Abou El Enein Calls for Action-Oriented African Investment Strategy at AU Forum

Egyptian MP Mohamed Abou El Enein addressed the African Forum on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, calling for a shift from decades of dialogue on African integration to concrete implementation and large-scale investment action.

Drawing on nearly four decades of investment experience across manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, real estate, media, and sports, Abou El Enein highlighted Africa’s untapped economic strength. 

He stressed that the continent must promote a unified investment vision internationally, backed by joint ventures, feasibility studies, and structured cooperation between governments and the private sector.

He proposed stronger coordination under the African Union to market ready-to-launch projects globally and create mechanisms that reduce investor risk. Among his key ideas was the formation of an African-style “Paris Club” to negotiate debt collectively and improve financial leverage. He also advocated establishing a unified African mining bloc to enhance bargaining power in global resource markets.

Abou El Enein emphasized that Africa’s demographic advantage—where nearly 65 percent of the population is youth—must be transformed into an economic engine. With millions entering the labor market annually, he called for specialized industrial zones modeled on successful international experiences, alongside innovative financing tools and insurance frameworks to attract foreign capital.

He pointed to Egypt’s development model, including the expansion of inhabited land, growth in higher education institutions, and national initiatives focused on digital transformation and artificial intelligence training. Such models, he argued, can be scaled regionally to foster technology transfer and build advanced industries within Africa rather than relying solely on imports.

Calling for updates to Africa’s long-term Agenda 2063 strategy through practical five- and ten-year action plans, Abou El Enein urged African leaders to convene focused summits dedicated to execution. He concluded by encouraging the promotion of a “New Africa” brand—one that prioritizes value-added production, strategic partnerships, and sustainable development driven by African capabilities.