Egypt’s trade w/ African blocs up in ’23

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By Aya Anwar

Egypt’s total trade with African Union countries reached $9.2 billion in 2023, marking a 5.7 per cent increase from the previous year’s $8.7 billion, according to data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS).

Export Growth: 15.6% Increase

  • Egyptian exports to Africa increased by 15.6 per cent, reaching $7.4 billion in 2023, up from $6.4 billion in 2022.
  • Top five export destinations:
    1. Libya: $1.8 billion (24.9 per cent of total exports)
    2. Sudan: $989 million (13.4 per cent)
    3. Algeria: $859 million (11.6 per cent)
    4. Morocco: $829 million (11.2 per cent)
    5. Kenya: $327 million (4.4 per cent)
  • Key export categories:
    1. Cement, gypsum, and calcium phosphate: $701 million (9.5 per cent)
    2. Plastics and related products: $574 million (7.8 per cent)
    3. Flour and starch products: $375 million (5.1 per cent)

Imports Decline by 21.7%

  • Imports from African countries dropped by 21.7 per cent, totalling $1.8 billion in 2023, compared to $2.3 billion in 2022.
  • Top five import sources:
    1. Democratic Republic of Congo: $532 million (29.3 per cent)
    2. Sudan: $388 million (21.4 per cent)
    3. Kenya: $311 million (17.1 per cent)
    4. Zambia: $165 million (9.1 per cent)
    5. South Africa: $101 million (5.6 per cent)
  • Key import categories:
    1. Copper and products: $710 million (39.1 per cent)
    2. Coffee, tea, and spices: $309 million (17.0 per cent)
    3. Live animals: $175 million (9.7 per cent)

Trade with Key African Blocs

  • Sahel and Sahara States:
    • Trade grew by 10.2 per cent, reaching $6.5 billion in 2023 (up from $5.9 billion in 2022).
    • Exports: $5.6 billion (19 per cent increase from $4.7 billion in 2022).
    • Imports: $925 million (19 per cent decrease from $1.14 billion in 2022).
  • COMESA Bloc:
    • Trade increased by 7.4 per cent, reaching $5.8 billion (up from $5.4 billion in 2022).
    • Exports: $4.2 billion (20 per cent increase from $3.5 billion in 2022).
    • Imports: $1.6 billion (15.8 per cent decrease from $1.9 billion in 2022).
  • Nile Basin Countries:
    • Trade declined by 3.2 per cent, totalling $3.0 billion (down from $3.1 billion in 2022).
    • Exports: $1.7 billion (same as 2022).
    • Imports: $1.3 billion (7.1 per cent decrease from $1.4 billion in 2022).

Attribution: CAPMAS

Subediting: M. S. Salama

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