El Alamein Forum for Africa Launches with Participation of Over 20 Heads of State and Government

The El Alamein Forum for Africa launched in New El Alamein City, Egypt, with the participation of more than 20 heads of state and government and representatives from governments across the continent, running through October 4. The inaugural edition of the forum represents a continental gathering that puts investment and development at the forefront of discussions among leaders and officials.

Around 1,500 participants from governments, financial institutions, and private sector companies are participating in the forum. The event is co-organized by Egypt, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), and the African Union Development Agency (NEPAD)—key actors in financing trade and development projects across the continent.

The agenda covers investment, infrastructure, trade, and critical minerals. These issues are essential for African economies seeking to expand intra-continental trade and link their markets to global supply chains, at a time of escalating international competition for the continent's mineral resources used in batteries, clean energy, and modern industries. The availability of financing and infrastructure directly affects countries' ability to turn these resources into added value.

The inaugural edition of the forum comes amid African efforts to attract new capital to major projects, as the continent requires broad financing for transport, energy, and industrial projects. The event continues through October 4, allowing participating delegations to hold bilateral meetings and side discussions alongside plenary sessions, supporting the transition from discussions to practical steps and cooperation between governments and investors in the coming period.

What do these terms mean?

Afreximbank: African Export-Import Bank, an African financial institution dedicated to promoting intra- and extra-African trade. NEPAD: African Union Development Agency, working to drive development projects in African countries. Critical Minerals: Minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and copper used in manufacturing batteries and electronic devices. Intra-trade: Commercial exchange among African countries with one another.