Egypt: Tourism holds strong despite regional tensions [Business Africa]

Egypt's tourism sector has demonstrated significant growth, reinforcing its crucial role in the nation's economy. In 2025, nearly 19 million visitors were recorded, reflecting a 21% increase compared to 2024. Tourism revenues reached €14.17 billion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by more than 20%.

This growth signifies a robust recovery from the downturn in 2020, when revenues fell to €3.85 billion from €11.6 billion in 2019. The sector has since regained momentum.

The upward trend is expected to persist in 2026, with projected growth in visitor numbers and revenues ranging from 5% to 7%. This expansion is attributed to increased air traffic, including a 32% rise in charter flights, and the introduction of new tourist destinations, such as El Alamein.

Efforts to diversify tourism offerings include cultural, seaside, eco-tourism, and wellness tourism. Destinations like Siwa and the North Coast are drawing increasing numbers of visitors.

Significant investments in infrastructure are underway, with plans for over 200,000 new hotel rooms. Egyptian airports are projected to accommodate over 50 million passengers, including approximately 31 million in Cairo.

Despite regional geopolitical volatility, tourism remains a strategic pillar of Egypt's economy.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) faces challenges following the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which have formed the Alliance of Sahel States. The regional bloc must maintain unity while managing internal tensions.

A key issue involves a maritime dispute between Ghana and Togo. Ghana has sought international arbitration to resolve the maritime border delimitation after unsuccessful negotiations, while Togo advocates for a peaceful resolution.

Additionally, a border incident between Guinea and Sierra Leone has emerged, linked to allegations of troop incursions, which are denied by Sierra Leone.

These developments occur as Senegal is set to lead the ECOWAS Commission for the 2026–2030 term. The management of these disputes will be crucial to the organization's credibility in West Africa.

Côte d’Ivoire, traditionally known for cocoa production, is seeing a rise in papaya cultivation. Farmers are attracted to papaya due to faster returns and more stable revenues. However, post-harvest processing is essential to maximize the sector's potential.

Papaya plants produce fruit after approximately six months, with harvests lasting up to two and a half years. Developing processing industries could increase added value and enhance the sector's contribution to the economy.

Papaya cultivation appears more profitable than cocoa, which requires four to five years for the first harvest. Market demand for papaya remains strong with relatively stable prices.

Economist Rudolph Falah notes that cocoa prices fell by 40% to 50% between 2020 and 2025. In this context, the papaya sector is gaining momentum and could position Côte d’Ivoire among Africa's leading papaya producers.

Despite challenges such as high costs and logistical constraints, the papaya industry shows substantial growth potential for the country's agricultural sector.

Based on reporting by Africanews.