Egypt is making the necessary preparations ahead of assuming the presidency of the African Union in 2019.
The city of Sharm El Sheikh will host on Saturday the Africa 2018 Forum, which will put a strong emphasis on youth, witness a day dedicated to entrepreneurship and gather a number of women who are empowering Africa.
The Forum, held under the patronage of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, would be further evidence of the role Cairo plays in Africa.
The Egyptian cabinet announced it would launch training for young African leaders, while the Cairo airport authorities set an independent corridor for travelers carrying a passport from the African Union.
The two-day event will bring together ten African heads of state and more than 60 international lecturers, according to organizers.
“The event would bring the continent’s leading business people and get them to co-invest and would discuss important issues related to the future of the continent and means to develop it,” said Heba Salama, CEO of COMESA Regional Investment Agency, co-hosts of the Forum.
Next to hosting the Africa 2018 Forum, the Egyptian presidency launched an initiative to train African youth to reinforce Egypt’s standing in Africa before taking over the African Union presidency.
Minister of Planning and Administrative Reform Hala al-Saeed said the initiative would include the African Women Leadership Training Program, the African Youth Career Program, and Egyptian-African Governance
In January, Sisi is expected to chair a summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government have already elected the Egyptian president for a one-year term, succeeding Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Egypt will also host the Intra-African Trade Fair with the participation of private sector leaders.
