African diplomat praises Kuwait’s funding worth US$four billion in Africa

December 5, 2019

A press conference by the diplomats from the African embassies was held today at the Crowne Plaza to launch the fifty-sixth (56^th) anniversary of celebrations of Africa Day that commemorates the establishment of the Pan-African Organization, the African Union, an intergovernmental organization in 2002. The aim of the organization is to promote unity and solidarity of African states, to spur economic development, and to promote international cooperation. The African Union (AU) replaced the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

According to the Senegalese Ambassador, the Africa Day celebrations will fall on Sunday, 8 December 2019.

Addressing the gathering at the press conference, Senegalese Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Abdulahad Ambaki lauded the vital role of Kuwait in supporting Africa via the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), which financed 324 projects worth about US$ four billion.

Ambassador Ambaki pointed out that KFAED established strong ties with Africa under the wise directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah by financing projects and programs under the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) and AGENDA 2063 initiatives.. He expressed hope for more cooperation for the Kuwaiti private sector to invest in Africa. The African Union has witnessed many challenges and changes since its inception, although Africa survived to prove to the world that the people on their own could achieve much, added Ambassador Ambaki.

Pointing out that Africa is rich in resources, such as agriculture and natural resources, he admitted that the country is facing many constraints in terms of improving the living conditions of its inhabitants, thereby encouraging some youth to leave the continent and explore far destinations with the hope of realizing their dreams.

The African Development Bank and the Arab African International Bank as well as number of committees have helped to promote peace, security and development in the continent, said the Senegalese ambassador. In addition, during the 50th anniversary of the formation of the African Union in 2013, the union adopted the African Development Strategy Vision 2063, which includes seven aspirations for a better future for younger generations. Kuwait is in constant steps to achieve 2035 agenda, under the directives of His Highness the Amir in 2017, he noted. “The African Agenda 2063 aspirations include implementing vast projects, such as integrated network of high-speed rail, virtual African university and the establishment of a market for air transport,” revealed Ambassador Ambaki.

He called upon the Kuwait private sector to work for the growing level of interest and investment in Africa.

On his part, Egypt’s Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Tariq Al-Qouni said that the celebration of Africa Day this year has a special impact on every Egyptian especially since the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will officially take over the post of ceremonial head of the African Union. “The African Union has witnessed a number of regional and international achievements that have contributed to the development within the framework of Egyptian President directives’ to continue to expand cooperation between world and Africa,” he added.

“Egypt has supported infrastructure projects in Africa, especially the Cairo-Cape Town Highway and seeks to Nile River rehabilitation, to increase trade volume with the Nile river basin countries,” he noted. In medical field, Al-Qouni said that numerous initiatives have been launched to promote public health in Africa.