The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has significantly expanded its economic and strategic footprint across Africa, pouring billions of dollars into the continent over the past five years. With investments surpassing $110 billion between 2019 and 2023, the UAE has become Africa’s single largest investor outpacing traditional partners like China, France, and the United Kingdom. These investments cut across critical sectors such as energy, mining, logistics, agriculture, and infrastructure, reflecting the UAE’s ambition to diversify its economy, secure vital resources, and increase its global influence.

Investing in Energy and Renewables

One of the UAE’s key focus areas in Africa is renewable energy. Through Masdar, the UAE’s flagship clean energy company, the country is funding multi-gigawatt projects that align with its broader green energy goals. Under the “Etihad 7” program an initiative launched to provide clean electricity to 100 million Africans by 2035 Masdar has committed to:

• 2 GW of clean energy in Angola

• 1 GW in Uganda

• 2 GW of solar, wind, and hydroelectric power in Zambia

In Togo, Amea Power, another major UAE-based renewable energy firm, constructed the 50MW Blitta Solar Power Station, also known as the Mohamed Bin Zayed Solar Power Plant. Operational since June 2021, the plant powers over 600,000 homes and 700 small and medium-sized businesses.

Amea Power is also building the 120MW Doornhoek Solar Power Station in South Africa, which is expected to come online by 2026, further underlining the UAE’s commitment to Africa’s energy transition.

Securing Critical Minerals Through Mining

The UAE is also moving aggressively into Africa’s mining sector, seeking to secure critical minerals that are essential for clean energy technologies, electronics, and defense systems. In a landmark deal, International Resources Holding (IRH) a subsidiary of the UAE’s International Holding Company acquired a 51% stake in Zambia’s Mopani Copper Mines for $1.1 billion. This move aims to boost copper production and revitalize one of Zambia’s key industries while safeguarding thousands of local jobs.

Additionally, the UAE has signed agreements with the Democratic Republic of Congo to establish joint ventures for mining Tantalum, Tin, and Tungsten three conflict-free minerals critical for the global green economy.

These moves are not just commercial but strategic, ensuring that the UAE maintains a long-term supply chain for the minerals essential to its economic transformation.

Ports, Logistics, and Strategic Infrastructure

The UAE’s interest in Africa isn’t limited to energy and minerals. It is also investing heavily in infrastructure and logistics, particularly through DP World and AD Ports Group, which are extending the UAE’s maritime influence across the continent.

• DP World now operates or has stakes in ports across multiple African countries, including Angola, Egypt, Senegal, and Somalia.

• In Luanda, Angola, AD Ports Group launched operations in 2025, following a $250 million investment to modernize port logistics and expand trade connectivity.

One of the UAE’s most ambitious infrastructure deals is the $6 billion agreement with Sudan to build the Abu Amama port and economic zone on the Red Sea. This new port will strengthen the UAE’s presence along one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes, offering the Emirates both economic and strategic leverage.

Strengthening Food Security Through Agriculture

As part of its long-term food security strategy, the UAE is also investing in African agriculture. With limited arable land and a high dependence on food imports, the UAE sees Africa as a vital partner in securing access to stable food supplies. Investments have been made in farmland, irrigation systems, and agribusiness ventures in countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya. These agricultural partnerships are mutually beneficial helping to feed the UAE’s growing population while also supporting Africa’s rural economies.

The Bigger Picture: Economic Power Meets Strategic Influence

The UAE’s growing presence in Africa reflects a clear and calculated shift in its foreign policy. Once reliant primarily on oil exports, the Gulf state is now using its sovereign wealth to build a diversified global portfolio that includes stakes in emerging markets like Africa. By investing in energy, infrastructure, and natural resources, the UAE is:

• Securing critical supply chains

• Expanding its soft power across the Global South

• Building long-term alliances outside traditional Western spheres of influence

However, the UAE’s involvement is not without controversy. Human rights organizations and policy analysts have raised concerns about labor practices, environmental standards, and the potential for neo-colonial influence through unchecked foreign capital. Critics argue that while the investments bring infrastructure and development, they may also undermine local governance and economic sovereignty if not properly regulated.

Conclusion

The UAE’s surge in African investments marks a new chapter in global geopolitics. With an eye on sustainability, resource security, and global influence, the Emirates is leveraging its wealth to carve out a leadership role in Africa’s development story. For African nations, this influx of capital presents both opportunities and challenges. As this relationship deepens, the balance between development gains and national interests will define the future of Africa UAE engagement.

 

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