Cairo: Egypt is set to host the Nile Basin States summit next year, following an invitation extended by the Egyptian government to Uganda. Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development on Saturday, marking a significant step in regional cooperation.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the summit serves as the highest decision-making forum under the Nile Basin Initiative and is crucial for addressing political issues and coordinating effective management of the basin’s water resources. The gathering is expected to see the participation of eleven heads of state from the Nile Basin countries, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Eritrea, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty officially invited Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni during a meeting in Kampala on Thursday. Abdelatty emphasized the importance of the summit for strengthening collaboration, expressing confidence in Uganda’s
leadership to mediate pressing Nile water issues.
President Museveni, in response, highlighted the need for regional dialogue to secure the future of the Nile Basin through cooperation and sustainable development. Museveni stated that the issue is not water scarcity but ideological differences, underscoring the importance of the upcoming summit.
Abdelatty provided insights into Egypt’s water resource management, revealing significant investments in water recycling to meet national demands. Egypt recycles water four times to bridge a 40 percent deficit between its annual Nile water inflow and consumption, investing over $15 billion in the process.
The upcoming summit follows the first Nile Basin States Summit hosted by Uganda in 2017, which focused on enhancing inter-cooperation in various development fields. Abdelatty also noted Egypt’s eagerness to expand bilateral relations with Uganda across sectors such as infrastructure, food processing, and pharmaceuticals.
Efforts to strengthen collaboration includ
e the establishment of a joint ministerial committee and a new cooperation mechanism approved by Egypt’s cabinet. This mechanism includes export and investment guarantees amounting to $600 million, with a focus on Uganda and other Equatorial Nile Basin countries.
Additionally, Egypt has launched a financial mechanism, funded with an initial $100 million, to support infrastructure and water projects across the region. Abdelatty described this as a transformative initiative for advancing developmental projects and ensuring sustainable development.
Egypt is also exploring opportunities in local manufacturing, particularly in pharmaceuticals, with the aim of positioning Uganda as a regional health hub. Furthermore, potential collaborations in renewable energy and power generation are being considered, building on existing operations like the 4-megawatt power station in Uganda.