APA – Kigali (Rwanda) – Rwandan President Paul Kagame is among a group of African leaders who have arrived in the Kingdom for the Saudi-Africa summit set to start on Friday.
The inaugural Saudi-African Summit will be held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre, Saudi Arabia. Organizers say leaders from 50 nations throughout the Middle East and Africa will gather for the Summit.
The inaugural Saudi-Africa summit aims to enhance political coordination, address regional security threats, promote economic transformation through research and the local development of new energy solutions, and boost investment cooperation.
Saudi and African officials hope the meeting will lead to a long-term partnership between the Kingdom and the African Union, particularly capitalizing on pre-existing economic, cultural, and diplomatic relations while setting out to forge new ones.
The summit comes at a time when the Saudi Arabia Kingdom continues to cement its footprint on the continent.
The relationship between Africa and Saudi Arabia has evolved significantly since its inception, expanding into various sectors beyond its initial focus on the Hajj pilgrimage.
The partnership now encompasses sustainable development, trade, investment, education, health, sports, culture, agriculture, mining, and oil and gas.
Another example of cooperation is Saudi Arabia supporting African states in their fight against terrorism and organized crime and strengthening cooperation in poverty eradication in the continent.
CU/abj/APA