Africa-Gulf Partnership Vital for Growth, Investment and Economic Transformation, Officials Say

Addis Ababa, July 22, 2026 (FMC) — Stronger cooperation between African and Gulf countries is critical to advancing inclusive growth, attracting investment, and accelerating economic transformation across both regions, officials and experts said at a high-level dialogue held in Addis Ababa.

The event, organized under the Gulf–Africa Strategic Partnership Initiative (GASP), brought together policymakers, diplomats, investors, researchers, and development practitioners to explore practical ways of translating investment commitments into tangible development outcomes.

Speaking at the dialogue, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadera Abera said Africa and the Gulf are entering a new phase of strategic partnership as both regions pursue ambitious economic transformation agendas.

He noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has established the world’s largest free trade area by membership, is creating new opportunities for trade, industrialization, and investment, while Gulf nations continue to advance far-reaching economic diversification programs.

Hadera stressed that Africa is increasingly being viewed not merely as an investment destination but as a strategic partner, with cooperation expanding beyond traditional trade to encompass infrastructure, logistics, renewable energy, manufacturing, agriculture, finance, technology, and food security.

The state minister emphasized that realizing the full potential of the partnership will require stronger institutions, better project preparation, innovative financing mechanisms, and effective implementation. He reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to regional integration and economic diplomacy, underscoring that the success of the initiative must ultimately be measured through concrete and measurable results.

Director General for Europe and American Affairs at the Institute of Foreign Affairs, Shimelis Hailu, said the dialogue comes at a time when shifting global economic and geopolitical dynamics are creating new opportunities and responsibilities for emerging economies.

He highlighted Ethiopia’s homegrown economic reform agenda, saying it is designed to expand investment, deepen regional integration, enhance industrial productivity, and strengthen the country’s position as a gateway to African markets.

According to Shimelis, the future of Gulf–Africa relations should be assessed not by the volume of announced investments, but by their impact in creating jobs, transferring knowledge, building institutions, and strengthening economic resilience.

He added that the dialogue offers a platform to examine how Gulf investment models can better support Africa’s structural transformation through stronger institutional, financial, and policy frameworks capable of converting commitments into successful projects.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gravitas Sovereign and Strategic Advisory, Anousmane Camara, said Africa’s rapidly growing population, expanding investment opportunities, and abundant strategic mineral resources provide a strong basis for deeper cooperation with Gulf countries.

He noted that Africa’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, making it increasingly important to strengthen domestic resource mobilization while attracting greater private-sector investment.

Camara said the Gulf–Africa Strategic Partnership Initiative is intended to institutionalize strategic dialogue, align investment priorities, and promote long-term diplomatic engagement between the two regions. Building trust through diplomacy, he said, is essential to unlocking large-scale capital flows that can support Africa’s economic transformation.

ODI Global Advisory Director Sasha Kapadia said enhanced Gulf–Africa cooperation should complement existing international partnerships rather than replace them.

She stressed the need to address barriers that slow investment, pursue institutional reforms, and establish risk-sharing mechanisms that can accelerate project implementation.

Kapadia added that the Addis Ababa dialogue, alongside regional consultations held in Rabat, Johannesburg, and Accra, will help shape discussions ahead of the inaugural GASP Summit scheduled to take place in Abidjan.

The high-level dialogue was jointly organized by Ethiopia’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, Gravitas Sovereign and Strategic Advisory, and ODI Global Advisory.