High-ranking officials from Egypt and South Sudan have held extensive discussions aimed at boosting trade exchange and expanding mutual investment opportunities between the two nations. This agreement is viewed as a strategic move to elevate the historical relationship between the two countries into a more robust economic partnership.
During the consultation, Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Mohamed Farid, and South Sudan’s Minister of Investment, Joseph Mum Majak, agreed to focus primarily on key sectors including agriculture, food industries, energy, and infrastructure development. Minister Farid reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to deepening economic ties with African nations, particularly South Sudan, noting that shared development goals are the cornerstone of this collaboration.
He also briefed the South Sudanese delegation on Egypt’s recent reform measures, specifically the digital transformation and the “one-stop-shop” service system, which has played a vital role in creating a more favorable environment for international investors.
The discussions also highlighted specific investment windows, with a call for Egyptian investors to engage in South Sudan’s agro-processing, juice production, and textile manufacturing industries. Minister Joseph Mum Majak noted that while South Sudan possesses vast natural resources, the country has not yet reached its full economic potential due to gaps in technology and investment.
He expressed South Sudan’s keen interest in adopting Egypt’s successful investment models, explaining that his government is currently working on legislative and institutional reforms to attract foreign capital. Majak revealed that his administration is preparing specific project proposals for Egyptian investors, emphasizing that this partnership is essential for sustainable growth in both nations.
Furthermore, it was noted that The Sovereign Fund of Egypt will play a leading role in supporting joint ventures by providing guarantees, mitigating risks, and encouraging private sector participation.
Egypt also pledged to provide necessary technical assistance to help South Sudan enhance its trade capacity within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This new chapter of cooperation is expected to not only streamline trade activities in East Africa but also significantly strengthen the political and diplomatic ties between the two countries. The report also indicated that the two sides discussed ways to improve logistics, including strengthening direct flights and enhancing land transport connectivity to facilitate smoother trade flows.
