UAE and South Africa Strengthen Economic Ties Through Enhanced Trade and Investment
Abu Dhabi, 3rd September 2025 — Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, held a meeting with the South African Business Council in the UAE focused on advancing strategies to boost trade, investment, and private sector collaboration between the two nations.
The meeting highlighted the UAE’s ongoing commitment to fortifying its economic relationships with African nations, recognising the continent’s growing significance in global trade. Dr. Al Zeyoudi emphasised the remarkable growth in trade volume between the UAE and South Africa, stating that non-oil foreign trade reached US$8.5 billion in 2024 — a 14% increase over 2023 and an impressive 120% surge since 2019. This robust trend continued through the first half of 2025, with bilateral non-oil trade amounting to US$3.93 billion.
South Africa stands as the UAE’s second-largest non-oil trade partner in Africa, illustrating the substantial potential for both countries to further deepen business relations and foster economic growth.
“**The UAE is committed to enhancing its economic partnership with South Africa,” stated Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. “Today’s discussions were focused on encouraging new avenues for private sector collaboration that will benefit both our nations. We are particularly excited about projects related to food security, logistics, infrastructure, tourism, and renewable energy in South Africa and across the continent. By working together, we continue to unlock new opportunities that not only drive economic growth but also contribute to the sustainable development of all our nations.**”
The session served as a platform for exploring multiple initiatives aimed at leveraging the existing trade framework for mutual benefit. Dr. Al Zeyoudi stressed the importance of investing in projects aligned with sustainable development goals, with an eye toward job creation and enduring economic value across Africa.
Concluding the meeting, both sides committed to advancing potential collaborative projects to further enhance trade relations and economic ties, laying the foundation for a more prosperous future for both countries.
Currently, over 3,690 South African businesses are established in the UAE, active across sectors such as construction, hospitality, and financial services. This bilateral engagement is mirrored by the growing involvement of UAE businesses in South Africa, with major players like DP World in logistics and AMEA Power in renewable energy. South Africa, the continent’s largest exporter and its economy with the highest nominal GDP, offers exceptional opportunities for sectoral cooperation in food, transport, and renewable energy — key focuses during the meeting.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
