Cairo, 9 July 2026 – The Egyptian ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Office for North Africa concluded today in Cairo a three-day technical awareness raising workshop under the theme: “Leveraging the AfCFTA for Egyptian Private Sector Expansion.”
More than 80 participants, representing Egyptian Firms, SMEs, Federations, Chambers, Ministries and Administrations along with UN Agencies, took part in the training, which aims to increase Egyptian private sector capacity to identify and seize trade opportunities within the framework of the AfCFTA through a better understanding of its trade protocols, rules of origin, certification procedures, and market access opportunities.
“This agreement presents a significant opportunity to strengthen the presence of Egyptian companies in African markets, building on the extensive experience Egypt has gained in recent years in key sectors such as infrastructure and construction, energy, transportation, agriculture, food industries, pharmaceuticals, and engineering. It also opens new horizons for Egyptian companies to expand, export, and invest across the continent,” said Counselor Mohamed Elhady, Director for Egyptian Economic Affairs and Investment Promotion at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates.
In this context, he highlighted the Hub for Advisory, Finance & Investment for Enterprises (“HAFIZ”), a platform managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates to provide financial and technical support to the private sector. HAFIZ offers more than 90 financial and non-financial services through 40 development partners, giving Egyptian companies access to financing opportunities, advisory services, and capacity-building programs. The platform also supports companies in accessing international and African markets and tracking tenders and development projects, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of the Egyptian private sector and enhancing its ability to benefit from African economic integration.
“Last year, Egypt’s exports to global markets reached approximately USD 50 billion, demonstrating strong and growing performance. However, exports to the rest of Africa stood at just under USD 8 billion, or roughly 15 percent of Egypt’s total exports. These figures provide a clear indication of the scale of opportunity that lies ahead, for Egyptian exporters and for African economic integration more broadly, under the AfCFTA. The private sector sits at the centre of this opportunity and holds the key to unlocking the full benefits of the AfCFTA,” said Caitlyn Carrico, Economic Affairs Officer at the ECA Office for North Africa.
However, “the AfCFTA will only deliver on its promise if African businesses, and in particular the SMEs that form the backbone of our economies, are equipped with the practical knowledge needed to trade under the AfCFTA,” she cautioned.
African countries established the AfCFTA in 2018 to create a single market for goods and services and promote the free movement of businesspersons and investments.
The AfCFTA is currently the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries, bringing together a market of about 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of approximately USD 3 trillion. According to ECA research, AfCFTA implementation could increase intra-African trade by up to 45 percent in 2045 and help African countries move away from commodity-based trade towards higher value-added trade, such as in industrial products, processed foods, and services (ERA2025).
Across Africa, the private sector contributes 80 percent of total production, 90 percent of employment and more than 60 percent of investment. It is therefore well placed to own and drive AfCFTA implementation.
In Egypt there is a significant potential for export growth to the rest of the continent. However, in order to benefit fully from the AfCFTA and increase economic integration with the rest of the continent, the private sector must own and drive the AfCFTA as active partners in shaping how it is implemented on the ground.
“Across the UN system, we recognize that sustainable economic growth requires a vibrant and competitive private sector. Expanding intra-African trade can contribute to creating decent jobs, enhancing productivity, supporting industrial development, empowering women and young entrepreneurs, and building more resilient economies. These objectives are closely aligned with the SDGs and with Egypt's national development priorities. As the United Nations Country Team in Egypt, we remain committed to supporting Egypt's efforts to leverage regional integration as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development,” said Santiago Rodríguez Goicoechea, Economist at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Egypt.
لجنة الأمم المتحدة الاقتصادية لأفريقيا ومصر تُمكّنان القطاع الخاص من الاستفادة من أسواق منطقة التجارة الحرة القارية الأفريقية
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For more information about this workshop, please send an email to filali-ansary@un.org or privatesector@moic.gov.eg