We report the discovery of the first symbiotic star ( V = 21.6 , K _ { S } = 15.8 mag ) in the Local Group dwarf irregular galaxy NGC 6822 .
This star was identified during a spectral survey of H \alpha emission-line objects using the Southern African Large Telescope ( SALT ) during its performance-verification phase .
The observed strong emission lines of H i and He ii suggest a high electron density and T ^ { * } < 130 000 Â K for the hot companion .
The infrared colours allow us to classify this object as an S-type symbiotic star , comprising a red giant losing mass to a compact companion .
The red giant is an AGB carbon star , and a semi-regular variable , pulsating in the first overtone with a period of 142 days .
Its bolometric magnitude is M _ { bol } = -4.4 mag .

We review what is known about the luminosities of extragalactic symbiotic stars , showing that most , possibly all , contain AGB stars .
We suggest that a much larger fraction of Galactic symbiotic stars may contain AGB stars than was previously realised .