PRETORIA, South Africa: Egypt is stepping up efforts to deepen economic and diplomatic ties with South Africa and the wider continent ahead of the inaugural Africa Business Forum, while also expanding consular services for Egyptians living in South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho.
Egyptian Ambassador to South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho Ahmad Sharief, who also serves as Egypt’s Permanent Representative to the Southern African Development Community, hosted a luncheon in Pretoria bringing together ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to South Africa.
The gathering included Nardos Bekele Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency NEPAD, members of the Egypt South Africa Business Council, representatives of the South African business community and members of the Egyptian community in South Africa.
During the luncheon, Sharief outlined preparations for the inaugural Africa Business Forum, scheduled to take place in New Alamein, Egypt, from 2 to 4 October 2026.
The ambassador said the forum would provide an opportunity to strengthen links between business communities in Egypt, South Africa and other parts of Africa, while creating partnerships around key continental projects.
The forum is expected to bring business and other stakeholders together around projects and partnerships linked to Africa’s economic and development priorities.
Sharief also spoke about the embassy’s engagement with the Egyptian community in South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho and efforts to improve access to consular services.
He outlined the main services offered by the embassy’s Consular Section to Egyptian citizens across the three countries.
Responding to requests from members of the Egyptian community, the embassy has recently started accepting applications for the renewal of Egyptian national identity cards and for updating personal information recorded on the cards.
The ambassador also noted that the embassy organised a consular outreach mission to Cape Town in April 2026.
Further outreach missions are planned for areas outside Gauteng in the coming period. The initiative is intended to make consular services more accessible to Egyptians living in different parts of South Africa, as well as those in Botswana and Lesotho.
The luncheon also served as a farewell gathering for Minister Plenipotentiary Mohamed Kandil, the outgoing Deputy Head of Mission, and Staff Colonel Ahmed Abdel Raouf, the outgoing Egyptian Defence Attaché, following the completion of their assignments in Pretoria.
Sharief expressed his appreciation to both officials for their service and their contributions to strengthening relations between Egypt and South Africa during their postings.
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