Ambassador Yousef Al Balawi presents credentials in Porto-Novo as Riyadh seeks to deepen ties with West African neighbour

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Yousef Al Balawi, has assumed an expanded diplomatic role after being accredited as Saudi Arabia’s non-resident ambassador to the Republic of Benin, a move that reflects Riyadh’s continued engagement with West Africa.

Ambassador Al Balawi presented his letters of credence to Benin’s President, Romuald Wadagni, during an official ceremony in Porto-Novo, formally assuming responsibility for representing the Kingdom’s diplomatic interests in the neighbouring country while continuing his posting in Abuja.

During the ceremony, the ambassador conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to President Wadagni.

Ambassador Al Balawi also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding relations with Benin, expressing the Kingdom’s readiness to deepen cooperation and explore new areas of partnership for the mutual benefit of both countries.

President Wadagni, in response, conveyed his greetings to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while reaffirming Benin’s commitment to broadening bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia.

The Beninese leader also expressed his country’s readiness to expand collaboration with the Kingdom across a range of sectors, underscoring a shared interest in strengthening diplomatic and development cooperation.

As a non-resident ambassador, Al Balawi will continue to serve as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Nigeria from Abuja while overseeing the Kingdom’s diplomatic engagement with Benin, a common arrangement that enables countries to maintain bilateral representation without establishing a resident embassy.

The additional accreditation means Ambassador Al Balawi will continue to serve from Abuja while overseeing Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic relations with Benin, reflecting the Kingdom’s continued engagement with West Africa.