Egypt and Eritrea have historical ties dating back to the Eritrean struggle for independence, during which Cairo played a pivotal role in supporting the Eritrean revolution politically and diplomatically until the declaration of independence in 1993, which laid the foundation for a new phase of bilateral cooperation extending across various fields.

Relations between Egypt and Eritrea

During the years of struggle, Egypt maintained close relations with the Eritrean revolutionary factions, providing clear support until national independence was achieved.

Following the declaration of Eritrea’s independence, Cairo recognized it and congratulated Asmara on its independence, and worked to build a partnership based on political and economic cooperation.

In recent years, relations between Egypt and Eritrea have witnessed remarkable momentum through mutual visits and continuous contacts at the highest level, most notably the tripartite summit that brought together President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, his Eritrean counterpart Isaias Afwerki, and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Asmara during October 2024.

Egyptian-Eritrean relations have witnessed a series of reciprocal visits, reflecting the level of political coordination. In addition to President Sisi’s visit to Asmara in October 2024, there have been frequent visits by the Eritrean president to Cairo since 2014, and periodic meetings between foreign ministers and senior officials.

The relationship between Egypt and Eritrea

On the economic front, the two countries are working to enhance cooperation in a number of vital sectors, including revitalizing trade exchange, supporting Egyptian investments in the Eritrean market, infrastructure and energy projects, agriculture and fisheries, with Cairo focusing on expanding the presence of its companies in Eritrea, benefiting from accumulated expertise in the fields of construction, energy and development.

On regional issues, the two countries adopt similar positions on a number of regional issues, most notably supporting the stability of Sudan and preserving its institutions, supporting the unity and sovereignty of Somalia, enhancing security in the Horn of Africa region, and supporting the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution.

Culturally, Egyptian institutions play an important role in strengthening cultural ties with Eritrea, especially through Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, which has received Eritrean students and provided them with scholarships, in addition to sending educational missions to spread Arab and Islamic culture.

Egyptian-Eritrean relations are heading towards further expansion, driven by several factors including shared regional challenges, the importance of the two countries' location in the Red Sea, and the desire to enhance economic integration.

Alongside continued political coordination and intensified economic cooperation, the partnership between Cairo and Asmara appears poised to play a larger role in supporting stability and development in the Horn of Africa region.