President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana have arrived in Alamein, Egypt, to participate in the 8th African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting and the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum, bringing together continental leaders to assess progress on economic integration, peace and security and sustainable development.
The summit, taking place on Sunday, 4 October 2026, will bring together Heads of State and Government of the AU Bureau, Chairpersons of the Regional Economic Communities, heads of AU Organs, and development partners including the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank.
Ramaphosa to Lead SADC Participation
President Ramaphosa is attending the summit in his capacity as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community. He is accompanied by International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau.
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The meeting provides an opportunity for Chairpersons of the Regional Economic Communities to exchange views on the status of continental integration and progress towards the realisation of the "Africa We Want" as outlined in Agenda 2063.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will, as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), participate in the 8th African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (MYCM) in the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Key Agenda Items
Heads of State and Government will review and assess the role of the AU Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in accelerating continental and regional integration. They will also evaluate progress in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and receive an update on efforts to speed up infrastructure related to water and sanitation.
Peace and security will feature high on the agenda, with leaders considering efforts to prevent conflicts on the continent, including through enhancing the AU's early warning mechanism.
Mahama to Deliver Keynote on Health Investment
President Mahama is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at a plenary session on "Investing in Health: Manufacturing and Regional Value Chains." His address will explore healthcare as both a social responsibility and a strategic economic sector with investment potential, focusing on manufacturing and the development of regional value chains.
The session will examine health not merely as social expenditure but as an investable economic sector capable of supporting industrialisation and value creation across Africa.
President Mahama is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, including a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Parallel Events
On the margins of the leaders' meeting, Egypt is hosting a Business Forum from 2 to 4 October 2026, bringing together governments, businesses and financial institutions to discuss investment opportunities and strengthen partnerships across Africa. Egypt also convened a Summit of the Founders of AUDA-NEPAD on 3 October 2026.
The Mid-Year Coordination Meeting serves as the principal platform for harmonising policies between the AU, Regional Economic Communities and regional mechanisms to advance continental economic integration.
With reporting from SAnews.gov.za, SABC News, GBC Ghana Online, GhanaWeb, ChannelAfrica, SADC, allAfrica.com and Panapress.
Twenty heads of state. 1,500 business leaders. A forum designed to accelerate integration. But the question remains: will this be another gathering of good intentions, or the moment Africa finally moves from planning to delivery? What specific commitments should come out of Alamein that would change the lives of ordinary Africans?
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