RAFIKI means “FRIEND” is Swahili, but that is not the origin of the name for this cartridge. According to THE EXPLORA, it is a remake of the .500 No. 100 4-1/8″, which was never produced. The rifle was requested by and named after Rafik Hariri, who was the President of Lebanon. Cartridges were made by David Little, who later founded Kynamco. The Rafiki is also referred to as the 700/500 being the traditional designation used in England, essentially a .700 case necked down to receive a .500 bullet. Later a second rifle was ordered by Mr. Hariri, named the 700/577 SAHAR, in honour of his son Saad.