The early Oligocene “Podocnemis” fajumensis and the early Miocene “Podocnemis” aegyptiaca are twopodocnemidid turtles from northern Egypt, defined more than a century ago.Their identification as representatives of the South American genusPodocnemis cannot currently be supported. Relatively limited information on bothspecies was available. In fact, no photograph on the shell of either of themhas been published so far, and the type material of both is currently lost.Shell remains of almost 15 specimens of “Podocnemis” fajumensis are analyzed here, includinga complete carapace and two complete plastra. A neotype is designated herefor the species. An artificial mold of the holotype of “Podocnemis” aegyptiaca is identified,corresponding to its holoplastotype. Both “Podocnemis” fajumensis and “Podocnemis” aegyptiaca are confirmed as validspecies, attributable to Erymnochelyini, a clade currently exclusivelyrepresented by the Malagasy Erymnochelys madagascariensis. A new diagnosis is proposed for each of theseextinct species, including both autapomorphies and a unique combination ofcharacters. They are attributed to two new genera, corresponding to theoldest defined for the African record of Erymnochelyini. Thus, the newcombinations Shetwemys fajumensis (http://zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/B4805343-8533-4DA7-808B-BB972D4471CB,urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:B4805343-8533-4DA7-808B-BB972D4471CB) and Apeshemys aegyptiaca (http://zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/43DD73CF-AAED-47A0-9FFB-EB6CFB80D389,urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:43DD73CF-AAED-47A0-9FFB-EB6CFB80D389) are proposed.