His Excellency President Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, received Dr. Yousrey El Sharkawi, EABA Chairman, at the Presidential Palace in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura. Dr. El Sharkawi led the Egyptian private sector delegation participating in the International Infrastructure Conference, held in Bujumbura from December 5 to 6, with the attendance of 1,000 international companies specializing in construction, investment funds, international banks, and credit institutions.
Egypt, represented by the Egyptian African Businessmen’s Association (EABA) , participated with a large delegation comprising major Egyptian companies in the construction and building sectors. Among these companies were Arab Contractors, Giza Power – Giza Cables, Tabarak Holding, and Orascom, all of which are association members.
During the meeting, Dr. Yousrey El Sharkawi conveyed the greetings of the Egyptian private sector to His Excellency the President and emphasized Egypt’s leadership’s commitment to enhancing the presence of the Egyptian private sector across Africa. He highlighted that the Egyptian government fully supports the participation of Egyptian companies, providing the necessary encouragement for their operations on the continent. He assured the President of the readiness of the private sector and major Egyptian companies to contribute to and secure various infrastructure projects in Burundi.
Dr. El Sharkawi showcased the remarkable achievements of Egypt’s construction and building sector, including its expertise in roads, electricity, and new cities, such as the New Administrative Capital. He affirmed that Egyptian companies possess the capabilities and experience to transfer these skills to African countries, and many of the significant entities present in Burundi are ready to begin operations under the guidance of His Excellency. He further noted that Burundi is a promising nation in many economic sectors.
Dr. El Sharkawi also addressed six key topics across various economic sectors, including energy, medical tourism, opening markets for Egyptian products, and fostering industrial capacity building in Burundi. He stressed the importance of private sector collaboration to explore and overcome challenges, ensuring successful outcomes.
Notably, the Egyptian-African Businessmen Association’s participation reflects intensified Egyptian engagement on the African continent. It strengthens Egypt’s active presence and opens avenues for cooperation with African private sectors. The success of the delegation at the conference was significantly supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Ambassador Dr. Badr Abdel-Aty, and the Egyptian Embassy in Burundi, represented by Ambassador Amira Abdel Rahim and her team.
Dr. El Sharkawi highlighted the association’s well-organized and active efforts, which earned respect and recognition from African leaders and officials. This acknowledgment has further encouraged support for genuine collaborations and partnerships.