Nairobi: Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met with Kenya President William Ruto on the sidelines of the 24th Summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in Nairobi. The meeting aimed to discuss bilateral cooperation and strengthen ties between the two nations.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Madbouly attended the summit on behalf of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and conveyed Sisi’s greetings to the Kenyan President. He appreciated Kenya’s role in hosting the event and congratulated Ruto on his new role as the chairperson of the bloc for the upcoming year.

The Egyptian Prime Minister expressed Egypt’s readiness to collaborate with Kenya, offering full support to ensure a successful chairmanship of the significant regional economic group. Madbouly highlighted the positive momentum in bilateral relations following President Ruto’s state visit to Egypt in January 2025 and expressed President Sisi’s intention to visit Kenya soon.

Madbouly emphasized the importance of convening the joint committee between the two countries to enhance cooperation, especially in sectors like the pharmaceutical industry. He also noted Egypt’s close ties with the Nile Basin countries and cited the Julius Nyerere Dam in Tanzania as an example of Egypt’s developmental support in the region.

The leaders also discussed regional issues of mutual concern, including the situation in Gaza. Madbouly highlighted Egypt’s success in cooperating with partners to reach an agreement on the first phase of a ceasefire. President Ruto expressed his eagerness to welcome President Sisi to Kenya and praised Egypt’s efforts in Gaza.

The meeting was attended by Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan El Khatib, and Egypt’s Ambassador to Kenya, Hatem Youssry.