Faith Nyasuguta
Egypt is making fresh moves to deepen its footprint in West Africa, with some of its wealthiest business leaders and top diplomats reaching out directly to Burkina Faso’s revolutionary leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore.
Earlier this week, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty touched down in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital, bearing a personal letter from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The letter, according to officials, highlighted Egypt’s commitment to strengthening peace, security, and partnerships across the African continent – and specifically signaled Cairo’s readiness to deepen ties with the young, military-led government in Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso, one of the Sahel’s most volatile states, has faced repeated coups in recent years as it battles jihadist insurgencies and political instability. Since seizing power in 2022, Captain Traore has become a prominent figure in West Africa’s new wave of revolutionary military leaders – and a symbol for countries pushing back against old political alignments.
Abdelatty’s high-level visit made headlines because he didn’t come alone. He arrived with an influential business delegation of about 30 top executives from Egypt’s leading companies, representing sectors such as construction, energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Many of these industries are vital for Burkina Faso, which urgently needs investment in infrastructure, power, food production and job creation.
Speaking alongside Traore, Abdelatty said Egypt sees huge potential in forging closer economic cooperation. He explained that a major goal of his trip was to connect Egyptian private sector leaders with Burkinab̩ partners Рopening doors for new trade and investment deals.
This is not just about business. The outreach reflects Egypt’s wider ambition to revive its diplomatic clout in Africa. Abdelatty’s stop in Ouagadougou is part of a five-nation West African tour that also includes Nigeria, Niger, Mali and Senegal. At each stop, the message is clear: Egypt wants to position itself as a central player in solving the region’s development and security challenges.
As reported by Middle East Monitor and MedaAfrica, the Egyptian delegation thanked Burkina Faso’s government for backing Egypt’s nominee, Dr. Khaled El-Anany, for the post of Director-General at UNESCO – showing how diplomatic goodwill and business opportunities often go hand in hand.
The timing is also significant. As Russia and China deepen ties with some Sahel states, Egypt’s move signals that Cairo does not want to be left out of Africa’s shifting alliances. With the African Continental Free Trade Area gathering pace, Egyptian firms see untapped markets and new partnerships that could bring growth at home and abroad.
Abdelatty wrapped up his visit by pledging that Egypt will stand by Burkina Faso’s development goals under Traore’s leadership. He called for the countries to build stronger connections “from government to government and business to business.”
For Traore, who has courted non-traditional allies since taking power, the visit shows how West Africa’s new military regimes are reshaping partnerships – welcoming any nation willing to invest without conditions tied to old colonial or Western influence.
In the coming months, the real test will be whether Egyptian companies follow through with projects that deliver jobs, roads, power and growth for ordinary Burkinabe. If they do, Cairo’s “hand of friendship” may pay off – not just for boardrooms in Cairo, but for communities in Ouagadougou too.
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