Egyptian Participation in the AATB 5th B2B Matchmaking Event – Agribusiness Sector
REPORT
Egyptian Participation in the AATB 5th B2B Matchmaking Event – Agribusiness Sector
Abuja, Nigeria | 27–28 November 2025
The Food Export Council (FEC) is pleased to report on the successful participation of the Egyptian delegation in the 5th Arab–Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) B2B Matchmaking Event for the agribusiness sector, held in Abuja, Nigeria, on 27–28 November 2025.
The event was organized under the AATB Program, led by the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) of the Islamic Development Bank Group, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Arab–African economic integration and expand regional value chains in food and agriculture.
Egypt's participation reflects FEC’s strategic commitment to enhancing Egypt’s presence in African markets, building structured trade linkages, and supporting exporters across processed food value chains.
1. Arrival of the Egyptian Delegation – 26 November 2025
The Egyptian delegation — comprising manufacturers from across key agrifood specializations including dairy products, juices and beverages, pasta and grain-based products, milling and semolina, edible oils, bakery ingredients, poultry and feed, and general food processing — arrived in Abuja ahead of the event’s official opening.
E-Catalogue Nigeria Mission
As part of the pre-event familiarization program, the delegation conducted a field visit to SAHAD STORES LTD, one of Nigeria’s largest retail chains. The visit enabled companies to gain first-hand insights into:
Consumer preferences and purchasing trends
Retail pricing dynamics
Quality and packaging requirements
Opportunities for placing Egyptian food products in modern trade channels
This visit helped the delegation better understand market entry pathways and refine their B2B engagement strategies.
2. Day One – Opening of AATB Matchmaking Activities
27 November 2025
The first official day of the AATB forum commenced with opening remarks delivered by representatives of:
Welcome2Africa International
AATB Program Secretariat
International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)
Speakers provided an overview of the event structure, the matchmaking methodology, and the broader objective of fostering Arab–African cooperation in agribusiness.
Networking & Market Engagement
The Egyptian delegation participated in a dedicated Networking Session with buyers, importers, and distributors from across Nigeria and neighboring African markets. Discussions focused on:
Product adaptation for West African consumers
Regional logistics and distribution models
Cross-border trade opportunities within ECOWAS
Potential for long-term supply agreements
Commencement of B2B Meetings
Structured B2B matchmaking sessions were launched between Egyptian exporters and African buyers. These meetings explored potential partnerships in sectors including:
Dairy and cheese
Fruit juices and beverages
Pasta, flour, and grain derivatives
Bakery ingredients and mixes
Edible oils
Processed foods and convenience items
Feed and integrated agribusiness solutions
The first day concluded with strong buyer interest and several preliminary commercial leads.
3. Day Two – High-Level Roundtable & Advanced Matchmaking Sessions
28 November 2025
The second day of the forum featured a high-level Roundtable Session attended by senior government and institutional representatives from Nigeria, the Arab region, and African development organizations.
AATB 5th B2B Matchmaking Event …
Speakers included ministers, senior officials, and executives from:
The Government of Nigeria (Finance; Industry, Trade & Investment)
AATB Program – ITFC
Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)
Afreximbank – Global Trade Bank
TDB Group
Bank of Industry – Nigeria
Ministries from Gambia and other African states
Key Themes Discussed
The roundtable focused on:
Leveraging AfCFTA and GAFTA to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers
Strengthening Arab–African value chains in agribusiness
Enhancing food safety, trade facilitation, and cross-border logistics
Mobilizing blended finance for agrifood investments
Supporting SMEs in accessing regional and global markets
Continuation of B2B Matchmaking
Following the roundtable, additional bilateral business meetings were held between the Egyptian delegation and major buyers in Nigeria and West Africa. Participants explored:
Private label manufacturing opportunities
Consolidation of supply chains
Long-term import programs
Co-packing and distribution partnerships
Market-entry strategies for multiple product categories
These sessions generated several advanced commercial discussions and requests for follow-up samples, pricing proposals, and potential agreements.
4. Strategic Importance of the Mission
The event reinforced Egypt’s strong position as a reliable regional supplier of food and agribusiness products. Participation in AATB contributed to:
Expanding Egypt’s trade footprint in Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest consumer markets
Facilitating direct dialogue between Egyptian exporters and high-potential buyers
Enhancing market intelligence on West African demand
Supporting SMEs, medium, and large companies in navigating the African business landscape
Building new opportunities linked to AfCFTA’s emerging continental value chains
The mission aligns with FEC’s broader strategy to deepen engagement in Africa and leverage regional initiatives such as AATB, AfCFTA, and GAFTA to support export growth.
5. Conclusion
The Food Export Council extends its appreciation to ITFC, AATB, Welcome2Africa International, and all partner institutions for organizing this important platform that strengthens Arab–African cooperation in agribusiness.
The Egyptian delegation’s participation in the 5th AATB B2B Matchmaking Event marks a significant step toward expanding Egypt’s presence in West Africa, supporting exporters across diverse food sectors, and reinforcing Egypt’s role as a key contributor to regional food security and trade integration.
FEC looks forward to building on the momentum generated in Abuja and supporting continued follow-up between Egyptian exporters and African buyers to achieve concrete commercial outcomes.