Strengthening Trade Corridors: South Africa Delegation Visits DMCC in Dubai for Strategic Collaboration
In a significant move to deepen international trade ties, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre), recently hosted H.E. Mpho Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of the Republic of South Africa, at the DMCC headquarters in Uptown Dubai. The high-profile delegation included H.E. Zodwa Lallie (Acting Deputy Director-General for Asia and the Middle East), Mr. Simphiwe Hamilton (Director-General of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition), Mr. Jeffrey Sehume (Chief Director for Media Relations), Mr. Yunus Hoosen (Deputy Director-General at Trade and Investment South Africa), as well as corporate representatives such as Ms. Esha Mansingh (Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability for Sub-Saharan Africa at DP World) and Mr. Ahmed Al Muhairabi (Group Senior Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs, MENA at DP World).
The meeting’s agenda was ambitious and future-focused. Discussions centered on amplifying South Africa’s voice in the global diamond community and expanding UAE–South Africa collaboration across sectors such as the gold trade corridor, shipping, logistics, port operations, and agriculture. Emphasis was placed on advancing areas like digital provenance, smart logistics, and asset-backed finance to empower producers and exporters in both regions.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem outlined DMCC’s progressive growth agenda, introducing initiatives such as the DMCC AI Centre, the DMCC Wealth Hub, the DMCC Water Centre, the DMCC Crypto Centre, and the forthcoming DMCC Financial Centre, which is set to be formally unveiled at the Dubai Precious Metals Conference (DPMC) on 24 and 25 November 2025. Bin Sulayem shared upcoming highlights, noting that this year’s DPMC will feature Grant Williams as keynote speaker, examining “gold’s expanding role in investment portfolios, the macro forces reshaping markets, and Dubai’s rise as a global hub for precious metals.”
Regarding investment and capital management, the new DMCC Wealth Hub was presented as a dedicated home for family offices, private investors, and investment firms seeking straightforward structures and premium access to deal flows across DMCC ecosystems—all within Uptown Dubai—demonstrating DMCC’s commitment without directly providing regulated financial services or advice.
The South African delegation participated in a working tour of Uptown Dubai, visiting leading innovation centers such as Yingtian Global, the DMCC AI Centre, and the DMCC Crypto Centre. These visits showed first-hand how DMCC combines physical trade with pioneering technology and capital, reinforcing Dubai’s global reputation as an epicenter for business and innovation.
Strengthening global value propositions and building resilient regional trade corridors with strategic partners like South Africa remains at the core of DMCC’s mandate. The collaboration aims not only to attract investment and drive business growth but also to reinforce Dubai’s position as a world-leading hub for trade, innovation, and investment.
As Ahmed Bin Sulayem emphasized during the visit:
“Strengthening our global value proposition while building resilient regional trade corridors with partners such as South Africa goes hand in hand with our mandate to attract investment, drive business growth, and reinforce Dubai’s position as a world-leading hub for trade, innovation, and investment.”
For more information on the Dubai Precious Metals Conference and DMCC’s upcoming initiatives, visit www.dpmc.ae.
