Gulf–Africa Strategic Partnership Initiative (GASPI)

A Bridge Across the Red Sea

Renewing Centuries of Connection Between Africa and the Gulf

For generations, the Red Sea has united Africa and the Gulf — a corridor of faith, trade, and shared destiny. GASPI 2025 revives this historic bond, transforming cultural and spiritual ties into engines of modern cooperation. From commerce to compassion, this initiative builds the bridge where shared heritage meets shared opportunity.

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Where Vision Meets Partnership

Driving Economic, Humanitarian, and Cultural Collaboration

GASPI 2025 is more than a conference — it’s a platform of action. Through high-level dialogues, investment forums, and humanitarian alliances, African and Gulf leaders will shape concrete outcomes in trade, energy, food security, and development. Together, we turn strategic vision into tangible progress, laying the foundation for a decade of shared growth.

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One Mission, One Future

The African–Gulf Partnership Mission

Hosted across Riyadh, Al-Qassim, Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah, this historic mission unites government, business, and civil society in a journey of purpose and faith. Through dialogue, Umrah, and cultural exchange, GASPI 2025 affirms a collective commitment — to transform shared history into shared futures, and to make the Africa–Gulf partnership a global model of South–South cooperation.

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Background & Rationale

Africa and the Gulf region are bound by centuries of history, culture, and faith. The Red Sea has never been a barrier but a bridge, linking African and Arab societies through commerce, migration, pilgrimage, and cultural exchange. Today, as both regions face rapid transformation, there is a unique opportunity to renew and deepen these bonds in ways that drive prosperity, peace, and shared development.

Economic & Trade Context

Trade between Africa and the Gulf has grown steadily, reaching an estimated $80–100 billion annually in recent years, with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar among the leading Gulf investors on the continent.
Gulf countries are increasingly investing in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and logistics, aligning with Africa’s need for capital-intensive development projects.
Africa’s Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)—covering 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of over $3.4 trillion—creates unprecedented opportunities for Gulf investors seeking long-term partnerships.
Gulf nations, through diversification strategies such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE Centennial 2071, are looking to expand their global economic reach, with Africa positioned as a strategic partner in food security, renewable energy, and emerging markets.

Humanitarian & Development Linkages

Beyond trade, Gulf countries remain among the largest humanitarian and development donors in Africa. From healthcare and education to emergency relief, Gulf institutions—governmental and non-governmental—play a pivotal role in supporting Africa’s social development agenda. Strengthening coordination ensures that aid and investments create sustainable, long-term impact.

Cultural & Religious Bonds

Shared cultural and religious heritage further cements Africa–Gulf ties:

Millions of African Muslims travel annually for Hajj and Umrah, forging people-to-people links that go beyond diplomacy and economics.
Cities like Makkah and Madinah are central to African spiritual life, while African scholars and leaders historically influenced Islamic thought in the Gulf.
This mission’s inclusion of Umrah and Madinah visits honors these deep spiritual connections and provides a unique setting for reflection, networking, and building trust.

Why 2025?

The year 2025 marks a strategic juncture:

Africa’s youth population will surpass 500 million, creating both a challenge and an opportunity for jobs, education, and innovation.
Gulf nations are accelerating their economic diversification, seeking reliable partners for investment, trade, and food security.
Global South cooperation is gaining momentum, and Africa–Gulf collaboration can stand as a model of South–South partnership for the coming decade.

Against this backdrop, GASPI 2025 is not just a conference, but a movement to transform shared history into shared futures.

Key Outcomes

Event Organizers

DELEGATES

Join Global Leaders

The Gulf–Africa Strategic Partnership Initiative (GASPI) 2025 will bring together a select group of leaders, institutions, and organizations from Africa and the Gulf.

JOIN THE MISSION

The Gulf–Africa Strategic Partnership Initiative (GASPI) 2025 seeks to create a premier, recurring platform that unites Africa and the Gulf in advancing shared economic, humanitarian, and cultural goals.

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