Accepted Paper
Paper short abstract
Saudi Arabia-West Africa relations have evolved toward a more diversified development partnership in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. This paper traces that shift and positions Saudi–West Africa relations as a case for rethinking post-Western development partnerships amid declining global aid.
Paper long abstract
Saudi Arabia’s engagement in West Africa has evolved significantly since the 1960s. The last few decades have seen a shift from primarily religious and humanitarian outreach toward more diversified forms of development cooperation. Against the backdrop of aid retrenchment and the waning sustainability of traditional development finance, Saudi Arabia offers a useful case for examining alternatives to traditional partnerships dominated by the United States, Europe, and China. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature on Saudi–West Africa relations, tracing three key phases: the formative period of religious and humanitarian assistance (1960s–1990s), the expansion into infrastructure and education partnerships (2000s–2010s), and the post-2015 alignment with Vision 2030’s economic and geopolitical objectives. It critically engages with how existing scholarship frames Saudi engagement while highlighting gaps in analysis on non-religious sectors, aid effectiveness, and recipient country agency. By situating Saudi–West Africa relations within broader debates on alternatives to development finance in an era of shrinking aid flows, the paper underscores both the opportunities and risks of emerging modalities of partnership.
The post-aid retrenchment era and equitable partnerships in development: Reclaiming southern power and agency