OIC, Kuwait Fund Sign Landmark Grant Agreement to Boost Development in Africa

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development have signed a landmark Grant Agreement aimed at promoting science and technology in Africa. The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, at the Fund’s Headquarters in Kuwait City.

The Agreement was signed on behalf of the OIC General Secretariat by H.E. Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokher, Assistant Secretary-General for Science and Technology, and on behalf of the Kuwait Fund by H.E. Mr. Waleed Al-Bahar, Acting Director General.

In his remarks, H.E. Ambassador Khokher lauded the growing strategic partnership between the OIC and the Kuwait Fund, describing it as a testament to shared development priorities and values grounded in solidarity, cooperation, and collective progress. He underscored that the grant will provide a significant boost to OIC-led programs across Africa in the fields of science and technology initiatives that aim to expand educational opportunities, strengthen healthcare systems, ensure food and water security, empower women, and support entrepreneurship.

“These are critical building blocks for achieving resilience, prosperity, and inclusive growth in our least developed Member States,” Ambassador Khokher emphasized.

For his part, H.E. Mr. Al-Bahar hailed the Agreement and said it marks the beginning of a potentially longstanding cooperation between the Kuwait Fund and the OIC. He reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to further strengthening collaboration, particularly in the areas of education, science and technology, and other fields of shared interest.

Prior to the signing, Ambassador Khokher and Mr. Al-Bahar held bilateral discussions to explore new avenues for partnership and exchange views on common development priorities.