Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in New Alamein on October 4, 2026, as the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, African cooperation, economic development and the management of shared water resources.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the eighth African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, which brought together African leaders to address continental integration, development priorities and coordination between the African Union and regional economic communities.
PresidentvEl-Sisi welcomed Faye on his first visit to Egypt and congratulated him on Senegal’s assumption of the chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States. The Egyptian president praised Senegal’s contribution to African cooperation and highlighted the importance Cairo attaches to its historical and close relationship with Dakar.
The talks reflected an effort by both governments to strengthen relations beyond political coordination. Egypt and Senegal are seeking to expand cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, irrigation, land reclamation, energy, trade and investment, with officials describing the two countries as important partners in advancing African development.
PresidentvEl-Sisi said Egypt was prepared to support the implementation of Senegal’s five-year development plan and its long-term Vision Senegal 2050 agenda. Egyptian expertise could be made available in a number of sectors, including major infrastructure projects, agricultural production, irrigation networks, land reclamation and energy development.
The proposal comes as Senegal works to implement an ambitious national transformation program focused on economic sovereignty, industrial development, food security, energy and improvements to public services. For Egypt, the initiative offers an opportunity to share experience gained through large-scale infrastructure and agricultural projects while encouraging Egyptian companies to explore new markets in West Africa.
Trade was another important subject discussed by the two presidents. PresidentvEl-Sisi called for stronger commercial exchanges between Egypt and Senegal and urged the private sector in both countries to establish new investment partnerships. Such partnerships, officials said, could support development while creating opportunities for businesses in construction, energy, agricultural technology, transport and manufacturing.
The Senegalese President Faye expressed his country’s interest in developing closer relations with Egypt in both bilateral and continental frameworks. He also voiced support for expanding economic and cultural cooperation and continuing consultations on African and regional issues.
Both countries are founding members of the African Union Development Agency, widely known as AUDA-NEPAD. Their shared role in the institution provides an additional platform for coordinating efforts on infrastructure, food security, industrialization and economic integration.
President Faye praised the contribution of Egypt and Senegal to development efforts across Africa. He also emphasized the need for continued coordination on peace, stability and development, particularly as African governments confront armed conflicts, economic pressures, food insecurity and the effects of climate change.
The two presidents also exchanged views on regional crises and stressed the importance of comprehensive peaceful solutions. They said efforts to resolve conflicts should address the underlying causes of instability while protecting the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
Water security formed a particularly significant part of the meeting. President Faye said Senegal shared Egypt’s position on the Nile and supported the wise management of shared water resources in accordance with relevant international law.
The Senegalese president pointed to the Senegal River Basin Development Organization as a possible model for cooperation on transboundary water resources. The organization brings together countries that share the Senegal River and is based on consultation, dialogue and joint management. Its approach is intended to prevent harm among member states while supporting water security, agriculture, energy production and sustainable development.
The reference to the Senegal River model comes as Egypt continues to call for cooperation, consultation and respect for international rules in the management of the Nile. Cairo has repeatedly argued that unilateral measures involving shared waterways can threaten regional stability and that agreements concerning transboundary rivers should protect the interests of all states.
For Senegal, the discussion also highlighted the country’s interest in playing a constructive role in African diplomacy. Its position on shared water resources could strengthen dialogue between countries facing similar challenges, particularly as population growth, climate change and increasing demand for agriculture place greater pressure on rivers and groundwater.
President Faye’s visit also coincided with the Alamein Africa Forum, which focused on trade, investment and economic integration. The forum brought together African political leaders, business executives and development institutions to discuss ways to increase investment and strengthen economic links across the continent.
The meeting between President El-Sisi and President Faye therefore combined immediate diplomatic concerns with a broader development agenda. Egypt is seeking to deepen its engagement in West Africa, while Senegal is looking for international partnerships to support its national transformation plans.
The success of the discussions will depend on whether political commitments are followed by specific agreements, increased trade and private-sector projects. Still, the talks demonstrated that Cairo and Dakar view their relationship as part of a wider effort to promote African self-reliance, economic integration and peaceful cooperation over shared resources.
