المنتدى الدولى للصحافة والإعلام

Dr. Nermeen Tawfik, an expert on African affairs and General Coordinator of the Pharos Center for African and Strategic Studies, emphasized the great significance of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s visit to the United Republic of Tanzania. She noted that this was not his first visit, as it was preceded by another in 2017, reflecting the Egyptian political leadership’s strong and sustained commitment to African nations, particularly the Nile Basin countries.

Speaking during a televised interview on Extra Live TV, Dr. Tawfik stated that the warm official reception hosted by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan reflected the deep historical ties and strong bilateral relations that unite the two brotherly nations in East Africa.

She explained that trade between Egypt and Tanzania reached approximately US$90 million over the past year. However, she stressed that this figure remains below expectations and does not adequately reflect the true potential and promising opportunities available to both countries.

Dr. Tawfik highlighted the broad scope for expanding cooperation in the near future, particularly in the fields of construction materials, pharmaceutical and medical industries, food processing and agro-industries, as well as chemical and engineering industries, all of which offer significant opportunities for investors.

The African affairs expert further emphasized that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents a golden opportunity to boost trade and joint investment between Egypt, Tanzania, and the rest of the African continent.

She called for building upon the existing coordination between the two countries and aligning their visions and positions within the African Union on continental issues, particularly by supporting the implementation of the AfCFTA and working collectively to overcome developmental and economic challenges. Such efforts, she said, would contribute to improving the well-being of African peoples and advancing the goal of regional integration.

Dr. Tawfik also noted that President El-Sisi’s African engagements are not limited to the Nile Basin countries but also extend to West and Southern Africa, underscoring Egypt’s comprehensive vision of strengthening relations across the continent based on shared interests and mutual benefit.

She concluded by pointing out that Tanzania enjoys abundant water resources, vast arable land, and important energy projects, making the future of Egyptian-Tanzanian relations highly promising and opening genuine opportunities to deepen cooperation in livestock imports, diversified trade, and other strategic sectors.