UAE and South Africa Explore Investment Opportunities in Africa
Dubai: UAE and South Africa are actively working to deepen economic ties between South Africa and UAE while exploring investment opportunities in South Africa across multiple sectors. The effort highlights the growing importance of strategic collaboration in the region.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, met with Mpho Parks Tau, South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, to discuss boosting trade, investment, and private-sector partnerships. The discussion focused on leveraging UAE investment opportunities in African countries and strengthening collaboration in sectors such as logistics, renewable energy, real estate, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Growing Non-Oil Trade Between UAE and South Africa
During the meeting, Al Zeyoudi highlighted that non-oil trade between the UAE and South Africa reached US$8.5 billion in 2024, reflecting a 14% increase from 2023 and a 120% growth since 2019. The positive momentum continued in the first half of 2025, with trade totaling US$3.93 billion, positioning South Africa as the UAE’s second-largest African trading partner and 22nd globally.
“These figures reflect the growing strength of our economic ties between South Africa and UAE. South Africa is a vital partner in Africa, and through collaborative projects in logistics, renewable energy, and real estate, we are uncovering new investment opportunities in South Africa that can benefit both nations,” Al Zeyoudi said.
Private-Sector Collaboration and Future Projects
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing private-sector collaboration, focusing on sustainable growth and shared economic development. Discussions emphasized renewable energy projects, including significant investment in energy sector initiatives, as well as opportunities in food production, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
The UAE’s engagement with Africa has expanded significantly through Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) with five sub-Saharan countries, including Angola, Mauritius, Kenya, Congo-Brazzaville, and the Central African Republic. This strategy aligns with the UAE’s mission to promote UAE investment opportunities in African countries and sustainable economic growth.
For more information on travel and business opportunities between the UAE and Africa, visit Afrikeye Travel.
This story was first reported by KN, WAM (Emirates News Agency). Read the full article here.
