Libya Emerges as Egypt’s Largest African Export Market with $1.5 Billion in Imports

Libya retained its position as the largest African importer of Egyptian goods in 2025, with imports totaling $1.5 billion, according to a new report highlighting the expanding trade ties between Egypt and countries across the African continent.

The report, issued by Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) on the occasion of Africa Day celebrations, revealed that Algeria ranked second among African destinations for Egyptian exports with $1.2 billion in imports, followed by Morocco at $1.1 billion and Sudan at approximately $957.1 million.

The figures underscore Egypt’s growing commercial integration within Africa as Cairo intensifies efforts to strengthen economic partnerships and expand regional trade influence across the continent.

According to the report, total trade exchange between Egypt and member states of the African Union reached approximately $9.6 billion in 2025, compared to $9.9 billion in 2024. Egyptian exports to African Union countries accounted for $7.6 billion during the year, slightly down from $7.8 billion recorded in the previous year.

Tunisia ranked among the leading importers of Egyptian products with imports valued at $431.3 million, followed by Kenya at $330.6 million, Nigeria at $213.1 million, Côte d’Ivoire at $179.5 million, South Africa at $162.9 million, and Somalia at roughly $134.8 million.

The report indicated that Egypt’s top exports to African markets in 2025 included electrical machinery and appliances valued at $633.6 million, plastics and plastic products worth $544.4 million, and iron and steel products totaling approximately $528.3 million.

Food products, fruits and vegetables, construction materials, and processed goods also represented a substantial share of Egyptian exports to African nations, reflecting the diversification of Cairo’s export portfolio across the continent.

On the import side, Egypt’s purchases from African Union countries stood at nearly $2 billion in 2025, compared with $2.1 billion in 2024. The Democratic Republic of Congo emerged as the largest African exporter to Egypt with shipments valued at $447.4 million, followed by Sudan, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa.

The CAPMAS report also highlighted the role of remittances and investment flows in strengthening Egypt’s economic links with Africa. Remittances sent home by Egyptians working in African Union countries reached $191 million during the 2024/2025 fiscal year, while remittances from African workers residing in Egypt totaled approximately $26.2 million over the same period.

In terms of investment activity, African Union investments in Egypt amounted to $343 million during fiscal year 2024/2025, while Egyptian investments across African Union countries reached approximately $756 million.

The latest figures reflect Egypt’s broader strategy to deepen economic cooperation with African partners through trade expansion, infrastructure projects, and regional investment initiatives amid increasing competition for influence within the continent’s rapidly evolving markets.