Ultimately two factors predominated. One was the fragmented nature of African and Arab political terrains, the internecine fighting and rivalries in both camps exaggerated by their feeble and fledgling democratic institutions. Moreover, the Arab media has done precious little to dispel the notion that there is little profitable trade with an economically ruined and underdeveloped Africa ravaged by war, a health crisis and insurmountable social problems. Some Africans have openly raised the issue of Arab compensation for past injustices, demanding reparations for the devastating impact of the medieval Arab slave trade on countries south of the Sahara. Long gone are the days when African countries held out a begging bowl to Arabs, breaking off diplomatic relations with Israel in anticipation of Arab largesse.
Today there is a common perception that Arab and African economies are uniquely complementary.
African countries would like to see more Arab investments come their way, especially in the domains of agriculture, tourism and infrastructural development. Other areas of possible cooperation include culture and education. An institutionalised framework for Arab-African cooperation should make them happen.