At the Russian-African Ministerial Conference, Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held talks with counterparts from several African nations, signaling a shift toward broader continental engagement beyond traditional Nile concerns.
The conference, held over the weekend in late December 2025, marked a pivotal moment for Egyptian foreign policy. Abdelatty met with South African Deputy Foreign Minister Tandi Moraka on Sunday, capping a series of discussions with officials from Somalia, Rwanda, Malawi, and Equatorial Guinea. These meetings underscored Egypt's ambition to become an active player in African development through infrastructure, healthcare, and security initiatives.
Economic cooperation took center stage. In Malawi, proposals included Egyptian private sector involvement in rehabilitating Kamuzu International Airport and building hydroelectric dams. Similar plans for social housing and infrastructure were discussed with Equatorial Guinea. In South Africa, Abdelatty highlighted recent successes where Egyptian firms won renewable energy tenders and expressed hopes to establish the Egyptian-South African Business Council for a sustainable partnership.
Healthcare efforts featured prominently, with the Magdi Yacoub Heart Centre in Rwanda set to serve as a regional medical hub. The first shipment of equipment has been purchased, and an inauguration is planned for 2026.
On security, Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's support for Horn of Africa stability during talks with Somali Foreign Minister Abdusalam Abdi Ali, including the recent embassy relocation to Mogadishu and advocacy for funding the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia. Nile water issues were addressed with Rwanda through calls for inclusive dialogue within the Nile Basin Initiative, rejecting unilateral actions.
Egypt also positioned itself as a mediator in the Great Lakes region, endorsing the Washington and Doha agreements for de-escalation in eastern Congo. Additional cooperation includes police training for Equatorial Guinea and agricultural expertise for Rwanda. Looking ahead, presidential visits to Rwanda and South Africa are anticipated in 2026.
Abdelatty told his Malawian counterpart that the goal is to integrate Egyptian expertise into Africa's growth, framing this pivot as a strategic necessity for Cairo.