Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations, Egypt and Japan signed 12 agreements and memoranda of understanding on Monday, covering key sectors such as education, renewable energy, industrial development, tourism, and advanced technology. The wide-ranging deals signal both countries’ shared commitment to expanding trade and investment cooperation amid global economic shifts.
The agreements were finalized during the Egypt-Japan Investment Forum, held in Tokyo, and attended by Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, alongside senior ministers and Japanese counterparts. The forum brought together high-level officials and private sector leaders from both nations, reflecting the strategic importance both governments attach to their growing partnership.
Comprehensive Cooperation Across Sectors
Among the education-focused deals was a partnership with Casio to train primary school mathematics teachers, and another with Sprix aimed at developing mathematics and IT curricula based on the Japanese model. Yamaha Corporation also signed an agreement to introduce music education in 100 Egyptian schools, including teacher training and the provision of musical instruments.
In a broader effort to enhance educational collaboration, Egypt’s Ministry of Education and Technical Education signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT). The agreement focuses on promoting the “Tokkatsu” model—Japan’s holistic approach to education—and enhancing technical and vocational training in Egypt.
The energy sector also featured prominently in the forum. The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) signed agreements with Japanese conglomerate Itochu and Egypt’s Orascom Construction to develop green ammonia bunkering facilities, aiming to position Egypt as a regional hub for clean maritime fuel. Another partnership was established with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to promote cooperation in green hydrogen development, reinforcing Egypt’s growing role in the global energy transition.
Industrial Development and Localization
The forum also yielded several industrial cooperation agreements. A major initiative was launched between the Arab Group and various Japanese companies to enhance international research and development, product design, and quality control. Separately, Japanese firms Kageto and Onkyo agreed to manufacture audio-visual products in Egypt, boosting local production capabilities and technological transfer.
In the automotive sector, Toyota Tsusho signed a landmark agreement with Egyptian authorities to localize car manufacturing. The deal is expected to support Egypt’s goal of increasing domestic industrial output and reducing dependency on imports. Additionally, Toyota Tsusho signed a memorandum of understanding with the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) to support scholarships and educational initiatives, strengthening human capital development in science and engineering.
Tourism and Hospitality Investment
Egypt is also seeking to enhance its tourism and service industries. Waterway Development partnered with the Tokyo Hotels Group to provide specialized hospitality training programs aimed at improving service standards. Meanwhile, Titan Capital and Promotours signed a cooperation agreement focused on developing leisure and entertainment ventures.
According to a statement from the Egyptian cabinet, these agreements align with Cairo’s broader strategy to attract more Japanese investment, expand local manufacturing with high value-added output, and open new export channels to regional and global markets.
A High-Level Diplomatic Engagement
The investment forum was held on the sidelines of Prime Minister Madbouly’s official visit to Japan, where he is representing President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), hosted in Yokohama.
Established by Japan in 1993 in partnership with the United Nations, World Bank, and African Union, TICAD is a major international platform for advancing development cooperation with Africa. The summit, held every three years since 2016, brings together global leaders, policy-makers, and private sector representatives to explore opportunities for African development through international collaboration.
The last summit, TICAD 8, was held in Tunisia in 2022, following TICAD 7 in Yokohama in 2019, which drew more than 10,000 participants, including 42 African heads of state.
Madbouly’s participation in TICAD 9 and the accompanying bilateral engagements signal Egypt’s continued pursuit of diversified global partnerships, particularly with key Asian economies such as Japan. The agreements signed this week are expected to translate into concrete economic benefits and long-term cooperation between the two nations.
