Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, has confirmed that the United Arab Emirates is committed to strengthening its relationships with Africa, having invested a total of $110 billion across promising sectors.

This announcement reflects the country's ongoing strategy to foster long-term developmental partnerships, as exemplified by the comprehensive economic partnership agreements it continues to forge with nations across the continent, which are seen as crucial drivers of growth.

This statement was made during his keynote address at the Emerging Economies Forum, part of the second day of the Global Government Summit 2025 held in Dubai.

The forum gathered decision-makers, investors, and leaders from various sectors to explore the vast economic opportunities within emerging markets, with a specific focus on Africa.

The event was co-hosted by the Global India Forum and the Global Government Summit.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi emphasized the substantial investment and growth opportunities that Africa presents, stating, "There are no limits to the opportunities in Africa, as the continent possesses two-thirds of the world's arable land, and will play a critical role in global food security."

He also highlighted Africa's abundant essential resources necessary for energy transition, including copper, lithium, and cobalt.

Additionally, projections suggest that Africa's population could reach 2.5 billion by 2050, potentially generating a consumer spending reach of $3 trillion by 2030.

The Minister pointed out that the continent is poised to become a significant player in the global economy, driven by its youthful population, rich natural resources, and rising technological advancements.

"Africa is rich in resources, creativity, and innovation.

We can provide unprecedented opportunities for sustainable development by investing in key sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, renewable energy, and technology," he stated.

Discussions at the forum centered around innovative financing models, including public-private partnerships and impact investment, which can help address major infrastructure gaps and promote sustainable development.

The forum featured prominent speakers, including Félix Ulloa, Vice President of El Salvador; Pedro Aliana Rodríguez, Vice President of Paraguay; Manu Kamikamica, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Small Business, and Medium Enterprises in Fiji; Pham Minh Chinh, Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam; David Ralamboviferinjo, Minister of Industry and Trade in Madagascar; Dr. Fahad Turkish, Director General and Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund; and Sitoyo Lopokwitaj, CEO of M-Pesa Africa.

The Emerging Economies Forum underscored the significant partnership between the UAE and Africa, with the UAE's total investments in the continent surpassing $110 billion in priority sectors.

This figure includes a commitment of $10 billion from Masdar to generate 10 gigawatts of clean energy in Africa by 2030, along with various initiatives across logistics and infrastructure sectors.