From Vision to Impact: Partnerships for a New Era

Now in its third edition, The Africa Debate – UAE, hosted in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, returns to Dubai at a defining moment for UAE–Africa relations, a relationship no longer shaped by ambition alone, but increasingly measured by delivery, execution and impact.

Over the past five years, the UAE has emerged as one of Africa’s leading investment partners, with investments exceeding US$118 billion between 2020 and 2024 across strategic sectors including energy, logistics, infrastructure, food systems and the digital economy. At the same time, African governments and institutions are advancing reforms, strengthening industrial strategies, and defining partnerships around national development priorities.

 Against this backdrop, the 2026 edition moves beyond dialogue to focus on impact, examining how policy, investment and partnerships are aligning to deliver tangible outcomes across both regions.

 Convening ministers, investors, business leaders, development finance institutions and policymakers, the Forum will explore how investment is being translated into impact, and how stronger partnerships can accelerate progress across trade corridors, energy systems, food security, and Africa’s digital and AI future.

 The agenda is anchored in policy-led dialogue and high-level engagement, bringing together UAE and African leaders to examine what is delivering results, where opportunities exist to accelerate implementation, and how to sustain momentum in an increasingly complex global environment.

 As global competition for capital intensifies and delivery timelines accelerate, The Africa Debate – UAE 2026 provides a platform to shape the next phase of the UAE–Africa partnership, one defined not by ambition alone, but by measurable impact, shared value, and long-term collaboration.