AU Desires More Investments, Trade Between Africa, Arab Nations

The Arab nations have been urged by the African Union (AU) to redouble their trade and investment pledges throughout the continent.

This appeal is in line with the Nigerian government’s continuous initiatives to draw in foreign capital from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

This request was made by Mr. Moussa Faki, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, during the 33rd Arab Summit in Bahrain, which came to an end on May 16, 2024.

The meeting underscored the need of fortifying economic connections between Africa and the Arab world, drawing together prominent players from many Arabian nations.

In his address, Mr. Faki highlighted the significant role that Arab countries can play in advancing joint Arab-African initiatives and realizing the mutual priorities and ambitions of both regions.

He emphasized the historical context of the Africa-Arab partnership, which was first ratified in 1977 to serve as a framework for economic collaboration between the two regions. Currently, nine African states, including Egypt and Morocco, are part of the Arab League.

Mr. Faki’s call for increased Arab investment comes at a time when Africa is seeking more economic opportunities to boost its development.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions are some of the wealthiest in the world regarding natural resources, holding over 60 percent of the world’s proven oil reserves, according to a World Bank report. The report also notes that oil accounts for about 85 percent of the merchandise exports from the Arabian region.

The AU Chairperson acknowledged the efforts of various financial institutions, including the Islamic Development Bank, the Arab African Development Bank, and the Arab Finance and Development Funds, in supporting development across Africa over the past five decades. These collaborations have significantly contributed to the continent’s progress in various sectors.

Despite these efforts, Mr. Faki pointed out that the current level of Arab investment in Africa does not fully reflect the potential and depth of the relationship between the two regions.

He stressed the need for Arab countries to enhance their economic investments in Africa to achieve more substantial and impactful development outcomes.

He stated, “I have repeatedly expressed Africa’s desire to revitalize this partnership for the good of the peoples and countries of the two regions. I have always unequivocally stated that our partnership, in its current state, does not rise to the level of those historical relations and various dimensions.

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“We are all required to have better cohesion to avoid imbalance and advance our partnership around our shared priorities in investment, infrastructure, economic integration, trade, environment, food sufficiency, modern technologies, and to boost solidarity in international forums around our common issues and concerns.”

Bahrain King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who presided over the summit, read out the  Bahrain Declaration approved by the  League of Arab States at the summit.

The declaration showed that Arab states pledged to strategic economic relations with Africa at the global level.

“Recognising the strategic importance of the Arab nation at the global level, its economic potential and human resources, and the need to create conditions for enhanced cooperation, building economic partnerships and achieving comprehensive development based on common interests and mutual benefits, in order to meet the aspirations of our Arab peoples and achieve growth and prosperity,” the declaration partly reads.