U.S. and China make fresh moves with Africa’s 2nd-largest economy — but in very different ways

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U.S. and China make fresh moves with Africa’s strongest military and its 2nd-largest economy Egypt — but in very different ways Egypt remains a vital hub for international diplomacy due to its strategic location and control of the Suez Canal. U.S. is strengthening its partnership with Egypt through high-level diplomatic talks focused on boosting political and economic ties. China and Russia is deepening its military relationship with North African nations. These developments reflect intensifying global competition in North Africa. ADVERTISEMENT Read Also lifestyle East Africa’s richest man Mo Dewji has put nearly $680 million behind aggressive African expansion in 2026 as he targets a $10 billion empire lifestyle World’s largest international airline upgrades flights to Africa’s second-richest country with Premium Economy lifestyle Africa’s richest island nation forges deeper fisheries and blue economy ties with India after €23 million tuna deal with EU window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-mid-n', container: 'taboola-thumbnails-mid-1', placement: 'Thumbnails Mid 1', target_type: 'mix' }); U.S. deepens diplomatic and economic ties In late August 2026, Egypt and the United States held high-level diplomatic talks to reinforce their long-standing partnership.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Michael J. Rigas, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, to discuss ways to boost their political, trade, and investment ties.

Egypt's State Information Service reported that Both representatives emphasized that their alliance remains a "key pillar in supporting security and stability in the region".

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As regional tensions continue to escalate, the meeting focused heavily on finding ways to restore stability.

Abdelatty highlighted the need to resolve disputes peacefully, stressing "the importance of giving priority to political and diplomatic solutions and dialogue in addressing crises".

Through these meetings, the U.S. is seeking to maintain strong coordination with Egypt to help contain regional threats.

These diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Egypt come as North Africa becomes an increasingly important arena for global influence, with China and Russia also deepening their relationships across the region through different economic, diplomatic and military channels.

Rather than aligning exclusively with one global power, North African countries are increasingly diversifying their partnerships.

Egypt, for example, has deepened its military relationship with China. The two countries are currently conducting the second edition of the Eagles of Civilization joint air exercise in Egypt.

Morocco, meanwhile, has maintained a close defence relationship with the U.S. The cordial ties between Africa’s richest king, Mohammed VI, and U.S. President Donald Trump have become an important driver of the relationship.

In a striking recent gesture, the Moroccan monarch named the country’s 1,055-kilometre Tiznit-Dakhla Expressway the Donald J. Trump Highway, explicitly linking the decision to Trump’s 2020 recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.

Washington has approved the modernization of Morocco’s F-16 fleet, while Morocco has also acquired AH-64E Apache attack helicopters through U.S. defence cooperation.

The U.S. and Morocco also co-host the African Lion military exercise, one of the largest annual multinational exercises on the continent.

Algeria has taken a different path, maintaining a longstanding defence relationship with Russia. The country has continued acquiring advanced Russian military equipment, including the Su-34M strike fighter, reinforcing Moscow’s position as a major defence partner in North Africa.

Russia is also expanding its military footprint in Libya. Satellite analysis cited by the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Tearline project found construction and renovation activity at six Libyan air bases associated with reported Russian Africa presence.

The activity includes work on hangars, runways, barracks and other infrastructure, suggesting a broader effort to strengthen Russia’s long-term military presence in the region.