Focus Africa Trade and Investment Forum launched on Tuesday in Cairo, drawing top-level African policymakers, diplomats, and private sector leaders to chart a path for unlocking investment and trade opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

 

Opening the forum, Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, called for greater self-reliance across the continent, urging African nations to strengthen internal trade and investment flows amid growing global protectionism.

 

“Globalization is being redefined, and Africa must respond by integrating its markets and leveraging its own resources to fuel sustainable growth,” Oramah said. 

 

He warned that the current global trade environment, shaped in part by past U.S. protectionist policies, risks increasing product dumping into African markets, threatening local industries.

 

Despite notable gains—including a jump in intra-African trade by 600% between 1995 and 2020—Oramah noted the continent still only accounts for 4.2% of global trade. Foreign direct investment, though having grown 18-fold since 1990, has stagnated in recent years.

 

In her address, Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Rania Al-Mashat, emphasized the importance of the private sector in achieving inclusive growth. “Private investments now represent 63% of Egypt’s total investments. We are working to position Egypt as a key hub for trade and manufacturing across Africa,” she said.

 

The Minister announced the launch of the Hub for Advisory, Finance & Investment for Enterprises (HAFIZ), a digital platform offering over 90 financial and advisory tools to support SMEs and connect them with regional tenders and growth opportunities.

 

Egypt, she added, aims to attract $60 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) and reach $145 billion in annual exports by 2030.

 

Representing the African diplomatic community, Mohamadou Labarang, Dean of the African Ambassadors’ Group in Cairo, called for deeper engagement between African and Middle Eastern business communities.

 

“The AfCFTA is not just a document—it is a catalyst for African industrialization and economic transformation,” he said. “Africa is open for business, and we invite investors to be part of this next chapter.”

 

Held on April 15–16, the forum continues with panel discussions and B2B sessions focused on key sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, and digital trade.