Invest Africa and the Government of the United Arab Emirates have formalised a landmark partnership to host The Africa Debate – UAE, a premier investment and trade forum scheduled for 30 September 2025 in Dubai. This strategic collaboration reflects the UAE’s rising position as a key economic partner for the African continent, and underscores Invest Africa’s role in shaping global debates on sustainable growth and commercial cooperation.
Under this partnership with the UAE’s Ministry of Economy, The Africa Debate – UAE will convene over 500 high‑level participants including policymakers, sovereign wealth fund executives, major investors, and sector leaders across infrastructure, energy, ICT, climate finance and logistics under the theme “Shared Markets. Shared Future.”
The Africa Debate will spotlight some of the headline transactions that illustrate this evolving partnership, including ADNOC/XRG’s entry into Mozambique’s Rovuma Basin, IHC/IRH’s $1.1bn acquisition of Zambia’s Mopani Copper Mines, and G42 and Microsoft’s $1bn geothermal-powered data centre in Kenya, amongst others.
Delegates attending The Africa Debate – UAE will engage directly with prominent investors and market leaders from both Africa and the United Arab Emirates, gaining critical insights into the evolving landscape of trade and investment between the two regions. The forum will also provide a platform for participants to network with influential speakers and fellow delegates, fostering the exchange of ideas, expertise, and experiences aimed at deepening economic cooperation.
Between 2019 and 2023, Emirati companies committed more than US$110 billion in African investments, surpassing traditional global partners such as China and the UK. Remarkably, US$72 billion of that was earmarked for renewable energy projects, reflecting the UAE’s growing emphasis on green infrastructure.
The UAE has invested across strategic sectors including ports, mining, logistics, agriculture and digital infrastructure. For instance, Abu Dhabi‑based International Resources Holding acquired Mopani Copper Mines in Zambia, while through Masdar and Amea Power, the country is spearheading solar and green hydrogen projects across Angola, Uganda, Zambia and others.
As the Headline Partner, AD Ports Group will lead discussions at the event, spotlighting the UAE’s US$4.5 billion climate finance commitment to Africa, and engaging with project pipelines that could further scale green investment markets.
The conference will feature a series of high-level sessions, including:
Capital Meets Strategy – The UAE’s evolving role in Africa’s industrial future
Hydrogen Horizons – Unlocking Africa’s potential as a green hydrogen leader
Can Africa Leapfrog to Smart Infrastructure? – Co-developing next-generation infrastructure
Seeds of Opportunity – Agribusiness as a shared asset in a changing climate
Reimagining Capital Flows – Sovereign wealth, blended finance, and regional co-investment
Chantelé Carrington, CEO of Invest Africa, stated that the UAE partnership is a “testament to our commitment to facilitating meaningful business connections and fostering two‑way trade and investment” between Africa and the Gulf.
“We are delighted to partner with the UAE Government to deliver this years edition of The Africa Debate. Dubai has long been a global epicentre for climate innovation, digital finance, and investment strategy—all of which are central to Africa’s growth story. This forum offers a rare opportunity to connect African and Emirati leaders in a dialogue not just about capital, but about shared vision, co-investment, and transformational outcomes.” She said
According to Juma Alkait, Assistant Undersecretary for International Trade Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Economy, “The UAE has long recognised the strategic importance of Africa as a key trade and investment partner” and aims to deepen commercial engagement through this collaboration.
The UAE’s surging African profile reflects a wider global trend. Its investments are increasingly framed as transactional yet transformational fuel for African industrialisation, climate adaptation, and digital infrastructure. At the same time, critics cite concerns over governance, labour standards, and potential conflicts emerging from rapid capital flows.
Events like The Africa Debate offer a space to address these complexities. By assembling stakeholders across investment, policy, and industry, the forum aims to unlock real-world partnerships with accountability at the core.
At the London edition of The Africa Debate on 2 July 2025, President William Ruto led a high‑level Kenyan delegation to promote infrastructure, climate‑smart finance and digital transformation to UK investors. Kenya’s participation reflects the dynamic connectivity between African growth markets and global capital hubs.
Taking place just ahead of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings and COP30, the event will contribute to a wider global conversation about how investment in the Global South can be both catalytic and commercially viable.
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