Minister of Local Development Manal Awad met today with Zambia’s Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Gary Nkombo, alongside senior officials from both ministries, during the World Urban Forum hosted in Cairo from November 4-8, Invest-Gate reports.

Awad welcomed the Zambian delegation and expressed Egypt’s commitment to strengthening African partnerships to foster prosperity and development. “Egypt places great importance on enhancing cooperation with African nations to bring about shared prosperity across the continent,” Awad said.

Nkombo congratulated Awad on the forum’s success, commending Egypt’s strides under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in urban and rural development, particularly through the “Decent Life” initiative to improve living standards in rural Egypt.

The ministers discussed Egypt’s efforts in urban expansion, slum rehabilitation, and developing new smart cities. Awad detailed the national achievements under the Decent Life program. Nkombo expressed Zambia’s interest in using Egypt’s experience in rural development to improve living conditions for Zambian citizens.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to maintain ongoing communication between the two ministries to explore specific areas of collaboration and knowledge-sharing, reinforcing Egypt’s broader commitment to cooperation with African nations.