Some Aspects of Assistance from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Russia to African Countries

This article presents a comparative analysis of the motives, mechanisms, and effectiveness of Official Development Assistance (ODA) provided to African countries by three non-Western donors increasing their influence on the continent: the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and Russia. The study's relevance stems from Africa's acute development challenges, political instability, and climate risks, generating a need for external support to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The theoretical framework integrates the concept of ODA and securitization theory, applied to interpret aid motives through a security lens. The methodology employs comparative analysis of ODA data, reports from national funds, and international organizations. The scientific novelty lies in the comparative assessment of the three donors' current strategies. The authors conclude that while ODA contributes to addressing African challenges, the donor states pursue their own geopolitical and economic interests, utilizing aid as a soft power instrument, with significant variations in their underlying motivations and priorities.

Africa, Russia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Official Development Assistance (ODA), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), geopolitics, soft power