UAE Deepens Economic and Philanthropic Ties with African Leaders in High-Level Summit
Dubai, 11th December, 2025 – Against the backdrop of expanding UAE–Africa economic ties and accelerating investment flows, a distinguished delegation of African business and philanthropic leaders gathered in the UAE for a series of high-level engagements to strengthen cooperation across investment, trade, innovation, and philanthropy.
The delegation, consisting of 13 of the most prominent business leaders and philanthropists from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Egypt, Sudan, and Zimbabwe, represented critical sectors such as energy, digital infrastructure, transport, logistics, agriculture, and food systems. Collectively, these sector leaders oversee industries central to national GDP, job creation, and community resilience across the African continent, highlighting a shared agenda in finding practical pathways for co-investment and collaboration.
A central event was the UAE–Africa roundtable, where senior UAE officials from key ministries and national entities joined the delegation. Discussions focused on long-term investment horizons, regulatory enablers, and practical partnership opportunities in priority sectors—reflecting a mutual commitment to strengthening collaboration and laying the groundwork for enduring alliances.
In furthering cultural engagement, the group visited Al Shindagha Museum to exchange ideas on collaboration within culture, the creative industries, and community development.
In Abu Dhabi, the delegation engaged with senior UAE leadership to advance diplomatic, commercial, and philanthropic ties between the regions. High-priority topics included youth empowerment, education, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) advancement, cultural exchange, and improved healthcare access.
As part of the programme, participants also attended a session under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “Voices of Influence” initiative featuring Bill Gates, Co-Founder of Microsoft and Chair of the Gates Foundation.
The visit comes amid significant momentum in UAE–Africa relations. The UAE has emerged as one of Africa’s most active foreign state investors, channeling over USD 110 billion between 2019 and 2023, with over USD 70 billion invested in renewable energy and green infrastructure. At the recent G20 summit in South Africa, the UAE introduced a USD 1 billion ‘AI for Development’ initiative to support artificial intelligence projects in Africa—integrating AI technologies with education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
A vital aspect of the visit was its focus on philanthropy, where delegates highlighted how community-level initiatives can strengthen social foundations and amplify the developmental impact of commercial investment. Stakeholders emphasized the catalytic role of philanthropic capital in education, health, youth empowerment, and community resilience—all of which complement wider economic partnerships.
The delegation’s broader agenda encompassed sectoral exchanges, strategic dialogues, and meetings with senior UAE officials to foster more coordinated action and examine new partnership models across business and philanthropy. These interactions are expected to boost future bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the UAE and participating African countries, marking an important milestone in a partnership founded on long-term stability, sustainable growth, and mutual benefit.
Notable delegates included: Abdul Samad Rabiu (BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative), Aliko Dangote (Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote Foundation), Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich Tein (Elin Group, Elizabeth JackRich Aid Foundation), Humphrey Kariuki (Janus Continental Group, Humphrey Kariuki Foundation), Johann Rupert (Richemont & Remgro, Rupert Education Foundation), Mohammad Dewji (MeTL Group, Mo Dewji Foundation), Sir Mo Ibrahim (Celtel International, Mo Ibrahim Foundation), Naguib Sawiris (Orascom Investment Holding, Sawiris Foundation for Social Development), Dr. Patrice Motsepe (African Rainbow Minerals, Motsepe Foundation), Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe (African Fashion International, Motsepe Foundation), Strive Masiyiwa (Econet Global & Cassava Technologies, Higherlife Foundation), Tsitsi Masiyiwa (Delta Philanthropies, Higherlife Foundation), and Tony Elumelu (Heirs Holdings & Transcorp, Tony Elumelu Foundation).
Team V.4-EM-UAE
