The Future of Saudi Arabia in Africa: A Strategic Vision

The first Saudi Arabia-Africa summit was recently held in Riyadh, where several African heads of state accepted King Salmane ben Abdelaziz Al Saud’s invitation to attend. Memorandums of understanding and development loan agreements were signed between the kingdom and a dozen African countries through the Saudi Fund for Development (SDF). This signals Saudi Arabia’s determination to catch up on the African continent.

Hicheme Lehmici, geopolitical expert and Secretary of the Geneva International Peace Research Institute (GIPRI), believes that “Saudi Arabia has a very advanced, very powerful long-term strategic vision, and Africa is an integral part of this vision.”

This growing interest in Africa by Saudi Arabia is not new, as the kingdom has been investing in the continent for some time. However, the recent summit and agreements demonstrate a renewed commitment to expanding its presence and influence in Africa.

One example of this commitment is the trade cooperation between Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which aims to strengthen economic partnerships for mutual growth. Under the patronage of the two heads of state, Luanda hosted the second ANGOLA-DRC economic forum, focused on enhancing trade relations.

Another development worth noting is the upcoming COP28 climate summit hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Many oil and gas companies, including those from Saudi Arabia, will be present at the conference. While these companies claim to be part of the transition to renewable energies, their commitment has been called into question. An examination of their investments in green energy and their annual reports casts doubt on their true dedication to the green transition.

Overall, Saudi Arabia’s strategic vision for Africa highlights its increasing interest and involvement in the continent’s development and trade opportunities. The kingdom’s investments and partnerships in Africa will likely continue to grow, shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s presence in the region.