The Egyptian Swiss Group for Pasta, Milling and Concentrates (ElSebaie) is participating in the Egyptian trade mission to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, organized by the Food Industries Export Council from January 12 to 17, as part of its strategy to strengthen the presence of Egyptian food products in West African markets and unlock new export opportunities for locally manufactured goods
Deep Market Insight into Côte d’Ivoire
Eng. Ahmed ElSebaie, General Manager of the Egyptian Swiss Group, said the company’s participation is centered on gaining first-hand insight into the Ivorian market. Field visits included leading supermarket chains and wholesale markets, offering a comprehensive overview of available food products and pricing structures across economy, mid-range and premium segments
During the mission, ElSebaie met with Sherif Seif, Egypt’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, who praised the strong Egyptian delegation and the competitive quality of the group’s products. The ambassador affirmed the embassy’s commitment to supporting Egyptian exporters by facilitating market access, identifying trade opportunities, and helping overcome regulatory and operational challenges
ElSebaie noted that the group’s team focused on analyzing competitors and their countries of origin, assessing packaging formats and their alignment with local consumer preferences, and monitoring actual consumption behavior. These insights will allow the company to fine-tune its pasta, flour and food concentrate offerings to better match market demand in Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire: A Strategic Gateway to West Africa
According to ElSebaie, Côte d’Ivoire is one of the largest and most dynamic markets in West Africa, supported by strong consumption levels and advanced distribution networks. Establishing a presence in Abidjan provides Egyptian products with broader access to regional markets within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), positioning the trade mission as a strategic entry point for wider African expansion
He added that the group’s participation aligns with its long-term strategy to expand across African markets, capitalizing on rapid population growth, increasing food demand, and Egypt’s competitive edge in product quality and cost efficiency
Trade Missions as a Low-Risk Export Catalyst
ElSebaie emphasized that trade missions organized by the Export Council serve as a practical and effective export tool, significantly reducing risk. These missions are preceded by preparatory studies that allow companies to directly assess pricing levels, profit margins and consumer behavior, rather than relying solely on theoretical data or intermediaries. This enables exporters to develop more realistic pricing, packaging and distribution strategies
Through this mission, the Egyptian Swiss Group aims to strengthen the “Made in Egypt” brand across African markets and integrate Egyptian products into sustainable regional supply chains
New Partnerships and Export Agreements Ahead
ElSebaie revealed that the coming days will witness intensified meetings with local importers and distributors in Abidjan, paving the way for new commercial partnerships and export agreements. These deals are expected to support the group’s export growth while reinforcing Egypt’s role as a regional hub for food industries in Africa
A Strong Export Player
The Egyptian Swiss Group currently accounts for 15% of Egypt’s flour exports and 10% of its pasta exports, positioning it as one of the country’s leading exporters in this strategic sector
Integrated Industrial Platform
Founded in 1995, the Egyptian Swiss Group is among Egypt’s leading industrial entities in pasta, milling and food concentrates, with total investments exceeding EGP 5 billion. Its integrated production platform includes a pasta factory with a capacity of 8,000 tons per month, two flour mills producing 30,000 tons per month, a tomato paste plant with 3,000 tons per month, and wheat silos with a storage capacity of 50,000 tons, employing more than 700 professionals
Exports to Over 50 Countries
The group generates annual revenues exceeding EGP 5 billion, with exports surpassing USD 50 million to more than 50 countries. Over 80% of total production is exported to markets across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States, supported by international quality certifications and full compliance with global standards