The Saudi-Africa summit which brought together African leaders in Riyadh on Friday discussed a range of subjects, including economic partnerships, the Palestinian cause and support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup, according to the event’s official declaration.
More than 50 heads of state from the Middle East and Africa attended the summit, which sought ways to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Chad’s President Mahamat Deby.
The first subject on the declaration is the Palestinian crisis, where thousands have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, in retaliation for the October 7 attack by Hamas, which killed 1,200 people in Israel.
According to Arab News, President Tinubu expressed concern about the situation in Gaza, praised Saudi’s commitment to protecting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and stated Nigeria’s support for a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Security
The declaration said the meeting discussed the need to protect civilians and stressed the “necessity of ending the real cause of the conflict represented by the Israeli occupation, and the importance of intensifying efforts to reach a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with the principle of the two-state solution, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the relevant international legitimacy resolutions, in a way that guarantees the Palestinian people their right to establish their independent state on the borders of 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
They agreed to address the situation of refugees, illegal immigration, human trafficking and maritime piracy in such a manner that contributes to the development and stability of the African countries, combating cross-border crimes in all their forms and manifestations, and enhancing such measures in such a way that achieves security and stability for the countries and their peoples.
They highlighted Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the Focus Group on the African affairs relating to the International Coalition against ISIS, along with the United States of America, Morocco, Italy and Niger.
Economy
On economy, the leaders discussed exploring investment opportunities in light of Saudi’s Vision 2030, as Saudi investments in the African continent expected to reach more than $25 billion.
“The Saudi Development Fund will finance development projects on the African continent until 2030, at a cost of about SAR18.75 billion ($5 billion). Equally important, exports from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the African continent will also be financed and provided until 2030, at a cost of about SAR37.5 ($10 billion),” the declaration said.
The leaders of African countries affirmed their support for the Kingdom’s candidacy to host Expo 2030 in the city of Riyadh, and for making every effort to support this candidacy.
They also welcomed Saudi Arabia’s candidacy to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
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