UAE-Africa Trade Soars Past $107 Billion, Investments Approach $150 Billion

Trade between the UAE and African nations has surged, with annual figures now exceeding $107 billion, while total Emirati investments across the continent are approaching $150 billion. This significant growth underscores Africa's increasing strategic importance to the UAE's long-term economic diversification and external investment agenda.

Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, recently highlighted the scale of this expanding relationship. The UAE's approach has focused on establishing direct partnerships with African countries, moving away from reliance on European or broader Western intermediaries. This strategy aligns with Abu Dhabi’s wider efforts to diversify economic ties and strengthen links with emerging markets globally.

Official data from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade indicates an even larger expansion in non-oil commerce. UAE-Africa non-oil trade reached approximately $158 billion in 2025, marking a 41.6% increase from 2024. Africa's share of the UAE’s total non-oil trade also rose to 15.5% in the same period. In 2024, UAE-Africa non-oil trade stood at around $112 billion.

Sectoral Focus and Regional Impact

The UAE's economic footprint in Africa is diverse, spanning key sectors such as:

• Infrastructure
• Ports and logistics
• Conventional and renewable energy
• Technology
• Financial services

Recent trade missions illustrate this expansion. Bilateral non-oil trade with Senegal reached approximately $1.3 billion in 2025, a 24.5% annual increase, with a further 31% year-on-year growth in the first half of 2026. Similarly, UAE-Gabon non-oil trade hit $320.6 million in 2025, more than double the 2021 level. These country-level figures demonstrate how overall growth translates into deeper commercial relationships across West and Central Africa. Also, Gulf aviation links with Africa are expanding to meet the demand for increased passenger and cargo connectivity.

Strategic Importance and Future Outlook

Assessments of the Africa-Middle East investment corridor identify ports, logistics, energy, and critical minerals as primary areas for Gulf investment. These sectors offer strategic value by connecting African production to international markets and strengthening supply chains. The UAE's presence extends beyond individual transactions, integrating trade, investment, logistics, infrastructure, and diplomatic engagement to create a broader economic corridor between the Gulf and Africa. This expansion, backed by the UAE’s senior political leadership, signifies a strategic foreign-economic policy aimed at diversifying and institutionalising economic ties with Africa.