Egyptian Minister’s Khartoum Visit Signals Renewed Focus on Sudan Investment and Reconstruction

Egyptian Minister’s Khartoum Visit Signals Renewed Focus on Sudan Investment and Reconstruction

 

KHARTOUM — Fath Al-Rahman Suleiman

 

Sudan is preparing to receive Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport on July 27 in what will be the first visit by an Egyptian minister to Khartoum since the outbreak of the war, a move officials and analysts see as a sign of renewed economic engagement between the two countries.

 

The visit is expected to focus on expanding cooperation in transport and infrastructure, with discussions covering the development of river transport, technical and investment partnerships in the transport sector, and the launch of a branch of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Port Sudan.

 

The academy project is expected to support Sudan’s reconstruction efforts by developing local expertise in maritime and logistics services, while strengthening Port Sudan’s role as a regional centre for training and maritime activities.

 

Yasser Mohamed Madbou, chairman of the committee overseeing preparations for the visit, said the academy branch could contribute around $100 million annually to the Sudanese economy through education and training services, job creation, and attracting students from Sudan and abroad.

 

Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday at the headquarters of the Land Transport Unit, Madbou said improved security conditions after the Sudanese Armed Forces regained control of large areas had started to boost investor confidence and create opportunities for renewed development partnerships.

 

He rejected any link between the visit and reports concerning the closure of the “Northern Lifeline” road, saying the agenda was focused on economic cooperation and joint development projects.

 

The visit comes as Sudan’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure works on rebuilding a sector seen as critical to economic recovery, trade connectivity and market access.

 

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Saif Al-Nasr Al-Tijani Haroun said the ministry had made extensive preparations for the Egyptian delegation’s arrival, describing the visit as an important step in strengthening Sudanese-Egyptian cooperation, with potential economic and political implications in the coming period.

 

Haroun said the ministry was implementing plans to modernise maritime transport, including adding a new vessel to the Sudan Line fleet and upgrading Sudanese ports to improve efficiency and enable them to handle larger ships.

 

The measures are aimed at increasing the competitiveness of Sudan’s ports and expanding their role in regional and international trade.

 

Analysts say the visit carries significance beyond technical cooperation, reflecting efforts to revive joint projects between Khartoum and Cairo and attract investment into transport and logistics, sectors expected to play a central role in Sudan’s economic recovery and reconstruction.I can also produce a Financial Times-style version with a stronger investment and regional strategy angle if needed.