Egypt emerges Indonesia’s biggest African export market with $1.59 billion in 2025

The latest numbers underscore a deepening economic partnership between Southeast Asia’s largest economy and one of Africa’s most populous nations.

Overall trade between the two countries expanded by 37.16 per cent as of October 2025 compared with the same period last year, reflecting what Indonesian officials describe as increasingly robust commercial ties.

Indonesia’s ambassador to Egypt, Lutfi Rauf, said the export performance highlights Egypt’s growing importance in Indonesia’s Africa strategy.

“Indonesian exports value to Egypt reaches $1.59 billion, making it the largest in Africa,” he said during a visit to Al Shorouk Company for Import and Export Plantation in Egypt’s Menofia Province.

According to the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, demand for Indonesian products in Egypt has continued to widen. Key exports include palm oil and its derivatives, coffee, coconut-based products, yarn, paper, cocoa powder, footwear, steel, cocoa fat, and spices such as nutmeg and cloves.

Egyptian exports to Indonesia are also gaining traction, ranging from phosphate, potatoes, and molasses to dates, asphalt, citrus, fertiliser, grains, and telecommunications devices. About 84 Egyptian product items are currently circulating in Indonesia.

Industry players see further room for collaboration as Eng. Shaaban Hashad, chief executive of Al Shorouk Company, welcomed Indonesia’s push to strengthen trade ties and expressed interest in partnerships with Indonesian fruit importers, signalling potential growth in agribusiness links between both regions.