The UAE has built one of the continent’s largest investment pipelines across ports, mines, farms and renewable energy. The next stage is whether those projects leave African countries with infrastructure, processing capacity and local businesses that can outlast the deal.
The United Arab Emirates has become one of the most important foreign investors in African ports, mines, agriculture and green energy.
Its companies are moving beyond individual projects into the infrastructure that connects mines, factories and farms to international markets. DP World is expanding Mozambique’s Maputo port and developing the Democratic Republic of Congo’s first deep-water port, while other Emirati groups are pursuing energy and mining opportunities across the continent.
The attraction for African governments is clear. New ports, roads, power projects and logistics networks can reduce trade costs and help countries move more goods.
A recent Financial Times analysis found that UAE entities have announced more than $168 billion in projects in Africa since 2017. The projects span mining, ports, agriculture and green energy.
