PM Abiy affirms Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthen Saudi-Africa relations

Addis Ababa, November 10, 2023 (FBC) – Addressing the Saudi-Arica Summit, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) stated that for the last several decades, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Africa’s development has found practical expression through the Saudi Fund for Development and other financial institutions contributing to social and economic development in the continent.

Efforts for the continent’s development through investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture, health and education are commendable, the Premier noted.

Africa is now laying the foundation for continental integration deploying its resources as enshrined in its agenda 2063. Africa is making significant strides to ensuring its economic sovereignty. 

Prime Minister Abiy added that through synergy with Saudi’s Vision 2030, the hopes for Saudi-Africa Cooperation in investment, trade and mutual economic development are significant.

“Global supply chain disruptions have undoubtedly had a great effect on the African continent. Hence, continental food security and food sovereignty has become an ever more important agenda,” Premier stressed.

“For Ethiopia, the agriculture sector is one of the five key pillars and drivers of development. In our national wheat initiative, we have increased yields by cultivating over 6 million hectares of land twice a year,” the Prime Minister pointed out.

“A year ago, we also launched a massive undertaking to encourage both large and small scale poultry, dairy, livestock farming as well as urban agriculture through a national initiative we call the ‘Bounty of the Basket.’ 

We see synergy with Saudi Arabian Agricultural food sufficiency aspirations and propose to deepen cooperation on food security and food sovereignty by challenging our respective potentials and strengths, the Premier said. 

“Hence, allocating more resources, capital and investments in pursuit of transforming the agriculture sector in Africa,  encouraging Saudi enterprises to participate in agriculture, investments and cooperation in agro processing and agri businesses programs will be mutually beneficial,” he said.

The Middle East Green Initiative led by Saudi Arabia aimed at combating climate change is in line with Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative that is going regional through green diplomacy efforts, according to the Prime Minister who called for collaboration in this regard.

“Since 2019, Ethiopia has been taking practical measures in contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Through this massive afforestation program which mobilizes more than 25 million citizens annually, we have planted 32.5 billion seedlings,” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed explained. 

Ethiopia is fully committed to work with Saudi Arabia in close collaboration for mutual development of our two countries and strengthening of Saudi-Africa relations.