Safira engages Saudi Arabia’s Expo 2030 leadership on Nigerian pavilion, Africa participation

Safira, a corporate event management and ecosystem design company founded in Riyadh by a Nigerian but operating regionally across MENA, Africa, and globally, said it has held strategic discussions with senior leadership representatives of Expo 2030 Riyadh at Monsha’at, Saudi Arabia, focused on partnerships and opportunities for stronger Nigerian and African participation ahead of Expo 2030 Riyadh.

The engagement was led by Folajimi Daodu, Founder of Safira, serial entrepreneur, and global innovation ambassador, alongside Saeed Alshahrani, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Safira.

The “discussions explored what a potential Nigerian Pavilion at Expo 2030 Riyadh could look like, alongside broader conversations around African participation and how the continent’s strengths across technology, fintech, entrepreneurship, culture, creative industries, and youth innovation can be showcased on a global stage” Safira said in a statement.

Also present during the engagement, according to a statement by Safira, was Sami Al Hussaini, Governor of Monsha’at – The Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority in Saudi Arabia, reinforcing the importance of entrepreneurship, SME development, and international ecosystem collaboration in shaping the Kingdom’s future economic vision.

The statement said that during the discussions, Safira also engaged with Talal bin Hussein Al-Marri, CEO of Expo 2030 Riyadh, on how the global event can serve as a long-term platform for entrepreneurship, innovation, investment, trade, and strategic international collaboration beyond the event itself.

A major highlight of the engagement was a strategic conversation with Mulham AlBakree, Chief of Stakeholder Management at Expo 2030 Riyadh, whose office oversees international participants’ engagement and strategic stakeholder relations across governments, institutions, official delegations, and global partners.

Folajimi Daodu stated that “Expo 2030 Riyadh represents more than a global event. It is a platform for long-term economic collaboration, innovation exchange, investment attraction, and ecosystem development. Nigeria and Africa have a significant opportunity to participate meaningfully while building stronger commercial and strategic relationships with Saudi Arabia.”

Safira Co-Founder and COO, Saeed Alshahrani, added that “Saudi Arabia is entering one of the most transformative periods in its history, and Expo 2030 Riyadh will become a defining global platform for collaboration and innovation. We believe there is tremendous value in creating stronger bridges between the Kingdom and Africa through entrepreneurship, investment, culture, and strategic partnerships.”

The discussions also come at a significant time, with Yakubu N. Gambo, incoming Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, who is expected to lead a new chapter of diplomatic and economic engagement between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. “Gambo is widely respected for his experience in governance, diplomacy, and international relations, and his appointment is expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, innovation, culture, and strategic partnerships between both nations”.

Safira noted that initiatives such as Safira Evenings, Trade Missions, ROI Catalyst, and Knowledge Partnerships are designed to strengthen connections between governments, founders, investors, corporates, institutions, and innovation ecosystems across Africa and the Middle East.