The African continent continuously needs investment and support for its economies—as much as it needs development and relief assistance in some countries—to drive development and prosperity that directly improves people’s lives and strengthens stability.
The United States tops the list of countries investing in Africa, followed by China and the European Union, while the United Arab Emirates ranks fourth overall and first in the Middle East.
Major investments
The UAE’s Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, said: “The UAE is consolidating its position as one of the most prominent strategic partners in boosting investment in Africa, with total investments exceeding $110 billion between 2019 and 2023.” He added that over $70 billion of that support went to green and renewable energy sectors, underscoring the UAE’s leadership among Arab and GCC investors on the continent.
According to statements carried by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of last month’s UAE–Africa Tourism Investment Summit in Dubai, “the summit showcased opportunities for investment cooperation between the UAE and more than 20 African countries.”
The recent Dubai summit presented more than 100 investment projects in Africa with a value exceeding $6 billion, expected to create over 70,000 jobs across the continent, with participation from more than 20 African ministers seeking to strengthen effective and sustainable investment in Africa.
Diverse investment sectors
Investment in Africa spans energy, infrastructure, logistics, real estate, and tourism—the five sectors in which the UAE is investing across several countries on the continent.
The Emirati minister noted that investing in Africa aligns with the goal of “continuing the UAE’s role as an active development partner and building fruitful partnerships—aimed at creating a new tourism investment map that links the UAE with Africa and elevates relations to more advanced levels of prosperity.” He also emphasized the UAE’s pivotal role in connecting African countries with both domestic and global investors through an advanced investment environment and a flexible framework for establishing cross-border companies, adding: “UAE companies are helping to fund and support development and tourism projects in Africa.”
Tourism and growth
African countries host many tourism destinations known for pristine nature and stunning sites, making tourism a key source of income and development in many parts of the continent. To fulfill its potential, African tourism needs continuous support and investment. The Dubai summit discussed the future of tourism in Africa under the theme “Tourism at the Heart of Africa’s Growth Agenda,” with ministers and heads of delegations from more than 20 countries in attendance.
Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe took part in the investment and development summit in the UAE.
The participating African ministers agreed in a joint communiqué on “the need to strengthen cooperation to channel investments, enhance air connectivity and infrastructure, and innovate sustainable solutions that support the resilience of the tourism economy.”
New investments in Africa aim to develop infrastructure and drive digital transformation, provide clear regulatory frameworks to facilitate investment across the continent, align with continental initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and expand mechanisms that redirect finance toward community development, climate action, and environmental initiatives.
The ministers in Dubai also agreed on the need to address the growing impact of climate change on ecosystems, tourism habitats, and forests that are premier destinations on the continent. They stressed “the importance of advancing green, climate-resilient projects; supporting investments in nature-based solutions; and encouraging the adoption of renewable energy,” according to the summit’s ministerial statement. They also highlighted the importance of elevating tourism in Africa from a cultural activity to a strategic pillar within economic policy—spotlighting the UAE’s model in tourism-led development and investment attraction as a trusted partner for advancing sustainable growth, and underscored the value of knowledge exchange with the UAE.
The communiqué further emphasized “supporting development partners and investors and helping them explore innovative financing tools, including public–private partnerships, blended finance, and debt-for-nature swaps.”
“No limits” to opportunity
For his part, the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, said: “There are no limits to opportunities in Africa: two-thirds of the world’s arable land is there, which will play a decisive role in global food security.” He also pointed to the abundance of critical minerals needed for the energy transition—such as copper, lithium, and cobalt—affirming that the continent’s investment opportunities are rich and require consistent capital inflows.
The United States is also leveraging Africa’s fertile environment for sustained, large-scale investment. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative reports that in 2024, U.S. trade in goods and services with 49 African countries totaled $104.9 billion, up 8.3% from 2023, with ongoing efforts to expand trade and investment in the region.
