Egypt’s role in Africa was the topic du jour on the airwaves last night as the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development in the continent is set to begin today. The talking heads covered everything from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to talk trade and investment, to Egypt’s activities during its year-long presidency of the African Union.

El Sisi and Ramaphosa discussed infrastructure development projects in Africa such as the Cairo-Cape Passage project, continental security and regional integration, Al Hayah Al Youm’s Lobna Assal (watch, runtime: 2:24), Min Masr’s Amr Khalil (watch, runtime: 1:57), and Masaa DMC reported (watch, runtime: 1:26). The projects are a particular priority due to this year’s launch of the African Continental Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Aswan forum will bring together several African leaders and will see the formal inauguration of the Benban solar power park, Egypt’s ambassador to Ethiopia Osama Abdel Khalek told Masaa DMC (watch, runtime: 5:07 and runtime: 2:08).

Egypt will continue engaging with its partners on the continent after its presidency of the AU expires, but the government has worked to make the year-long leadership term fruitful, former diplomat Ahmed Hagag told Assal (watch, runtime: 3:42). (South Africa takes over the leadership of the African Union in 2020; the chair of the AU for 2021 is likely to be decided in February.)

Meanwhile, inflation figures earned some airtime on Masaa DMC, with finance professor Mostafa Badra saying that the overall deceleration this year has contributed to improving the country’s economic well-being (watch, runtime: 4:32). We have the full story in this morning’s Speed Round, below