Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry left for Nigeria on Thursday to take part in the inauguration ceremony of newly-elected president Muhammadu Buhari, the spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said.

The participation reflects the big interest Egypt attaches to fostering cooperation with African countries, he said.

Nigeria is a key African nation that plays an important role in the continent, especially in western Africa region, the spokesman said.

The participation also reflects growing relations between Egypt and Nigeria, he said.