growing momentum behind the Alamein Africa Forum as a continental platform designed to strengthen African cooperation, investment mobilisation and implementation partnerships.
As Africa navigates global economic shifts, digital transformation, infrastructure demands and demographic growth, speakers consistently emphasized that the continent possesses the resources, talent, institutions and markets needed to shape its own future.
The overarching message from Pretoria was clear: Africa’s development must increasingly be driven by African leadership, African capital, African partnerships and African implementation.
