Africa – Arab Summit ends with a commitment to economic cooperation

Africa – Arab Summit ends with a commitment to economic cooperation

PresidentsKagame, Kenyatta and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia share a light moment after meeting on the sidelines of the 3rd Africa-Arab Summit

The two- day Africa Arab Summit ended on Wednesday with leaders from Africa and the Arab world agreeing to strengthen ties between the two continents.

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame was among the leaders who convened for the meeting that paved ways for an endorsement of $1 billion of investment in Africa with particular emphasis on infrastructure.

Rwanda is one of the African countries that are enjoying a good bilateral relationship with the Arab countries, especially Kuwait- which has so far agreed to finance health and energy projects in Nyaruguru and Rusizi respectively.

Rwanda has benefited from Kuwait support and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development signed a loan agreement worth $12 million to contribute to the construction of a major hospital in Munini, Nyaruguru district, in the southern province of Rwanda.

The loan is the ninth provided to Rwanda after loans worth a total of $73 million, along with a technical assistance grant worth $340,000.

Third Africa-Arab Summit in Kuwait city held discussions on the economic development in the two regions.

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the African Union, (AU) Commission chairperson, defined the summit as one of the initiatives that will ensure Africa’s prosperity.

“As Africa celebrates its Golden Jubilee, we are determined to bequeath to the next generations a continent that is integrated, peaceful and prosperous; she said “We are determined to make the positive trajectory that we are currently on irreversible and to build an Africa that takes its rightful place,”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, committed to strengthening economic cooperation between the two regions:

“This summit reflects our awareness of the importance of economic cooperation. Our strategic partnership can only be realized by work, integration and friendship.”

President Kagame also took time to hold bilateral meetings with President Sasou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo and a multilateral meeting with President Kenyatta of Kenya, Dr Dlamini-Zuma, Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalign of Ethiopia, and Uganda’s Foreign minister Sam Kutesa.