Egypt is stepping up efforts to expand its agricultural trade footprint in Africa following high-level discussions with Uganda to open new export opportunities for Egyptian poultry, eggs, and other livestock products.
The talks, held in Cairo between Egypt's Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, and Uganda's Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Kagyigyi Tumwebaze, focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, while removing barriers to agricultural trade between the two countries.
A key outcome of the meeting was the proposal to open the Ugandan market to Egyptian poultry and egg products. Egyptian officials highlighted the country's advances in poultry production, noting that certified production facilities recognised as free from avian influenza under World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards position Egypt to supply high-quality poultry products to regional markets. The two sides also discussed expanding trade in meat, veterinary medicines, animal feed, fruits and citrus products.
Beyond trade, the discussions explored joint investments in integrated fish farming projects in Uganda, with Egypt offering technical expertise, research support and training in intensive aquaculture. The ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to expanding agricultural knowledge exchange, veterinary cooperation and capacity-building programmes to strengthen food production in both countries.
The initiative comes as Egypt seeks to diversify export destinations for its growing poultry industry, which has achieved self-sufficiency in poultry meat and table eggs while generating exportable surpluses. Expanding access to African markets aligns with Cairo's broader strategy of deepening intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and supporting regional food security through greater agricultural cooperation.
NBF Insight
Egypt's engagement with Uganda reflects a broader shift in African agriculture, from competing in global markets to building stronger regional food value chains. As countries increase production capacity, neighbouring markets are becoming strategic destinations for surplus food, livestock and processed agricultural products.
For Africa, expanding intra-continental agricultural trade is about more than exports. It strengthens food security, encourages private investment and accelerates the integration of regional value chains. If successfully implemented, the Egypt-Uganda partnership could serve as a model for how African countries leverage production strengths to meet regional demand while reducing dependence on food imports from outside the continent.
