First-ever Saudi-African Summit and the $5 billion pledge
Leaders from 50 Middle Eastern and African nations convened in Riyadh for the inaugural Saudi-African Summit, focusing on political coordination, regional security, economic transformation, and investment cooperation.
The event came after the Saudi-Arab African Economic Summit where the Saudi Fund for Development announced it would sign agreements worth 2 billion riyals ($533 million) with African countries.
African heads of state in attendance
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, interim President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania, President Prithvirajsing Roopun of Mauritius, President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania and Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine of Niger were among the African leaders in attendance.
Key discussions and regional issues
The leaders engaged in discussions on military unrest in countries like Palestine and Sudan. Chad's President Mahamat Idriss Deby expressed the need for resolution, citing displaced Sudanese citizens receiving support in Chad.
“I take this opportunity to mention that there are a lot of displaced citizens of Sudan (in Chad) and we have called multiple times to resolve the issue and Chad is providing the necessary support," he is quoted by reporters.
The summit addressed economic development, trade, and investment opportunities aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The Saudi Development Fund pledged SAR18.75 billion ($5 billion) for African development projects until 2030, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
African leaders' remarks
Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council expressed Sudan’s support for the Saudi-African partnership, highlighting Sudan's geographical significance.
He said, “Sudan will always be a supporter of the Saudi-African partnership, benefiting from its geographical location that links the continent of Africa with the Horn of Arabia, and we are happy for the partnership and look forward to its success."
President Deby of Chad also called for mutual development support and partnerships across various sectors.
“I call upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and African nations to support development for the mutual benefit of all countries and forge partnerships based on mutual interests and respect of all parties in various areas, whether these be political, economic, trade, humanitarian or environmental,” he said.
Landmark agreements and collaborations
Over 50 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed, spanning tourism, finance, energy, renewable energy, mining, transportation, agriculture, and more. Cooperation deals with Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, and Ivory Coast were among the notable agreements.
Formation of working groups
Four working groups were established in politics and military, trade and investment, culture and education, and humanitarian and health. These groups are scheduled to commence operations within six months post-summit, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
