Strengthening domestic revenues and expanding blended financing mechanisms can help reduce investment risks across Africa, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said.

Strengthening domestic revenues and expanding blended financing mechanisms can help reduce investment risks across Africa, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said.

 

Speaking at the African Consultative Group meeting during the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, Kouchouk affirmed that mobilizing concessional domestic resources alongside private capital is essential to address rising costs of energy and food.

 

He noted that exceptional regional challenges have intensified the trade-offs between development spending, climate investment, and social protection, particularly in light of increasing debt burdens driven by higher financing needs in African economies and elevated borrowing costs due to geopolitical developments.

 

Kouchouk said the Egyptian government is continuing efforts to strengthen fiscal discipline in a way that remains supportive to the business community and economic activity. He added that the tax facilitation reform path has delivered strong revenue performance, based on promoting voluntary compliance, with the aim of expanding the tax base through rebuilding trust with the private sector.

 

He stressed the importance of a greater role for the International Monetary Fund in supporting African countries through more flexible programs, policy advice, and capacity development.

The minister also pointed to Egypt’s successful issuance of eurobonds and green bonds, access to Asian markets, and issuance of sukuk, saying this reflects the importance of diversifying financing instruments.