Center East’s largest Arab economic system says it has supplied $145 billion in international assist, with India, Egypt, Nigeria and Yemen amongst beneficiaries
Middle East’s largest Arab economy says it has provided $145 billion in global aid. Discovery.BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP
- Saudi Arabia has provided over $145 billion in humanitarian and development aid to 175 countries, with Egypt, Yemen, and Pakistan as the top beneficiaries.
- The aid covers humanitarian relief, infrastructure, education, and financial support, especially in regions affected by conflict and economic hardship.
- African nations have received nearly $49 billion, with Egypt, Somalia, and Sudan receiving the largest shares.
- Saudi officials emphasize the need for combined public, private, and local efforts to ensure sustainable development beyond humanitarian grants..
The figures were announced during a World Economic Forum session in Brussels, Belgium, where Saudi Arabia outlined the scale of its international humanitarianand development assistance.
According to Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah, adviser to the Saudi Royal Court and supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), the centre has implemented more than 4,000 humanitarian projects worth over $8.5 billion across 113 countries.
The broader $145 billion figure includes humanitarian and development assistance provided through other Saudi institutions.
Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the Arab
Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the Arab world and among the world’s 20 largest economies, has an estimated economic output of $1.34 trillion in 2026.
Its international assistance covers humanitarian relief, infrastructure development, education and financial support across the Middle East, Asia and Africa, including countries affected by conflict and economic difficulties.
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According to figures from the Saudi Aid Platform,
According to figures from the Saudi Aid Platform, Egypt is the largest recorded recipient of Saudi assistance globally, having received $32.5 billion.
Yemen ranks second with $29.05 billion, despite years of conflict following Saudi Arabia’s military intervention against the Houthi movement in 2015, which contributed to a prolonged humanitarian crisis.
Pakistan, which signed a strategic mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia in September 2025, follows in third place with $13.37 billion.
India, another major Asian partner of Saudi Arabia,
Meanwhile, India, another major Asian partner of Saudi Arabia, has received $208.59 million across 39 projects, including $118.46 million for energy, $48.52 million for transport and $40.29 million for education.
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Africa has received nearly $49 billion in recorded Saudi assistance, with Egypt accounting for the largest share of the continent’s total.
Beyond Egypt, Saudi Arabia has financed humanitarian programmes
Beyond Egypt, Saudi Arabia has financed humanitarian programmes in several African countries affected by armed conflict, displacement and economic difficulties.
KSrelief records show that Somalia has received $258.18 million across 168 projects, while war-torn Sudan, whose $1.5 billion arms deal with Pakistan was suspended following Saudi objections, has received $197.93 million through 294 projects.
Other beneficiaries include Chad with $35.91 million, Nigeria with $31.12 million, and the military-led governments of Niger and Burkina Faso, whose countries have received $24.79 million and $20.44 million, respectively.
Speaking at the forum, Al Rabeeah also called
Speaking at the forum, Al Rabeeah also called for greater cooperation between governments, international financial institutions and private investors to increase development financing in countries facing humanitarian and economic challenges.
He said humanitarian grants alone could not meet long-term development needs and urged institutions to combine public financing, private investment and locally led programmes to support economic recovery.
Source: africa.businessinsider.com
