MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein hosted a dinner on the sidelines of the Alamein – Africa Business Forum 2026, held in New Alamein, in the presence of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and a number of senior participants in the forum. The gathering reflected the depth of Egyptian-African relations and the importance of direct engagement among political and economic leaders and business figures across the continent.
The dinner featured a warm and friendly atmosphere, with open discussions on the future of African cooperation and opportunities to strengthen economic, trade, and investment relations between Egypt and Nigeria, as well as the importance of advancing partnerships between the private sectors of the two countries and opening up new areas of cooperation.
During the gathering, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed his appreciation for MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein, underscoring the longstanding relationship between them.
Addressing Abou El-Enein, Obasanjo said: “You are a brother and a friend,” expressing his gratitude for the invitation and warm hospitality, and affirming that there are significant opportunities to achieve greater cooperation and partnership between Egypt and Nigeria.
The former Nigerian President stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries at both the governmental and private-sector levels, particularly in the areas of trade and investment, noting that Egyptian-Nigerian relations offer broad potential for further development in the coming period.
Obasanjo also expressed his keenness to maintain closer engagement with Egypt and to visit the country again, affirming his desire to reciprocate the invitation and host Abou El-Enein, in a gesture reflecting the strong personal ties between the two.
For his part, MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein welcomed the former Nigerian President, emphasizing the important role Obasanjo can play in advancing cooperation among African countries, given his extensive experience and longstanding relations with numerous African leaders.
Abou El-Enein said that Obasanjo’s influence and his relations with African leaders could help achieve a great deal, stressing that the African continent possesses enormous potential and vast opportunities, and that the next phase requires turning this potential into tangible projects and partnerships.
Abou El-Enein called for greater use of successful experiences across the continent, noting that Egypt has witnessed significant development in recent years in the fields of industry, tourism, infrastructure, economic zones, and new cities.
He explained that Egypt’s development experience could provide valuable expertise for African countries, while taking into account the particular circumstances and needs of each country. He stressed that Egypt stands ready to work with its fellow African countries to support development efforts and advance common interests.
An African Dialogue Beyond the Forum Halls
The dinner provided an opportunity for dialogue away from the forum’s formal sessions, allowing participants to exchange views on the future of economic cooperation across the continent, the importance of strengthening engagement between governments and the business community, and the need to translate political and diplomatic relations into practical projects, investments, and partnerships.
This comes at a time when African efforts are increasingly focused on advancing economic integration, expanding intra-African trade, and promoting cross-border investment, thereby contributing to the implementation of the objectives of the African Union Agenda 2063.
The meeting between Abou El-Enein and Obasanjo carried particular significance in light of the historic relations between Egypt and Nigeria, the pivotal role played by both countries on the African continent, and the considerable potential for cooperation between their respective private sectors.
The gathering also highlighted the importance of personal relationships among influential figures across the continent as one of the channels through which new avenues for dialogue and cooperation can be opened. It provided an opportunity for the direct exchange of ideas and perspectives, creating new prospects for cooperation and partnership among African countries and supporting efforts to build stronger and broader economic partnerships across the continent.
