UAE, South Africa explore trade opportunities

A delegation from the UAE has headed to South Africa to boost trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

Headed by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the group also aimed to promote development in key sectors such as logistics, food production, tourism and energy.

The Minister also held a series of meetings with high-ranking officials to establish new joint ventures and programs, and stimulate mutually beneficial economic growth.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi said the UAE is eager to build partnerships with like-minded nations that can catalyse growth, strengthen supply chains and create new pathways for investment.

He explained, “Amid global challenges, the UAE is taking bold steps to reimagine our economy, and trade is central to our ambitions to accelerate economic diversification, create long-term, sustainable growth and attract new forms of investment. We are also at the forefront of a new era of global trade, championing multilateralism and pioneering the use of technology to drive new efficiencies and enhance access to the global trading system.

“As the UAE’s second-largest trade partner in Africa, responsible for 8 per cent of the UAE’s total non-oil trade with the continent, South Africa has the potential to become an important partner in these efforts. I have seen first-hand the dynamism of the private sector and recognise the government’s desire to establish Sub-Saharan Africa’s principal hub for industry, energy, logistics and services.

The visit included meetings between representatives of each nation’s private sector, which aimed to establish and deepen bilateral partnerships. Dr. Al Zeyoudi witnessed the signing of an agreement between the UAE power company AMEA, South African energy buyer Green Co, and Standard Bank to finance AMEA’s strategic investments into South Africa, which will help meet the nation’s growing demand for electricity.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi also met with representatives of leading South African companies operating in renewable energy, agriculture, food security, medical equipment, artificial intelligence, IT, electricity, mining and infrastructure. 

The UAE delegation then visited DP World’s operational office in South Africa where they were briefed on the group’s contribution to growing connectivity between Africa and the Gulf, which includes an extensive network of ports, dry ports, container terminals and economic zones.