Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, on Tuesday September 1, 2026, announced that relations between Egypt and Burkina Faso have gained substantial momentum recently. This development underscores the fraternal ties between the two countries and their joint political will to enhance bilateral relations and promote joint business ventures.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Abdelatty made these remarks during a joint press conference with Burkina Faso's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation Karamoko Jean Marie Traore. The conference followed discussions at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Egypt's New Capital. Abdelatty highlighted that the visit of his Burkinabe counterpart and delegation to Cairo exemplifies the depth of the relationship between the two nations.
During the talks, Abdelatty emphasized the reinforced collaboration between Egypt and Burkina Faso in numerous fields, aligning with directives from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Burkina Faso President Captain Ibrahim Traore. He reiterated Egypt's support for Sahel states, including Burkina Faso, in their efforts against terrorism. Additionally, both nations condemned the recent failed coup attempt in Niger.
The foreign minister assured that Egypt, under President El-Sisi's guidance, is committed to providing all necessary support to the Sahel countries in combating terrorism and restoring stability. Discussions also touched on Egypt's willingness to support Burkina Faso's counterterrorism efforts through training and capacity-building programs. Abdelatty stressed that terrorism is a global issue requiring collective international cooperation.
Furthermore, the talks addressed Egypt's readiness to offer training for young imams from Burkina Faso and other Sahel countries through Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, which is also prepared to welcome students from the region for education in Egypt. The upcoming Aswan Forum, slated for November, was another topic of discussion, with an invitation extended to Traore to participate.
Economic and investment cooperation was a key focus, with a business forum taking place to explore investment opportunities and foster partnerships between Egypt and Burkina Faso's private sectors. Abdelatty recalled his previous visit to the Sahel region with Egyptian business leaders and invited Burkinabe business figures to the El Alamein Business Forum in October. This forum will coincide with the African Union summit and aims to address Africa's economic challenges.
The Burkinabe foreign minister expressed gratitude for the invitation to Egypt and acknowledged the close cooperation between the two nations. He underscored the importance of the economic partnership and conveyed appreciation from the Burkinabe president to President El-Sisi for his peace-promoting efforts.
In response to inquiries about investment outcomes, Abdelatty mentioned that discussions had identified specific projects in the food, energy, and pharmaceutical sectors. The Burkinabe minister's visit to Egypt Pharmaceutical City was also highlighted as part of exploring potential collaborations in pharmaceutical manufacturing and vaccine production.
The Burkinabe foreign minister emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism, integrating security, economic, and cultural strategies. He referenced the Confederation established in 2024 with Mali and Niger to tackle terrorism collaboratively.
Abdelatty affirmed Africa's significance in Egyptian foreign policy and announced plans for future tours across Central, West, and Southern Africa to bolster Egypt's presence on the continent. New mechanisms, including an investment entity and a $100 million financing mechanism, are being developed to support Egyptian investments in Africa, focusing on manufacturing, agriculture, and education.
The Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development will continue providing training, capacity-building, and medical aid across Africa, emphasizing the importance of stability in the Sahel region. The Burkinabe minister praised the longstanding and fruitful cooperation between the two countries, highlighting their diplomatic relations dating back to 1960.