Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem affirmed Egypt’s keenness to enhance the level of economic and industrial relations with South Africa, noting that the two countries have strong ties and a history of economic cooperation based on achieving mutual interests. He said the Ministry of Industry seeks to strengthen industrial integration between the two countries by making optimal use of available resources and capabilities, contributing to the establishment of joint projects, increasing added value, and enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian and South African products.
The remarks came during the minister’s meeting on Monday, October 5, 2026, with South African Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Mpho Parks Tau to discuss ways of strengthening industrial integration between Egypt and South Africa and building on the outcomes of the African Automotive Investment Forum, in support of establishing joint industrial and investment partnerships between the two countries.
Hashem said the key areas of potential cooperation between the two countries include pharmaceuticals, automotive manufacturing and its related feeder industries, agro-processing, metal industries, infrastructure, and the establishment of logistics zones. He stressed that the Ministry of Industry aims to attract automotive manufacturers and related feeder industries to establish production facilities in Egypt, meeting domestic market needs while supporting the expansion of exports to foreign markets.
He noted that Egypt has taken serious steps to localize and deepen domestic manufacturing of automotive components and attract major global companies to inject new investments, particularly in automotive tires and electric vehicle batteries. He also pointed to the promising opportunities for cooperation between Egypt and South Africa in testing and certifying vehicles and their components, which would facilitate trade and strengthen industrial integration between Egypt and African markets, as well as support the access of products and components manufactured in both countries to markets across the continent.
The minister also discussed the possibility of establishing joint projects between the two countries in iron and steel and manganese alloys, which are key inputs for the iron and steel and heavy industries. He noted that such projects could help maximize the use of the mineral resources available in both countries and increase the added value of raw materials, in line with the objectives of Egypt’s industrial strategy.
For his part, the South African minister of trade affirmed his country’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with Egypt in the automotive industry and its components, and to explore various areas where genuine industrial and investment partnerships could be established to benefit the economies of both countries.
He noted that the African Automotive Investment Forum, recently hosted by the city of El Alamein, witnessed the signing of several important agreements that represent a practical step toward strengthening industrial and investment cooperation between Egypt and South Africa.
He explained that among the most prominent agreements was one between Egypt’s El Araby Group and South African company Malben Engineering to establish a joint industrial platform for manufacturing automotive components, in addition to a protocol to launch the Egyptian-South African Business Council.