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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening relations with African countries, outlining fresh investments, renewable energy projects, and expanded economic cooperation at the 2026 African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the UAE said its Minister of State, Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, joined African heads of state and senior officials at the summit, where discussions focused on peace, security, economic integration, and sustainable development.
The minister stated that the UAE’s relationship with Africa is built on longstanding trade and maritime connections across the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, noting that these historic ties are now reflected in an expanding diplomatic presence, including 19 embassies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He added that African diplomatic missions in the UAE are also increasing, strengthening the country’s position as a hub for trade, finance, and dialogue.
“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.
“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 the UAE continues to grow, reinforcing our country’s role as a hub for African trade, finance, and dialogue.”
Shakhbout also conveyed goodwill messages 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 growth and prosperity across African Union member states.
According to the statement, the UAE committed over $110 billion in investments across Africa between 2019 and 2023, the highest by any single country during that period, with more than $70 billion directed toward energy and renewable projects.
Through the Africa Green Investment Initiative, $4.5 billion has been mobilised to accelerate clean energy development, with over 60 projects spanning solar, wind, geothermal, battery storage, and green hydrogen technologies.
The UAE also announced it has signed nine Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with African nations, including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Angola, and others.
The agreements are designed to enhance trade in goods and services, boost digital commerce, and protect investments, while complementing the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Infrastructure development remains central to cooperation. DP World is expanding port operations across the continent, including a $1 billion upgrade of Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania, while AD Ports Group has begun constructing a new terminal in Luanda, Angola, to increase container capacity.
The UAE further stated that nearly 40 per cent of its foreign assistance over the past decade, about $20.9 billion, has been directed to African countries.
Looking ahead, water security and climate resilience are expected to feature prominently in future collaboration.
The UAE will co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal from December 2 to 4, marking the first time two Global South nations jointly lead the global process.
