Nile Oracl 17 8 2026 Eng , Hassan Shaaban

Overview

Egyptian political analyst and civil engineering consultant Hassan Shaban argues that Egypt’s engagement with Africa should move from signed agreements to large, practical infrastructure and economic projects that create a win-win for Egypt and landlocked African states.

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Egypt–Africa bilateral relations: shift from diplomacy to logistics and trade

Shaban says President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has prioritized strengthening African ties by pushing agreements to become “reality” through economic benefit.

He highlights recent activity involving Egypt’s Minister of Transportation visiting Chad to discuss linking N’Djamena to the Red Sea via road and/or rail.

Shaban frames this as a “new era” because many African countries lack direct access to sea routes, making it costly and slow to move goods to and from Asia.

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A proposed Red Sea “logistics hub” model (and allocated land for partner states)

Shaban proposes Egypt develop a logistics hub on the Red Sea, mentioning areas such as Qusayr, Safaga, and nearby ports/locations.

• Flow of goods: the hub would receive goods from the Far East (notably China/Korea) and redistribute them into Africa via highways/rail.
• Return value for partners: Shaban suggests allocating land or privileges to participating landlocked countries—such as Chad, Benin, and Niger—potentially in exchange for agricultural production.

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Development strategy: infrastructure + agriculture + industry (value chains)

Shaban’s “new philosophy” is that Egypt should use its infrastructure and industrial experience, while African states contribute raw materials and land.

He also proposes addressing African challenges such as refrigeration and food preservation by producing canned foods/processed agriculture in Egypt, then exporting them back to Africa.

He links this to Egypt’s internal industrial growth areas, mentioning Minya, and references discussions around places like Beni Suef and Al-Aqə / value-zone concepts.

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Cotton and Egypt’s industrial competitiveness

Shaban argues that Egypt neglected its cotton crop for a period, allowing other countries to compete.

• He points to Burkina Faso as a top African cotton producer.
• He argues Egypt should regain competitiveness in spinning/weaving, noting the importance of Mahalla.

Historical example (1971): Zanzour facility in Libya

Shaban cites a historical case from 1971, where Muammar Gaddafi built a major weaving/spinning facility in Zanzour (Libya), intended to use Egyptian cotton and Indian technology.

He alleges that Egypt failed to supply cotton, and the factory was later damaged during Libya’s conflicts.

He expresses hope that stabilization in Libya could allow Egypt to benefit again.

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Regional security and political stability as a prerequisite for development

Shaban argues that unrest in African countries directly affects Egypt because development requires stability and peace.

He references el-Sisi’s emphasis on “silencing the guns,” saying it worked in practice:

• Chad is described as currently stable.
• Niger is expected to move toward stability.
• Sudan is framed as potentially improving.

He advocates creating economic settlements (agricultural and industrial) across Africa to reduce pressures on Egypt and offer opportunities for young Egyptians seeking alternatives to migration.

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Egypt’s potential role in peace/security: industry, strategic presence, and anti-piracy

When asked how Egypt can contribute strategically to peace, Shaban emphasizes that some African states want military industry cooperation, including ammunition/equipment.

He suggests partnerships with countries such as:

• Uganda
• Kenya
• Madagascar

He highlights the Bab al-Mandab / Al-Mandab corridor as strategically important because it connects to the Suez Canal.

Anti-piracy concept: refrigerated tankers converted from oil vessels

Shaban proposes converting large oil tankers into refrigerated vessels anchored in the Gulf of Aden. Fishing boats would supply fish for refrigeration/export.

He presents this as both:

• an economic opportunity, and
• a way for Egypt to justify a coast guard / missile-boat presence to protect investments against piracy.

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Water security: cooperation, satellite monitoring, and reducing “wasted” water

Shaban argues Egypt faces water scarcity, and that political relations must balance regional cooperation.

He claims that roughly one quarter of a billion cubic meters of water seeps from Ethiopia’s plateau toward the Gulf of Aden during rainy seasons, and argues this water should be preserved and utilized rather than lost.

He suggests:

• A cooperative monitoring satellite to automatically observe dam/reservoir discharges and rainfall, reducing disputes by clarifying water flows.
• Further study of underground water systems, including a possible underground river corridor from the Qattara depression toward central Africa.

He also proposes that the U.S. could help with capabilities for deep soil/underground exploration, while emphasizing that cooperation should increase shared water use to avoid conflict.

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Closing note

The segment ends by teasing another report: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discusses the importance of a unified African investment/coordinating entity to distribute and coordinate investments across the continent.

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Presenters / Contributors

• Host/Presenter (Nile article studio): Name not stated in the subtitles
• Engineer Hassan Shaban: civil engineering consultant and political analyst