Egypt Hosts Russia–Africa Partnership Forum

Egypt on Saturday hosted the second ministerial conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum in Cairo, with the participation of more than 50 African countries, alongside a strong ministerial-level presence and representatives of several regional organizations. The event marked the second edition of the forum, underscoring Cairo’s growing diplomatic role as a bridge between Africa and major international partners.

The conference focused on strengthening economic, trade, and investment cooperation, supporting peace and security, and advancing sustainable development across the African continent. It builds on the momentum established during the first ministerial conference held in Sochi in November 2024, which laid the groundwork for deeper political dialogue between Russia and African states.

The opening plenary session brought together Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. Abdel Aaty described the forum as a practical step toward reinforcing continental and international cooperation, highlighting its importance in supporting Africa’s Agenda 2063 for long-term development and integration.

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf praised the Russia–Africa partnership, describing it as a key pillar in building a more just and balanced international order based on equality among nations and respect for multilateralism. He stressed that political alignment between Russia and African countries plays a vital role in supporting just causes and strengthening cooperation in combating extremism and terrorism, as well as promoting regional and international peace.

On the sidelines of the forum, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received Sergey Lavrov, in the presence of senior Egyptian officials. El-Sisi asked Lavrov to convey his greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin, reaffirming Egypt’s appreciation for the steady growth of strategic relations with Russia across political, economic, and commercial fields.

El-Sisi highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation on major projects, including the Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, alongside other strategic cooperation files. Lavrov, in turn, conveyed Putin’s greetings and expressed Moscow’s interest in building on the understandings reached during El-Sisi’s visit to Moscow in May 2025.

Discussions also covered key regional and international issues, including Gaza, Sudan, and Libya, with an emphasis on halting conflicts, preserving state sovereignty, and safeguarding territorial integrity. The talks addressed the Ukraine crisis as well, with El-Sisi reaffirming Egypt’s support for political solutions and its readiness to contribute to international efforts aimed at resolving the conflict peacefully.

During his meeting with participating delegations, El-Sisi stressed that Egypt has no dispute with Ethiopia, reiterating that Cairo’s sole demand is the protection of its water rights and the conclusion of a legally binding agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. He emphasized Egypt’s long-standing policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of states and its commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue rather than military means.

The Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, launched in 2019, has hosted two summits in Sochi in 2019 and St. Petersburg in 2023, in addition to the first ministerial conference in November 2024. The forum has emerged as a key platform for expanding cooperation in investment, infrastructure, energy, and technology, while supporting Africa’s sustainable development goals and reinforcing regional and international stability.