El Alamein, Egypt – South Africa and Egypt have strengthened their economic partnership with the launch of the Joint South Africa Egypt Business Council on Friday on the sidelines of the Alamein Africa Business Forum in Egypt.
The new council is expected to create practical opportunities for businesses from both countries to expand trade, investment and commercial partnerships across Africa and beyond.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) described Egypt as a strategic partner for South Africa and its largest export market in North Africa.
“It has by far the largest population in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, over 102 million, a GDP [gross domestic product] of $362 billion, and is one of Africa’s most diversified, large, and dynamic economies. There are solid opportunities for South African companies in the medium-to-long term and a platform for commercial activities in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa,” said the dtic.
The department said bilateral trade between South Africa and Egypt has recorded significant growth in recent years.
“According to data received [from] Statistics South Africa, direct bilateral trade increased by 26% from R3.4 billion in 2024 to R4.3 billion in 2025. Secondly, South Africa’s exports to Egypt grew by 21% from R1.3 billion in 2024 to R1.6 billion in 2025. Based on direct data, South Africa had a trade deficit with Egypt from 2021 to 2025.
“These are positive results, making South Africa Egypt’s 46th export destination and 58th source of imports from the rest of the world in 2025,” the department said.
The Joint Business Council will focus on several areas considered important to expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.
Among its key initiatives are the launch of a Mining and Minerals Partnership, an Automotive and New Energy Mobility Partnership, an Agriculture and Agro processing Corridor, and an Engineering and Infrastructure Partnership.
The council will also establish a Renewable Energy and Green Industrial Platform, while plans are being developed for an Africa Joint Venture Investment Fund.
The proposed fund is intended to serve as a private sector investment vehicle targeting companies and projects with the potential to expand beyond the South African and Egyptian domestic markets.
South African Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau also participated in the Africa Automotive Investment Forum held alongside the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum.
The forum was held under the theme, “Unlocking Africa’s Automotive Industry Potential under the AfCFTA.”
It was hosted by Dr Mohamed Farid Saleh, Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, in collaboration with the African Export Import Bank and the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers.
Participants at the forum witnessed the signing and launch of the Joint Business Council between South Africa and Egypt.
“The outcome of this relationship results in deepening bilateral trade and investment by creating practical commercial partnerships between South African and Egyptian companies, while using both countries as gateways into Southern, North and wider African markets,” the department explained.
For South Africa, the automotive forum provided an opportunity to promote the country as an important manufacturing and investment base within Africa’s developing automotive value chain.
The engagement also sought to strengthen connections between South African vehicle manufacturers, African markets, component producers, logistics networks and sources of investment capital.
The forum brought together policymakers, government representatives, original equipment manufacturers, component manufacturers, suppliers, investors, financiers, logistics companies and development partners.
Leave a comment