Invest Africa and UAE to Host Africa Debate 2025, Driving UAE–Africa Ties

With investments exceeding $110 billion between 2019 and 2023, the UAE has emerged as Africa’s largest foreign investor, with $72 billion alone committed to renewable energy projects.

In a landmark move to deepen strategic economic collaboration between Africa and the United Arab Emirates, Invest Africa—a premier platform for advancing trade and investment across the African continent—has announced a powerful partnership with the Government of the United Arab Emirates for the upcoming edition of its flagship conference, The Africa Debate 2025, scheduled for 30 September in Dubai.

The high-level forum, themed “Shared Markets. Shared Future.”, will be held in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade and is expected to draw over 500 influential figures from government, global finance, industry, and development sectors. Taking place ahead of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings and COP30, the event will position Africa and the UAE at the heart of the global investment conversation around inclusive growth, climate resilience, and shared prosperity.

---

UAE: Africa’s Largest Foreign Investor Steps Up Engagement

With investments exceeding $110 billion between 2019 and 2023, the UAE has emerged as Africa’s largest foreign investor, with $72 billion alone committed to renewable energy projects. These figures represent a structural shift in global capital flows—one that increasingly sees the Gulf-Africa corridor as a new frontier for sustainable, long-term development and mutual growth.

Highlighting this transformation, the Africa Debate will showcase several headline deals, including:

• ADNOC/XRG’s entry into Mozambique’s Rovuma Basin – a strategic energy initiative.

• IHC/IRH’s $1.1 billion acquisition of Mopani Copper Mines in Zambia – boosting mining capacity.

• G42 and Microsoft’s $1 billion geothermal-powered data centre in Kenya – powering Africa’s AI and cloud economy with clean energy.

---

High-Level Endorsements and Vision Statements

H.E. Juma Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary for International Trade Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Economy, stressed the strategic nature of this partnership:

“Africa is a vital partner in our economic future. Through The Africa Debate, we look forward to strengthening our ties, building shared prosperity, and showcasing the UAE as a gateway for impactful, long-term investment across the continent.”

This collaboration, Al Kait added, reflects the UAE’s twin priorities of economic diversification and global south cooperation, and supports its evolving role as a catalyst of development-oriented capital.

Chantelé Carrington, CEO of Invest Africa, reinforced the importance of Dubai as the ideal venue for such a landmark gathering:

“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.”

---

Agenda Focus: Where Capital Meets Purpose

The Africa Debate 2025 will feature a curated agenda designed to unlock bold discussions and solutions at the intersection of capital, policy, and innovation. Key sessions include:

• Capital Meets Strategy – The UAE’s evolving role in financing Africa’s industrialisation.

• Hydrogen Horizons – Exploring Africa’s potential as a green hydrogen powerhouse.

• Leapfrogging Infrastructure – Developing smart, future-ready systems in transport, utilities, and logistics.

• Seeds of Opportunity – Agribusiness and food security as shared assets in a warming world.

• Reimagining Capital Flows – The role of sovereign wealth funds, blended finance models, and regional co-investment vehicles in building inclusive economies.

These sessions aim to spotlight Africa’s shift from aid to bankable investment opportunities, with a strong focus on green transition, digital connectivity, and youth employment.

---

Strategic Timing and Broader Impact

Set just weeks ahead of global financial and climate summits, The Africa Debate will serve as a bridge between African nations, GCC economies, and global institutional investors. With a growing appetite for commercially viable, impact-driven investment in the Global South, this event aligns with broader calls for equitable financial architecture and private-public partnerships in development finance.

The forum also aligns closely with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, as well as the UAE’s ambitions to become a leading development investor and innovation hub for emerging markets.

---

A Shared Future in Focus

The Africa Debate 2025 will underscore the emergence of Africa as a driver of innovation, sustainability, and economic transformation, and highlight the UAE’s role as a trusted partner in this journey. By bringing together decision-makers and capital allocators under a shared vision, the event is poised to redefine the UAE–Africa relationship for decades to come.

This year’s edition will not only serve as a deal-making platform but also as a space to cultivate bold partnerships that transcend borders and sectors, building a future of shared markets, resilience, and opportunity.