President El-Sisi's Speech at Plenary Session of 3rd Russia-Africa Summit

" In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"

Your Excellency President Vladimir Putin,

President of the Russian Federation,

Your Excellency President Évariste Ndayishimiye

President of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the African Union,

Your Excellencies

Heads of State and Government,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I express my deepest appreciation to His Excellency President Vladimir Putin, and to the government and people of the Russian Federation, for hosting the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit. I would also like to seize this opportunity to commend the wise leadership of my brother, President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Chairperson of the African Union.

Your Excellencies,

Our summit today builds upon the momentum generated by the first summit held in Sochi in 2019, co-chaired by Egypt and Russia, and the subsequent second ministerial meeting held in Cairo in December 2025. This summit allows us to move beyond merely assessing what has been achieved, toward formulating a more ambitious and effective operational vision for the future of our partnership based on respect for African priorities, the realization of mutual interests, and the translation of political understanding into tangible projects.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Egypt perceives the Russia-Africa partnership as a framework for expanding the horizons of international cooperation—one that enables the economies of our African continent to transition from exporting raw materials to building diversified production bases. In this regard, the cooperation between Egypt and Russia serves as a successful model of cooperation between Russia and the African continent. The comprehensive strategic partnership between Egypt and Russia—along with its major projects, most notably the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant and the Russian Industrial Zone within the Suez Canal Economic Zone—provides a solid foundation for expanding collaboration in the fields of energy, industry, and investment, both in Egypt and across Africa.

Your Excellencies,

Against this backdrop, Egypt’s vision for development in Africa is anchored in the following five pillars:

First: Supporting the establishment of strategic corridors and logistics zones.

Second: Increasing intra-African trade.

Third: Strengthening cooperation in the energy sector and electrical interconnection.

Fourth: Achieving water and food security, and supporting agricultural development.

Fifth: Enhancing cooperation in the fields of telecommunications, information technology, and artificial intelligence.

These pillars stem from Egypt’s firm belief that its own future is inextricably linked to the future of our African continent, and that achieving sustainable development requires the integration of African efforts and the strengthening of African ownership over development priorities.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Sustainable development cannot be achieved on a broader scale without a more equitable and representative international system; a system that ensures that international institutions truly reflect multilateralism within the international system.

In this vein, the voice of our African continent must be present and influential in the formulation of major international decisions, particularly within international institutions and the UN Security Council, which requires reform in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.

Your Excellencies,

Africa’s security and stability remain a fundamental prerequisite for realizing the aspirations of its peoples. In this regard, we are deeply concerned by the escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa. We reject any threats that violate the sovereignty of the region’s states or interfere in their internal affairs, as well as any actions that seek to exploit regional vulnerabilities to militarize the Red Sea or impose a military presence by non-littoral states along its coasts.

Furthermore, Egypt categorically rejects any attempts to undermine the unity of Sudan, or to compromise its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national institutions. We call for a consolidation of efforts to end the war and to support a political process that leads to a Sudanese-led, Sudanese-owned dialogue.

Your Excellencies,

As Egypt faces severe water scarcity and relies primarily on the Nile River, it attaches particular importance to enhancing cooperation in the governance of transboundary rivers, in accordance with the principles of international law, mainly not causing harm, prior notification, consultation, and consensus.

Transboundary waters, in particular, must serve as a bridge for cooperation and mutual understanding among peoples, rather than a source of tension or conflict. This remains Egypt’s consistent policy in its engagement with its brothers in the Nile Basin, and within the framework of the Africa Water Vision 2063.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The success of the Russia-Africa partnership is measured by our ability to translate political and economic understandings into tangible outcomes and sustainable projects.

We welcome the partnership’s action plan for 2027–2029, which serves as a framework for strengthening the strategic partnership between Russia and African nations and for developing areas of joint cooperation.

In conclusion, I reiterate my appreciation for His Excellency President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation for hosting this significant summit. I wish the proceedings all success in realizing the aspirations of our peoples for a more secure, equitable, and prosperous future.

Thank you very much.

May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.