Egypt In-Focus — Cairo invites African countries to consolidate position ahead of COP27

Egypt has invited African countries to attend a session on climate and energy in an attempt to consolidate the continent’s position ahead of the UN climate conference.
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Updated 16 May 2022
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Egypt In-Focus — Cairo invites African countries to consolidate position ahead of COP27

RIYADH: Egypt is urging its African neighbors to meet ahead of COP27 to coordinate a position on climate and energy. Meanwhile, the new Indian wheat shipment is seen complying with the required standards signaling good news in light of the Russia-Ukraine war. The North African country is also working with Libya to bolster trade ties. 

  • Egypt has invited African countries to attend a session on climate and energy in an attempt to consolidate the continent’s position ahead of the UN climate conference, COP27, to be held in November 2022, local newspaper Egypt Today reported. 
  • The new Indian wheat shipment to Egypt has been reported to be in compliance with the required standards, Egypt Today reported. The North African country has selected India to be its new wheat supplier to curb the effects of the war between Russia and Ukraine. 
  •  Libya’s central bank has announced that it will permit local banks to receive land shipping documents to import Egyptian goods through Musaid crossing. Both countries have agreed to boost trade exchange with each other, Egypt Today reported, citing Mukhtar Al-Tawil, the director of the banking supervision and monetary department at the Central Bank of Libya.
  • The sixth “Egypt Can by Industry” conference is set to tackle artificial intelligence, digitalization, and programming, Egypt Today reported, citing the country’s minister of immigration and Egyptian expatriate affairs. The conference will also discuss the technology industry on a local level, how to deepen it and ways to promote it.
  • The Central Bank of Egypt has said it has joined the international green financial system network, local newspaper Youm 7 reported. This falls in line with the country’s goal to achieve sustainable development as well as further pushing the role of the banking sector toward backing the green economy and applying global practices in the field.
  •  The country’s trade deficit reached $2.7 billion in February, down from $3.82 billion in February 2021, local newspaper Youm 7 reported, citing the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics. This figure reflects a 29.4 percent drop when compared to the corresponding month a year earlier. 

Arab Energy Fund takes minority stake in Saudi energy firm APSCO 

Updated 15 January 2026
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Arab Energy Fund takes minority stake in Saudi energy firm APSCO 

RIYADH: The Arab Energy Fund has acquired a minority stake in Saudi Arabia’s Arabian Petroleum Supply Co., backing one of the Kingdom’s largest private energy solutions providers as it looks to expand across the Middle East and beyond. 

The investment initiates a partnership aimed at pursuing opportunities across the Middle East, North Africa, and select international markets, covering APSCO’s core and adjacent business sectors. 

The move underscores TAEF’s commitment to investing in established regional leaders while promoting innovation and sustainable growth across the energy value chain. 

According to a press release, the transaction marks The Arab Energy Fund’s first investment of 2026, following an active 2025 during which the fund completed several key deals, including investments in Jafurah Midstream Gas Co. alongside BlackRock and in the platform Tagaddod. 

Khalid Al-Ruwaigh, CEO of The Arab Energy Fund, commented on the deal, saying: “APSCO represents a unique platform with strong fundamentals and a proven track record in critical energy segments.” 

He added: “This investment aligns with our mandate to support high-quality energy and energy-adjacent businesses that are well-positioned to capture growth across the region and beyond.” 

The Arab Energy Fund is a multilateral impact financial institution established in 1974 by 10 Arab oil-exporting countries. 

Mohammed Ali Ibrahim Alireza, managing director, APSCO, said: “We welcome The Arab Energy Fund as a strategic partner supporting our next phase of growth.” 

He added: “As a pioneer in energy solutions for over 60 years, APSCO remains committed to quality, reliability, and innovation, while continuing to contribute to Vision 2030 by enhancing efficiency and minimizing environmental impact.” 

The partnership is designed to bolster APSCO’s long-term growth strategy, operational excellence, and geographic expansion, leveraging TAEF’s regional expertise and institutional network. 

APSCO is a Saudi energy company with more than 60 years of experience in integrated energy solutions, including aviation fuels, lubricants, and a nationwide automotive retail network. 

The company holds long-term partnerships with global energy leaders, including a 60-year relationship with ExxonMobil for lubricant distribution across several Middle Eastern countries. Since 1999, APSCO has also been the exclusive aviation fueling services provider for Saudia.