UAE reinforces ties with Nigeria, Africa at AU summit
Elegbede Abiodun
UAE flag
• UAE will co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal from December 2–4.
The United Arab Emirates has strengthened its partnerships with African nations, highlighting investments, renewable energy initiatives, and strategic cooperation during the 2026 summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The UAE outlined its engagements at the summit in a statement on Sunday, noting that the Minister of State, Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, attended alongside heads of state and senior officials to discuss continental priorities such as peace, security, economic integration, and sustainable development.
“Our engagement with Africa is rooted in decades of trade, maritime links, and people-to-people connections across the Red Sea and Indian Ocean corridors.
“Today, that historic connectivity is reflected in a growing diplomatic footprint (19 embassies in Sub-Saharan Africa) with further expansion underway.
“At the same time, African diplomatic representation in the UAE continues to grow, reinforcing our country’s role as a hub for African trade, finance, and dialogue,” the minister stated.
Shakhbout also conveyed the greetings of UAE leaders, including President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with their wishes for continued progress and prosperity for African Union member states.
The UAE’s participation reflects its commitment to consolidating relations with African countries, strengthening partnerships based on trust and mutual respect, and supporting efforts for peace, stability, and sustainable development across the continent.
Between 2019 and 2023, the UAE committed more than $110bn in investments across Africa, the highest level by any single country during that period, with over $70bn directed toward energy, green, and renewable sectors. Under the Africa Green Investment Initiative, $4.5bn has been mobilised to accelerate clean energy development, with more than 60 projects in preparation, spanning solar, wind, geothermal, battery storage, and green hydrogen technologies.
Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company Masdar is leading a $10bn Africa programme, while the Etihad 7 initiative aims to expand electricity access to up to 100 million people by 2035.
The UAE said it has also concluded nine Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with African countries, including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Gabon, Angola, Kenya, Congo-Brazzaville, Mauritius, and the Central African Republic.
These agreements cover tariffs, services, digital trade, and investment protection and are designed to complement the African Continental Free Trade Area by strengthening value chains and facilitating cross-border competitiveness.
Infrastructure projects form a key pillar of cooperation. DP World continues to expand operations across African ports, including a $1bn upgrade of Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania, while AD Ports Group has begun constructing a new terminal in Luanda, Angola, to significantly increase container capacity.
Humanitarian and development support remains central to UAE-Africa engagement, with nearly 40 per cent of the UAE’s foreign assistance, approximately $20.9bn over the past decade, directed to African countries.
Looking ahead, water and climate resilience are emerging priorities. The UAE will co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal from December 2–4, marking the first time two Global South countries jointly lead the global process, highlighting a shared commitment to advancing water security and sanitation across the continent.
