Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi praised African Development Bank Group’s President Dr Akinwumi Adesina for his visionary leadership during an official meeting held in Cairo on 11 May, highlighting the Bank’s pivotal role in advancing critical investments across Africa over the past decade.
During the meeting, the leaders outlined an enhanced cooperation framework focusing on renewable energy, infrastructure development, and private sector growth, while emphasizing job creation, food and water security and local manufacturing as key priorities.
President El-Sisi commended the African Development Bank’s partnership with Egypt and Dr Adesina’s leadership which, he observed, had transformed the Bank into a catalyst for sustainable growth across the continent. President El-Sisi said his country remains committed to strengthening the partnership.
The meeting highlighted the implementation progress of Egypt’s Nexus of Water, Food and Energy (NWFE) platform—the country’s integrated national program supporting its climate commitments. The African Development Bank has emerged as a leading partner in mobilizing financing and technical support for this initiative particularly under the water pillar of the program where it has approved $ 800,000 of grants for the preparation of the technical studies related to five desalination plants.
From left to right: Mohamed El Azizi, Director General for North Africa, African Development Bank; Ambassador Jalel Trabelsi, Special Envoy of the President of the African Development Bank for the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf Region; Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group Center: H.E. Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Right: Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation; Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, Spokesman for the Presidency.
Adesina expressed gratitude for Egypt’s steadfast support, noting its strategic importance as the Bank’s second-largest Regional Member Country and third-largest shareholder overall.
“Egypt’s leadership role in both regional development and within our institution exemplifies the partnership approach driving Africa’s transformation agenda,” said Adesina. “Our collaboration on initiatives like NWFE demonstrates how targeted investments can simultaneously address climate challenges, enhance food security, and drive economic growth.”
Building on its support for Egypt’s green transition, the African Development Bank helped the country become the first in Africa to issue a Green Panda Bond. With a partial credit guarantee from the Bank, Egypt accessed China’s bond market on favorable terms to fund climate-resilient infrastructure and clean transport projects. The bond highlights Egypt’s leadership in green finance and the Bank’s commitment to innovative financial tools that drive sustainable development. It complements major projects like the 1.1 GW Suez Wind Farm and the 200 MW Kom Ombo Solar PV Project, supporting Egypt’s goal of sourcing 42% of its energy from renewables by 2030.
The African Development Bank’s investment in Egypt spans over five decades, with cumulative commitments exceeding $8.2 billion across transformative and strategic sectors.
Today, the Bank’s active portfolio amounts to $ 2.050 billion and comprises 28 operations. Its 2025 lending program totals $746 million and includes four operations: an employment and entrepreneurship program targeting the nation’s youth; some biosimilar treatments that promise to make cancer and autoimmune therapies accessible to millions; an innovative financial guarantee mechanism allowing Egypt to attract competitive funding for sustainable projects while extending its debt profile; and a cutting-edge solar facility paired with next-generation battery storage that will reshape the country’s energy landscape.
Source African Development Bank Group
