Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly affirmed on Sunday Egypt’s commitment to enhancing economic integration among African nations and improving development rates to raise the living standard across the continent.
Madbouly’s remarks came during his speech on behalf of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi at the Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union (AU) held in the Ghanian capital Accra, according to a cabinet statement.
The speech addressed the role of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) agency, currently chaired by Egypt, in promoting regional and continental integration under the umbrella of Agenda 2063.
PM Madbouly said the main goals of Egypt’s presidency of the NEPAD include securing financial resources for key fields in the continent, promoting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, and strengthening the connection between peace, security, and development, which encompasses post-conflict reconstruction efforts led by President El-Sisi at the continental level.
He added that despite recent advancements in peace, security, and development, Africa still faces significant issues in these areas along with economic challenges.
The challenges also include high poverty and unemployment rates, terrorism, and armed conflicts in several countries, which exacerbate related humanitarian crises, he said.
Madbouly noted that these challenges have been compounded by global geopolitical tensions, such as the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, its impact on Red Sea navigation, and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
The prime minister also held many meetings with African leaders, government heads, and officials, in the presence of the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Badr Abdelatty.
During these meetings, the premier and African leaders expressed their hopes that the AU meeting would have fruitful outcomes that achieve further development in African countries.
