Egypt has opened the first Alamein Africa Business Forum, bringing together 1,500 participants in New Alamein, including heads of state and government, public and private-sector leaders, investors and international financial institutions.
Held from October 2 to 4, 2026, the forum is taking place under an African Union decision to convene the event every two years in New Alamein. Its stated aim is to turn cross-sector discussions into partnerships and investment projects.
One agreement signed during the event links Egypt’s El Araby Group with South Africa-based Malben Engineering, a manufacturer of metal components and parts for the automotive industry. According to the announcement, the partnership will support automotive supply chains, deepen local manufacturing and explore expansion across African markets.
Egypt’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade also presented plans to strengthen entrepreneurship through better access to finance, clearer regulations and wider market access. Proposed reforms include updates covering convertible financing instruments, preferred shares, capital increases, company valuations, shareholder agreements, mergers and acquisitions.
Minister Mohamed Farid said the government is also working to digitize post-incorporation services, connect government databases and reduce paperwork. He highlighted the importance of linking startups with established companies and productive sectors so they can address real business challenges, secure customers and build scalable models.
Separate meetings with Afreximbank, Italy’s SACE and the African Trade and Development Bank focused on export finance, guarantees and helping Egyptian companies expand across African markets.
Source: El Balad
