Emirates: more than $110 billion in investments in Africa and a partnership set to strengthen, according to Abu Dhabi
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) highlighted the scale of its economic and diplomatic engagement in Africa, claiming to have committed more than $110 billion in investments to the continent between 2019 and 2023, in a statement by its Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan.
According to him, relations between the UAE and Africa are part of an ancient history of trade, maritime routes and human ties across the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. This dynamic is reflected today in the expansion of the Emirati diplomatic network, with 19 embassies in sub-Saharan Africa and new openings planned.
At the same time, the African diplomatic presence in the Emirates is on the rise, with Abu Dhabi positioning itself as a platform for trade, finance and dialogue with the continent.
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Economically, more than $70 billion in investments would have been directed towards energy, green sectors and renewables. The Emirati authorities believe that access to energy constitutes an essential basis for the industrialization and diversification of African economies.
The minister cites in particular the Africa Green Investment Initiative, which would have mobilized $4.5 billion for clean energy projects, with more than 60 projects in preparation in solar, wind, geothermal, battery storage and green hydrogen.
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Masdar's $10 billion Africa program and Etihad 7 initiative aim to expand access to electricity to up to 100 million people by 2035.
The Emirates also emphasize their involvement in trade and logistics. Nine comprehensive economic partnership agreements have been concluded with African countries, including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Angola. These agreements relate, according to the minister, to customs tariffs, services, digital trade and investment protection, in addition to the African Continental Free Trade Area.
In the ports sector, investments are underway, including a billion-dollar upgrade of the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and the construction of a new terminal in Luanda, Angola, intended to increase container capacity.
Nearly 40% of Emirati foreign aid over the last decade, or around $20.9 billion, was intended for African countries, according to the minister, covering development aid, humanitarian and charitable actions.
The Emirates also announced that they would co-chair with Senegal the United Nations Water Conference in 2026, scheduled for December 2-4, with the aim of accelerating progress in water security and sanitation. “Our approach reflects a structural partnership built for decades to come,” he concludes.
