Video

Africa made big promises at Alamein — now the clock is ticking

African leaders set deadlines for new investment and financing initiatives following three days of meetings at the Alamein Africa Forum in Egypt’s New Alamein.

The commitments include establishing an Alamein Investment Platform by February 2027 to bring together private capital pledges and investment commitments. The platform is expected to publish the total value of its project portfolio at each future edition of the forum.

AUDA-NEPAD, the African Union’s development agency, has been tasked with preparing a pipeline of investment-ready projects, setting a timetable and tracking how many reach financial close—the stage when financing agreements are completed.

A continental facility supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and African value chains is also planned for launch by the African Union’s mid-year summit in 2027. It is expected to report the number of businesses supported and jobs created, including opportunities for young people and women.

Within 18 months, leaders aim to have at least one African-led financing mechanism operating to reduce investment risks and combine public and private funding.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Six countries account for three-quarters of Europe’s unicorn startups

Six countries account for three-quarters of Europe’s unicorn startups

The meetings also produced cooperation agreements. Egypt and South Africa agreed on an automotive components manufacturing initiative and launched a bilateral business council. Egypt signed agreements with Equatorial Guinea covering agriculture, culture, tourism and aquaculture, alongside pharmaceutical and medical products cooperation with Chad.

The wider African Union meeting, which concluded on October 4, called for faster implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and stronger connections between supply chains, logistics corridors, transport and energy networks.

The deadlines establish concrete milestones against which progress can be assessed: financing secured, projects delivered, businesses supported and jobs created.

This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.