Egypt has been drawing up a national plan designed to boost its trade in pharmaceuticals with the rest of Africa.

The government discussed new measures on Tuesday (September 3rd 2019) to strengthen the nation's influence and presence across the continent, with a special focus on pharmaceuticals and medicines.

Egyptian prime minister Mostafa Madbouly and health minister Hala Zayed said Africa is one of the most important markets for this sector, particularly given Egypt's presidency of the African Union.

The pair added they hope to concentrate heavily on preparations for the treatment of malaria and hepatitis C and will rely on the Treaty for the Establishment of the African Medicine Agency in order to do so.

According to figures published this summer by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, trade between Egypt and African countries increased by 23 per cent in 2018 compared with 2017.

Egyptian imports from African countries increased by 15.2 per cent during the same period, and it is hoped exports to Africa will rise by up to 50 per cent this year.