In a move that may increase Cairo’s clout in North Africa, Egypt and Tunisia have signed eight memorandums of understanding aimed at boosting ties.
This comes during an important time for Egypt. Cairo has hinted that it could reduce security cooperation with Israel. It has been reaching out to Iraq, Iran, the UAE, and other Gulf states. It also is seeking to strengthen its position in North Africa.
In recent years, the Egyptian government has faced an uphill struggle in the region.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was confronted with troubles in Ethiopia due to a large dam the Ethiopians were building. Egypt faced challenges in Sudan after Khartoum transitioned from authoritarian rule to potential democracy. Turkey’s government was inciting against Sisi.
Egypt was involved in a civil war in Libya. It was also trying to push for reconciliation with former Syrian president Hafez al-Assad, but Assad fell from power in December 2024.
The political climate is different now
Now things are different. Egypt is taking back its leadership role in the Arab world. It has recently hosted talks with the Gulf states. It is talking about leading more security cooperation.
Egypt is in touch with Iran about the nuclear issue, and Tehran is praising Cairo for its role. Turkey and Egypt appear to have patched things up in Libya.
Egypt is also reaching out to Tunisia and Cairo’s fellow BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE).
Essentially, Egypt is now hedging between its roles with the West and regionally.
“Egypt and Tunisia have signed eight memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to deepen bilateral ties and boost cooperation in areas such as health, medical sciences, export development, social affairs, and support for small and medium enterprises,” Egypt Today, an Egyptian English-language news magazine, reported. “The agreements also cover youth and sports programs for 2026-2027, along with initiatives on consumer protection and market oversight.”
Tunisia matters because it is a stable country in North Africa. Tunisia gave birth to the Arab Spring and then transitioned to democracy. After briefly flirting with Muslim Brotherhood rule, however, it moved back toward authoritarianism.
Egypt has charted the same course. As such, Tunisian President Kais Saied’s government and Sisi have many things to talk about.
“Diplomatic ties were further strengthened through an MoU between Egypt’s Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Tunisia’s International Diplomatic Academy,” Egypt Today reported. “The signing concluded with both prime ministers approving the minutes of the 18th Egyptian-Tunisian Joint Higher Committee.”
The Egyptian Presidential Office said: “Egypt and Tunisia agreed to boost trade and investment during the 18th session of the Egypt-Tunisia Joint Higher Committee in Cairo this week.”
“During a meeting with Tunisian Minister of Trade and Export Development Samir Abid, Egyptian Planning and International Cooperation Minister Rania Al-Mashat said the committee serves as a long-standing platform for cooperation in infrastructure, logistics, transport, trade, and industry,” it said. “Egypt’s exports to Tunisia jumped 15.4% in 2024 to reach $434.5 million, according to official data, as both governments target further growth.”