Al-Mashat Leads Key Meetings at African Development Bank Annual Event in Kenya

 Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation and Alternate Governor at the African Development Bank (AfDB), conducted a series of high-profile meetings during the AfDB Annual Meetings in Nairobi. These discussions aimed to bolster international cooperation and advance Egypt’s development agenda.

Dr. Al-Mashat met with several key figures, including Mr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of the AfDB, Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development, and Waleed AlBahar, Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. These meetings focused on strengthening economic cooperation and aligning development efforts with Egypt’s national priorities.

In a significant meeting with Mr. Andrew Mitchell, UK Minister of State for Development, Dr. Al-Mashat expressed gratitude for the UK's support in Egypt's economic and structural reforms. They discussed future collaboration in agriculture, food security, and energy security, including a $7 million British grant for Egypt’s "NWFE" program. They also explored joint efforts with the UK Export Finance Agency in water projects and climate action training for government officials.

Dr. Al-Mashat also engaged with Mr. Olivier Pognon, CEO of the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF), to explore opportunities for joint cooperation. This partnership focuses on providing legal and technical support to African governments, particularly in the energy sector. The collaboration with the Egyptian Sovereign Fund to support the Green Hydrogen program was particularly emphasized, highlighting Egypt’s efforts to expand green hydrogen production and establish itself as a regional leader in renewable energy.

Additionally, Dr. Al-Mashat met with Ms. Malinne Blomberg, Deputy Director General of AfDB for North Africa, Ms. Nadia Fettah, Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance, and Mr. Al-Amine Osman, Cameroonian Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development. These discussions underscored Egypt’s commitment to fostering strong relationships with multilateral and bilateral partners.

Dr. Al-Mashat’s engagements at the AfDB meetings align with Egypt’s national development vision, focusing on enhancing cooperation with international partners. The Ministry of International Cooperation aims to align these partnerships with Egypt's strategic priorities, particularly in green energy, public-private partnerships, and capacity building.

The discussions reinforced the importance of the green hydrogen industry, with Dr. Al-Mashat reviewing Egypt’s efforts to expand production. Collaboration with the European Union and ALSF was highlighted to provide technical support for Egypt's green hydrogen initiatives.

Looking ahead, the Ministry plans to strengthen cooperation in sectors such as water, food, energy, and sustainable transport. Enhanced technical cooperation with ALSF and other development partners is critical to achieving these goals.

Established in 2008 and hosted by the AfDB, ALSF provides African governments with legal and technical support for complex commercial transactions, litigation, public-private partnerships, and sovereign financing.

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat’s active participation in the AfDB Annual Meetings underscores Egypt’s commitment to international cooperation and sustainable development. Her meetings with global leaders and institutions aim to drive forward Egypt's development agenda, reinforcing its position as a key player in regional and global economic progress.