The UAE's annual trade with African nations has crossed $107 billion, with Emirati investments on the continent nearing $150 billion, according to figures announced by Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Speaking on the country's Africa strategy, Gargash said the UAE recognised early that the world was shifting and that meaningful engagement with Africa should not have to pass through European or Western intermediaries. He credited Abu Dhabi and Dubai's independent outreach for opening direct channels of cooperation that are now reflected in these trade and investment figures.
Dubai has played a central role in this growth as the region's logistics and trade hub, serving as a bridge between Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The emirate's ports and trading houses have long facilitated flows of goods and capital across the continent, and the rising trade volume is expected to reinforce that position further.
UAE officials have previously outlined plans to expand economic engagement in Africa, including investments in infrastructure, energy and logistics. Gargash's announcement suggests this strategy is becoming a central pillar of the UAE's economic diplomacy.
Analysts say the continued momentum could open fresh opportunities for Dubai-based firms in shipping, banking and commodities trade, while cementing the UAE's role as a gateway for capital flows into Africa.