Egypt Daily News – Egyptian Foreign Minister and Minister of Emigration Badr Abdel Aaty delivered a written message from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Nigerien President General Abdourahamane Tiani on Wednesday, July 23, during an official visit to Niamey, Niger’s capital. The message reaffirmed the depth of historical and fraternal ties between Egypt and Niger and underscored Cairo’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
During the high-level meeting, Abdel Aaty conveyed President El-Sisi’s warm regards to President Tiani and emphasized Egypt’s determination to expand its partnership with Niger. The visit, described by Egyptian officials as a step toward consolidating relations, comes amid growing regional challenges in the Sahel and a renewed push by Cairo to deepen its influence in sub-Saharan Africa.
Abdel Aaty noted Egypt’s appreciation for the progress made in bilateral relations and stressed the importance of building on recent momentum to advance shared interests and promote development for both nations. “This visit is a continuation of Egypt’s unwavering support for its Nigerien brothers, anchored in longstanding historical ties,” he said.
Expanding Economic Horizons
As part of the visit, Minister Abdel Aaty led a high-level delegation of 30 Egyptian business leaders and representatives from major public and private sector companies. The delegation participated in the inaugural Egypt-Niger Business Forum, an initiative aimed at fostering closer economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries.
The forum focused on key sectors including energy, infrastructure, construction, and mining—areas viewed as strategic priorities for Niger’s development. Abdel Aaty expressed hope that the event would serve as a springboard for a new phase of economic partnership and open fresh opportunities for joint ventures.
Security and Counterterrorism at the Forefront
Amid growing instability in the Sahel region, Abdel Aaty reiterated Egypt’s view of Niger’s stability as a matter of strategic importance to Egyptian national security. He described the Sahel as a natural extension of Egypt’s southern neighborhood and highlighted the urgent need to bolster security cooperation in light of rising terrorist threats and the proliferation of armed groups across the continent.
The two sides discussed ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and extremist ideologies. Abdel Aaty highlighted the critical role of Al-Azhar, Egypt’s top Islamic institution, in promoting moderate Islam and countering radical narratives. He cited programs involving the training of Nigerien imams and preachers, the dispatch of religious scholars, and the provision of scholarships for Nigerien students at Al-Azhar University.
He also noted the contributions of Egypt’s Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) and the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD), which provide training and capacity-building support to Nigerien officials in various priority sectors.
Regional Challenges and Shared Concerns
The meeting also addressed broader regional developments, particularly the volatile security landscape in the Sahel and West Africa. Discussions included the spread of terrorist networks and armed groups, as well as the complex dynamics in neighboring countries that continue to affect regional stability.
President Tiani expressed gratitude for Egypt’s continued support and conveyed his greetings to President El-Sisi. He lauded Egypt’s constructive role on both regional and international fronts and praised Al-Azhar’s educational and cultural contributions in Niger. Tiani reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening ties with Egypt and welcomed further collaboration in addressing the dual challenges of security and development.
A Strategic Partnership in the Making
The visit marks a significant step in Egypt’s broader strategy to re-engage with African nations through diplomacy, trade, and development partnerships. With Cairo positioning itself as a key regional player in both North and Sub-Saharan Africa, its deepening relationship with Niamey is seen as part of a broader realignment in response to shifting geopolitical and security dynamics on the continent.
Both countries signaled a shared commitment to continue coordinating on matters of mutual interest and to work together toward a more secure and prosperous African future.
