Mauritian delegation in talks with Egypt on establishing e-waste recycling project

Botha's remark came during a meeting with the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) CEO Hossam Heiba and Biocom CEO Omar Hussain.

Investing in e-waste recycling in Egypt will enable the extraction of five key metals from electronic devices, including gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and copper, Botha said during the meeting.

He noted that these metals account for 30 percent of electronic devices' components, while the remaining 70 percent consists of plastic.

Botha added that Mauritian investors plan to convert plastic waste into fuel in Egypt.

Moreover, he highlighted that Greentech Group's factories use eco-friendly technology to separate and recycle electronic components, reducing the need for new metal production by reusing metals from waste.

Global electronic waste is estimated at 10 million tons annually, he said.

Hussain said the Mauritian business community is eager to deepen cooperation with Egypt, seeking to establish a strategic partnership between Mauritius, a financial hub in sub-Saharan Africa, and Egypt, a key investment destination on the continent.

Heiba also described e-waste recycling as a promising sector in Egypt, which has seen increased local and foreign investment.

Egypt generates around 90,000 tons of electronic waste annually, providing a significant opportunity for growth in the industry, he added.

In 2022, Cairo hosted the first economic investment forum between Egypt and Mauritius, jointly organized by the Egyptian-African Businessmen Association (EABA) and the Mauritian Economic Council.

In March 2024, the Mauritian prime minister discussed boosting trade and investment with Egypt, prioritizing enhanced economic ties between the two countries, according to Egypt's State Information Service.