Beyond Economics: The UAE’s Holistic Approach to Africa’s Development

Analysis

The UAE’s development strategy is based on a holistic approach, centred around three interconnected ecosystems: economic, religious, and knowledge based. Together, these ecosystems have driven both personal and economic growth within the UAE. As the nation expands its influence across the African continent, it applies a similar model. While the economic ecosystem attracts the most attention, it is the development of the religious and knowledge ecosystems that could position the UAE as the ideal partner for African continent.

About

Cedric Roux is the Managing Director of Concerto Middle East. He helps international clients navigate the GCC markets and supports GCC champions in building bridges with Africa and France. Contact Cédric at cr@concerto-pr.com for more information on the subject, or to find out more about how Concerto can help you.

QUICK INSIGHTS

The UAE streamlines value chains throughout the African continent, connecting raw material extraction to transformation facilities and multi modal storage and transport networks, forming highly efficient economic ecosystems and boosting Africa’s competitiveness in critical sectors.
The UAE actively promotes moderate interpretations of Islam in Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Maghreb, where extremism is a threat. Through key partnerships and support from religious institutions, the UAE seeks to counter radical ideologies and foster peaceful coexistence.
The UAE has established knowledge-sharing platforms focusing on education, innovation, and the digital economy in Africa. These platforms contribute to raising Africa’s economic ambitions and prepare its workforce to better embrace the skills of tomorrow.

Economic Footprint: Streamlining Strategic Value Chains

Historically focused on East Africa, the UAE has rapidly expanded across the continent since the mid 2010s to become a key economic figure in Africa. It has established a strong foothold in critical sectors such as agriculture (with 80% of the UAE's food imports coming from Africa), energy, minerals, logistics, and infrastructure. As the fourth largest foreign investor on the continent, the UAE has launched a series of initiatives that are significantly reshaping Africa’s economic landscape. In logistics, for example, the UAE plays a pivotal role in modernising ports and airports across more than 18 African countries. DP World, the UAE’s leading supply chain solutions provider, has invested over $3 billion in the development of ports and economic zones, significantly enhancing trade infrastructure and connectivity across Africa. These investments facilitate trade, create jobs, and foster economic growth in the regions they serve. Most importantly, they translate the UAE’s ambitions to streamline strategic value chains across Africa, connecting raw material extraction to processing facilities and multimodal transport networks.

Religious Diplomacy: Fostering Moderation & Stability

The UAE is a driving force in promoting moderate Islam and supporting interfaith dialogue, especially in regions like the Maghreb and Sahel, where extremism is a growing threat. Working closely with allies such as Mauritania, Morocco, and Egypt, the UAE actively supports religious institutions and leaders who advocate for peace, tolerance, and moderation. In collaboration with Egypt’s Al-Azhar, a leading Sunni authority, the UAE helps promote a moderate interpretation of Islam. Through financial backing and joint religious education initiatives, it aims to undermine radical groups like Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Boko Haram, which have destabilised large parts of the continent. In the Sahel, where religious and ethnic conflicts fuel instability, the UAE’s religious diplomacy has been vital in fostering dialogue between opposing factions. Its support for building mosques and funding Islamic educational institutions cements its influence not just as a financial contributor but as a key partner in promoting regional religious and political stability. These efforts are further strengthened by close cooperation with strategic allies like France. Together, they lead counterterrorism efforts, particularly through the G5 Sahel Joint Force, where the UAE provides financial backing while France leads military operations.

A Knowledge Economy: Investing in Tomorrow’s Workforce

Africa’s long-term growth relies on its ability to adopt new technologies and develop a skilled workforce. As the UAE transitions from an oil-based to a knowledge-based economy, it has significantly contributed to building Africa’s own knowledge economy, with a focus on education, innovation, and the digital economy. Key organisations like Masdar, the UAE’s leader in renewable energy and green hydrogen, have been instrumental in advancing renewable energy solutions across Africa, particularly in countries facing energy shortages. Masdar, with support from partners like France’s Agence Française de Développement (AFD), has identified opportunities for solar energy projects in several African nations. Beyond renewable energy, the UAE has invested in African tech start-ups, with institutions like Dubai Chambers offering mentoring and funding. Mubadala, one of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds, and France’s national investment bank, Bpifrance, recently co-invested in Partech Africa II, the largest venture capital fund dedicated to African tech start-ups. This collaboration, started in 2021, is one of many examples of the positive synergies of a UAE France cooperation in Africa. Additionally, scholarship programs have strengthened the UAE’s influence in Africa, offering African students opportunities to study in the UAE and gain expertise in key fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These efforts are raising Africa’s economic aspirations and equipping its workforce with the skills needed for the future.

A Soft Power Holistic Approach

The UAE’s approach to Africa goes beyond resource extraction, focusing on integrating infrastructure development, religious influence, and a strong knowledge economy. By creating ecosystems that address both the spiritual and economic needs of African nations, the UAE combines soft power with concrete investments, strategically positioning itself as the potential ideal partner on the African continent.