Invest Africa Releases Post-Event Report for ‘The Africa Debate in UAE 2024’
The 1st edition of The Africa Debate – UAE took place in Dubai on 31 October 2024. The organizer Invest Africa released a post-event report on 14 December 2024.
According to the Report, more than 500 delegates from 25 countries representing a cross-section of leaders from the public and private sectors were in attendance. The Event managed to reach 25 million people via various traditional and digital media with notable support of top influencer networks.
“The future we envision for UAE-Africa relations is one of mutual growth, sustainable development, and transformative innovation.”
UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri
UAE has emerged as the 4th largest source of #FDI into Africa. Over the last decade, investments cumulated to about USD 60 billion. In terms of trade, non-petroleum transactions exceeded USD 25 billion in 2022, with Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Nigeria accounting for USD 8 billion.
UAE is a major petroleum supplier to Africa and is well-known trading hub for gold from Africa. It is also worth noting 21,000 African companies are registered in the Dubai International Financial Center (#IFC), testifying to the dynamic relationship and strength of the economic corridor between Africa and UAE.
During the Event, four key areas of cooperation were explored, namely:
- Climate Finance
- Sustainable Development
- Connectivity Enhancement
- AgriTech
“It is not surprising that we are having this conversation with the UEA wanting to engage with Africa, because it wants to continue its tremendous transformation as an economy and sees African states as a valuable partners.”
Zimbabwe Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mthuli Ncube
The UAE is pleased to support the Just Energy Transition (#JET) of Africa with a pledge of USD 4.5 billion earmarked for clean energy projects. Masdar, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, and AMEA Power are among the Emirati organizations supporting the #EnergyTransition of Africa.
Furthermore, the UAE has committed to purchase at least USD 450 million in #CarbonCredits from Africa as a way to finance #ClimateChange mitigation and adaptation measures.
Through Abu Dhabi Ports Group and Dubai Ports World, the UAE has injected more than USD 10 billion into maritime #connectivity projects that will contribute to boost trade. In particular, several seaports have been upgraded in view of the future increase in trade volume.
As the potential breadbasket to the world, Africa can actually feed the whole world with the amount of arable land at its disposal. Middle-East countries such as the UAE are mostly desertic and Africa presents a potential backyard to enhance #FoodSecurity. Thus, the UAE is supporting the introduction of the latest innovations in farming technologies such as vertical farming, precision irrigation, drone-assisted farming and the application of AI to boost crop yields.
Perhaps, the South Africa Minister of Public Works best summarizes the UEA-Africa ties by stating that both sides are ready to turbocharge and build an infrastructure foundation that powers economic growth, connects continents, and delivers ‘the Africa that Africans want.’