African leaders call for capital mobilisation, regional integration to drive growth

• at inaugural Alamein Africa Forum in Egypt

H.E. Abdel Fattah ElSisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, officially launched the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum bringing together African heads of state, investors, business leaders and financial institutions to advance partnerships that can drive growth across the continent.

Over the two-day Forum, discussions focused on turning Africa’s resources, entrepreneurial talent, and growing markets into productive investment, stronger industries, and employment. Delegates called for greater African ownership of the continent’s economic future, supported by economic diplomacy, regional cooperation, and access to finance.

Convened by Egypt alongside the African Union, the African Union Development Agency–NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) and the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Forum connected political leadership with business expertise through high-level discussions, sector panels, bilateral meetings, an exhibition and a dedicated Startup Arena.

The meeting brought together some of the continent’s most prominent private-sector leaders, reflecting the Forum’s focus on putting business at the heart of Africa’s growth agenda.

Participants included Mr. Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited; Mr. Hichem Elloumi, Chairman and CEO of COFICAB Group; Mr. Mohamed El Kettani, CEO of Attijariwafa Bank; Dr. Corneille Karekezi, Group Managing Director and CEO, AfricaRe; Mr. Selim Basak, Co-founder and Head of Origination, GemCorp; Mr. Agostinho Kapaia, Chairman and CEO, Opaia Group and Mr. Ahmed Ezz, Chairman of Ezz Steel.

African enterprise, capital, and ownership

The discussions examined how investment can give Africa greater productive capacity and resilience. Mr. Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, argued that growth should be assessed through the lasting economic benefits it creates:

“Growth does not tell us enough. We should ask: what are we growing, how many productive jobs does it generate, and how much economic resilience does it leave behind?”

Building African industries, processing resources locally, and producing higher-value goods would help reduce dependence on imported fuel, medicines, and technology. Dangote also highlighted how fragmented regulations, standards, and border procedures constrain businesses seeking to operate at scale.

Alongside competitive enterprises, Africa needs financial institutions capable of supporting its development priorities. Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Afreximbank, connected that ambition with African ownership and collective action.