Europe and Egypt in a year of realignment
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Europe and Egypt in a year of realignment
Egypt and North Africa’s strategic position as a link between Europe and Africa is clear.
In a year only 10 days old but which feels like ages, geopolitical events have once again prompted us to try and look into the crystal ball.
One thing is for sure: the world is (once again) on the cusp of major change. What happened on 3 January 2026 in Latin America shows that 2026 will be a year of major shocks and further realignment.
How these major geopolitical events will affect Africa is something we continue to track, follow and analyse at WhyAfrica.
What is clear from WhyAfrica’s recent visit to Italy and Europe, and conversations with companies operating in Europe and Africa, is that the European Union (EU) and its partners are scurrying to find answers for many questions.
Africa becomes strategic
I listed critical minerals, energy, trade and migrants in my notebook.
In a new world, Africa will become extremely strategic for the EU as they realign and build new bridges to the African continent.
North Africa is where the mending work is most obvious. Egypt might be the African country to keep an eye on in 2026. WhyAfrica is certainly doing that.
Recent high-level meetings between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi have shown real intent to deepen ties across multiple sectors.
Egypt is central to the EU’s strategic interests. The country controls the Suez Canal that links Asia, Africa and Europe.
The EU’s first-ever summit with Egypt late last year reaffirmed Egypt’s role in securing maritime routes and keeping trade flowing from the Red Sea through the Mediterranean.
Egypt a key partner for Italy
Italy (on the southern flank of the EU), regards Egypt as a key partner in a new world. Meloni has on several occasions mentioned cooperation with Egypt and other North African countries as a non-negotiable component of Europe’s stability and economic connectivity.
Meanwhile, Egypt is promoting its mining sector and critical minerals. With good deposits of gold, silver, zinc, platinum, Rare Earth Elements (REE), lithium and other minerals, the mining sector in Egypt is expanding rapidly, with substantial production and export gains reported.
The country is seriously looking to attract new exploration companies into a region that remains mostly unexplored.
In addition, Egypt’s natural gas infrastructure (including export facilities and pipelines) plays into the EU’s energy diversification strategies.
WhyAfrica will be following events in the EU and North Africa with a close eye and with boots on the ground in 2026.
For more information visit the WhyAfrica website.
Europe and Egypt in a year of realignment