Cairo: Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Dr Mohamed Farid, met on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with Haitham Al-Maayirji, Executive Vice-President of the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK), to discuss expanding economic and trade cooperation between Egypt and African markets.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting concentrated on enhancing investment and trade integration through innovative financing solutions. Key topics included increasing the use of the African Payments and Settlements Platform to support transactions in local currencies, and strengthening cooperation in the mining, tourism, and construction sectors.

The discussions also covered plans to position Egypt as a continental re-export hub by leveraging its ports, logistics network, free zones, and special economic zones to facilitate trade flows between Africa, Asia, and Europe under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.

Dr Farid emphasized the government's ongoing efforts to improve the investment climate through digitization, streamlined trade procedures, and stronger connections between Egyptian investment opportunities and African markets. He noted the partnership with AFREXIMBANK as a crucial step towards deepening regional economic integration and expanding financing tools for exporters and investors.

Al-Maayirji reaffirmed the bank's commitment to strengthening cooperation with Egypt, describing the country as a strategic trade and investment hub in Africa. He further highlighted a proposed joint program to support Egyptian exports to African markets through accredited export trading companies.