QC Explores Stronger Trade and Investment Ties With Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso

Qatar Chamber (QC) Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani held high-level talks on Tuesday with the ambassadors of Mali and Niger, as well as the Chargé d’Affaires of Burkina Faso, to explore ways of enhancing economic, trade and investment cooperation between Qatar and the three West African nations.

The meeting, held at the chamber’s headquarters in Doha, was attended by HE Didio Othman Sidibe, ambassador of Mali Qatar; HE Amadou Madoukou, ambassador of Niger to Qatar; and Amidou Coulibaly, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Burkina Faso. Also present was Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Obaidli, a member of the Qatar Chamber Board of Directors.

Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the commercial and economic sectors, while highlighting the vast investment opportunities available in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The participants also reviewed the investment climate in the three countries and explored mechanisms to encourage greater private-sector engagement between Qatar and the West African nations.

The meeting underscored the shared commitment of all sides to expand economic partnerships and foster stronger business-to-business relations, in line with the growing economic cooperation between the State of Qatar and African countries.

During the discussions, the ambassadors stressed their countries’ strong desire to deepen trade relations with Qatar and attract greater Qatari investments across key sectors that offer significant growth potential. They particularly highlighted industrial development and livestock as strategic areas where Qatari investors could play an important role in supporting sustainable economic development while benefiting from promising investment prospects.

The diplomats noted that their respective governments are committed to creating an enabling environment for foreign investors by offering incentives, facilitating investment procedures and encouraging partnerships with international businesses. They emphasized that enhanced cooperation with Qatar would contribute to economic diversification, job creation and sustainable development in their countries.

For his part, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani reaffirmed the Qatari private sector’s increasing interest in expanding its presence across the African continent, describing Africa as an emerging destination offering considerable investment opportunities across various sectors.

He said Qatari businessmen are keen to gain deeper insight into the investment landscape in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, including the opportunities available, the legislative frameworks governing investment, and the incentives provided by the three countries to foreign investors.

The Qatar Chamber Chairman also emphasised the chamber’s commitment to supporting stronger economic relations between Qatar and African countries by facilitating communication between business communities, exchanging trade information and encouraging reciprocal business visits and investment missions.

The meeting reflected the chamber’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Qatar’s international economic partnerships and create new avenues for cooperation with emerging markets, particularly in Africa, where sectors such as agriculture, livestock, manufacturing, mining and infrastructure continue to offer attractive opportunities for international investors.

The discussions concluded with both sides expressing optimism that continued dialogue and closer collaboration between the public and private sectors would pave the way for increased trade exchanges, joint ventures and long-term investment partnerships, contributing to the economic prosperity of Qatar and the three West African nations.