UAE, Africa to promote peace, growth
United Arab Emirates has reinforced its partnerships with Africa, to build trust, mutual respect, and support peace, stability and sustainable development on the continent. The UAE outlined its engagements at
United Arab Emirates has reinforced its partnerships with Africa, to build trust, mutual respect, and support peace, stability and sustainable development on the continent.
The UAE outlined its engagements at the AU summit in a statement, noting that Minister of State, Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, attended with heads of state and senior officials to discuss peace, security, economic integration, and development.
“Our engagement with Africa is rooted in decades of trade, maritime links, and people-to-people connections across the Red Sea and Indian Ocean corridors.
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“Today, that historic connectivity is reflected in a growing diplomatic footprint (19 embassies in sub-Saharan Africa) with further expansion underway.
“At the same time, African diplomatic representation in UAE continues to grow, reinforcing our country’s role as a hub for African trade, finance, and dialogue,” the minister said.
Shakhbout also conveyed the greetings of UAE leaders, including President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with their wishes for continued progress and prosperity for African Union member states.
The UAE’s participation reflects its commitment to consolidate relations with African countries, strengthening partnerships based on trust and mutual respect, and supporting efforts for peace, stability, and sustainable development on the continent.
Between 2019 and 2023, the UAE committed over $110 billion in investments in Africa, the highest level by any single country in that period, with over $70 billion directed toward energy, green, and renewable sectors. Under Africa Green Investment Initiative, $4.5 billion has been mobilised to accelerate clean energy development, with over 60 projects in preparation, spanning solar, wind, geothermal, battery storage, and green hydrogen technologies.
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Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company, Masdar, is leading a $10 billion Africa programme, while Etihad 7 initiative aims to expand electricity access to up to 100 million people by 2035.
The UAE said it has also concluded nine Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Gabon, Angola, Kenya, Congo-Brazzaville, Mauritius, Central African Republic, and others.
These agreements cover tariffs, services, digital trade, and investment protection and are designed to complement the African Continental Free Trade Area by strengthening value chains and facilitating cross-border competitiveness.
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Infrastructure projects form a key pillar of cooperation. DP World continues to expand operations across African ports, including a $1bn upgrade of Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania, while AD Ports Group has begun constructing a new terminal in Luanda, Angola, to significantly increase container capacity.
Humanitarian and development support remains central to UAE-Africa engagement, with nearly 40 per cent of the UAE’s foreign assistance, approximately $20.9bn over the past decade, directed to African countries.
Looking ahead, water and climate resilience are emerging priorities. The UAE will co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal from December 2–4, marking the first time two Global South countries jointly lead the global process, highlighting a shared commitment to advancing water security and sanitation across the continent.
