The United Arab Emirates has stepped up its diplomatic and economic engagement with Africa, highlighting investment, renewable energy and infrastructure partnerships during the 2026 summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa.
In a statement on Sunday, the UAE said its Minister of State, Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, attended the gathering alongside African heads of state and senior officials, with discussions centred on peace and security, economic integration and sustainable 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,” Shakhbout said, noting that the UAE now operates 19 embassies in sub-Saharan Africa, with further expansion under way.
He added that African diplomatic representation in the UAE continues to grow, reinforcing the Gulf state’s role as a hub for African trade, finance and dialogue.
Shakhbout also conveyed greetings from 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, expressing their wishes for continued progress and prosperity for AU member states.
The UAE said its participation reflected a commitment to consolidating relations with African countries, strengthening partnerships based on trust and mutual respect, and supporting efforts to promote peace, stability and sustainable growth across the continent.
Between 2019 and 2023, the UAE committed more than $110 billion in investments across Africa the highest level by any single country during that period with more than $70 billion directed to energy, green and renewable sectors, according to the statement.
Under the Africa Green Investment Initiative, $4.5 billion has been mobilised to accelerate clean energy development, with more than 60 projects in preparation across solar, wind, geothermal, battery storage and green hydrogen.
Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy firm Masdar is leading a $10 billion Africa programme, while the Etihad 7 initiative aims to expand electricity access to up to 100 million people by 2035.
Trade agreements have also featured prominently. The UAE has concluded nine Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with African countries, including Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Gabon, Angola, Kenya, Republic of the Congo, Mauritius and the Central African Republic.
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 cross-border competitiveness.
Infrastructure is another pillar of cooperation. Global ports operator DP World is expanding operations across African ports, including a $1 billion upgrade of Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania, while AD Ports Group has begun building a new terminal in Luanda, Angola.
Humanitarian and development assistance also remains central to UAE-Africa ties. Nearly 40 percent of the UAE’s foreign aid about $20.9 billion over the past decade has been directed to African countries.
Looking ahead, water and climate resilience are emerging as shared 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, and underscoring a shared commitment to advancing water security and sanitation across Africa.
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Background to UAE and Africa’s relationship
The United Arab Emirates has emerged as one of Africa’s largest foreign investors and strategic partners, leveraging its financial resources, technological expertise, and geographic position to strengthen ties across the continent. The UAE maintains a growing diplomatic footprint with 19 embassies in sub-Saharan Africa, while African diplomatic presence in the UAE has expanded, reinforcing bilateral trade, finance, and people-to-people connections.
Investment priorities have focused on renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, and digital trade. Abu Dhabi-based Masdar leads a $10 billion Africa programme in solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects, while DP World and AD Ports Group have upgraded key ports to strengthen regional supply chains.
The UAE has also signed multiple Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Angola, supporting trade, investment protection, and cross-border competitiveness. Through humanitarian aid, renewable initiatives, and strategic development programmes, the UAE positions itself as a long-term partner in Africa’s economic growth, energy transition, and sustainable development agenda.
Looking ahead, climate resilience and water security have become key pillars, with the UAE co-hosting the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal, marking a first for two Global South nations to jointly lead this global initiative. These efforts underline the UAE’s ambition to combine economic, diplomatic, and sustainable partnerships that foster shared growth and stability across the continent.
