Photos: El-Sisi and Macron inaugurate new Senghor University campus in Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA – 9 May 2026: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday inaugurated the new campus of Senghor University in New Borg El Arab, Alexandria.

Université Senghor is a French-language international institution dedicated to supporting development in Africa.

The ceremony was attended by Burundian Prime Minister Nestor Ntahontuye, Secretary General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) Louise Mushikiwabo, Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Niang, and Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI) at the African Union Commission Gaspard Banyankimbona.

Ahead of the inauguration ceremony, El-Sisi and Macron took a commemorative photo with Senghor University students alongside heads of participating delegations.

Senghor University, established in 1990 and named after former Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor, offers postgraduate programmes in environment, administration, culture, and health.

The university was originally based in Alexandria’s Mansheya district before its relocation to New Borg El Arab.

Leading Francophone Institution

In remarks during the event, El-Sisi said Senghor University has, over more than three decades, established itself as a leading academic institution in preparing young African talents under modern educational systems.

This has enabled them to address development challenges and turn them into opportunities for sustainable growth, he affirmed.

 

El-Sisi noted Egypt’s long-standing commitment to the Francophone world since joining the Agence de coopération culturelle et technique in 1983, which later became the OIF.

The inauguration of the new university campus, El-Sisi said, comes at a crucial moment.

This period is marked by growing development challenges and an increasing need for effective international partnerships based on solidarity and integration, particularly among Global South countries, he explained.

The president stressed Egypt’s continued contribution to shared Francophone objectives alongside partnerships with Global North countries.

During the ceremony, El-Sisi highlighted Egypt’s role as a “strategic meeting point between Africa, the Arab world, the Mediterranean region, and Francophone countries.”

Meanwhile, he praised France’s support for African capacity-building through funding, scholarships, and expertise transfer.

Supporting Senghor University

Macron delivered statements during the inauguration, praising Egypt’s commitment to investing €60 million in Senghor University.

 

Macron described Senghor University as a remarkable global project, saying that universities have freed societies from obscurantism and division.

He added that Francophonie belongs to all those who choose to embrace the French language.

Macron said there are 60 French schools across Egypt, calling for future generations to be given the opportunity to help reunite the Mediterranean region.

He added that unity among countries is needed to confront geopolitical challenges.

Establishing New Campus

El-Sisi said the decision to establish the new headquarters of Senghor University in 2019 reflects Egypt’s commitment to investing in people as the most effective path to sustainable development.

He highlighted Egypt’s allocation of land and financial support for the project, which was completed in record time, significantly expanding the university’s capacity and providing an integrated educational environment.

The growing number of applicants, El-Sisi said, reflects strong confidence in the university and reaffirms Egypt’s continued support, including annual scholarships for African students.

Promoting Dialogue, Diversity

El-Sisi hailed the OIF role as a multilateral framework that promotes dialogue, cultural diversity, peace, democracy, human rights, and education as a pillar of sustainable development.

He stressed that the role of Senghor University extends beyond academic education to institutional capacity-building. He also underscored the university’s role in enhancing the efficiency of African decision-makers in vital sectors.

 

The president described Senghor University as a successful model of international cooperation and evidence of what can be achieved through political will and integrated international efforts.

El-Sisi stressed that empowering African youth and building institutional capacity are central to Africa’s future development.

He also reaffirmed Egypt’s long-standing commitment to supporting African development through knowledge transfer, capacity-building, and development projects.

He underlined “Egypt’s belief that the prosperity and stability of all African nations are integral to Egypt's own prosperity and stability.”

During the event, El-Sisi and Macron greeted Senghor University students inside the new campus and engaged in brief conversations with them.