Strengthening UAE-Africa Ties: A Powerful Delegation’s Mission
A recent delegation comprised of renowned African business leaders descended upon the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with an ambitious agenda aimed at bolstering ties between the UAE and the African continent. Leaders such as Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and Mo Ibrahim represented a host of nations including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Egypt, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. Their mission focused on collaboration in pivotal sectors: energy, digital infrastructure, agriculture, and sustainable development.
Engaging with UAE Leadership
Over a period of two days, the delegates engaged in fruitful discussions with various leaders of the UAE government. Among the highlights were meetings with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. The significance of these meetings cannot be overstated as they provided a platform for discussing potential partnerships aimed at fostering mutual growth.
Policy Luncheons with Influential Leaders
The delegation also arranged a working lunch with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the UAE. This engagement centered on establishing new frameworks for UAE-Africa partnerships, focusing on innovative collaboration avenues that could benefit both sides economically and socially.
Exploratory Discussions with Key Figures
Additionally, the delegation participated in high-level discussions with prominent figures such as Bill Gates, focusing on development initiatives that could revolutionize sectors across Africa. This collaborative atmosphere was further fostered by roundtable meetings with UAE ambassadors and diplomats at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, facilitating stronger diplomatic ties.
Promoting Cross-Regional Collaboration
The UAE’s efforts to nurture cross-regional collaborations saw His Excellency Badr Jafar, UAE Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, playing a pivotal role by convening the delegation. During a private dinner with influential UAE philanthropists and African business leaders, discussions revolved around actionable frameworks aimed at enhancing partnerships across regions.
Voices of the Delegation
Reflecting on the significance of this meeting, Jack-Rich eloquently stated, “It was a surreal and powerful honour to stand in a room shaped by Africa’s most formidable visionaries.” She emphasized the dialogue held with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which explored a bold new chapter of UAE–Africa partnership and shared prosperity.
This sentiment echoed throughout the delegation as Jack-Rich publicly expressed gratitude to H.E. Badr Jafar for orchestrating the gathering of influential figures from both the UAE and Africa.
Investments in African Development
The visit provided a timely backdrop to discuss the substantial investments the UAE has made across Africa. From 2019 to 2023, over $110 billion was deployed to the continent, with more than $70 billion earmarked for renewable energy and green infrastructure. Recently, the UAE even launched a $1 billion initiative titled "AI for Development," aimed at financing artificial intelligence projects focused on education, agriculture, and infrastructure in Africa.
A Call for Infrastructure Development
Jack-Rich’s commitment to continuously foster African-led development was further showcased during her recent participation at the Elevate Africa 2025 conference held in Gaborone, Botswana. Speaking on "Sustainable Infrastructure for Economic Transformation," she stressed the importance of building African infrastructure with confidence and ambition, meeting global standards and transforming the continent’s economic landscape.
About Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich
Elizabeth Jack-Rich exemplifies the modern African entrepreneur. As the CEO of ELIN Group, she is not only a business leader but also a fervent advocate for infrastructure development and sustainable economic transformation in Africa. Her leadership in ELIN Air, which recently achieved a milestone by becoming the first African aviation company to successfully complete significant maintenance on a Bombardier Challenger CL604 aircraft, underscores her commitment to elevating African standards in technical excellence. Jack-Rich frequently speaks at continental forums, emphasizing economic mobility and the continent’s developmental trajectory.
The structure of this article provides a thorough overview of the significant visit, delving deep into each aspect of the delegation’s mission, engagements, and goals without wrapping it up in a conventional conclusion.
