2026 Programme

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, as both regions increasingly focus on translating vision into action and long-term impact. As trade and investment continue to expand, the emphasis is shifting beyond ambition towards delivering tangible outcomes that create lasting economic value.

Convening ministers, investors, business leaders, development finance institutions and policymakers, the Forum will explore how policy, investment and cross-sector collaboration can accelerate implementation across trade corridors, energy systems, food security, and Africa’s digital and AI future.

Through strategic dialogue and high-level engagement, the Forum provides a platform to strengthen partnerships, share practical insights, and shape the collaborations that will create long-term value for both regions.

Opening Remarks

UAE and African Ministerial keynote addresses.

From Investment to Impact: Scaling the UAE-Africa Corridor

Africa is entering a new phase of investment, where the focus is shifting from capital commitments to measurable economic impact. The challenge is no longer mobilising investment, but ensuring that policy, capital and delivery mechanisms translate into bankable, scalable outcomes.

What this session tackles:

• Where is alignment between policy and capital already delivering results, and what more is needed to accelerate implementation at scale?

• Which sectors and investment models present the greatest opportunities to scale the UAE–Africa investment corridor

• What partnerships are needed to translate investment into lasting economic impact across both regions?

Mobilising Sovereign Capital: The Next Frontier of the UAE-Africa Partnership

Sovereign capital is becoming a strategic instrument for shaping long-term economic partnerships, not just a source of financing. Sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions, family offices, and institutional investors on both sides are moving beyond individual transactions towards genuine co-investment.

What this session tackles:

• How can sovereign and institutional investors build deeper co-investment partnerships across the UAE–Africa corridor?

• Where do the strongest opportunities for strategic co-investment currently exist?

• What governance, financing and risk-sharing models are needed to mobilise larger pools of long-term capital?

Powering Africa at Scale: Energy Security, Industrialisation and the UAE-Africa Partnership

Africa's energy future is increasingly defined by its ability to fuel industrial growth and strengthen economic competitiveness, not solely by the transition to cleaner power. As demand rises alongside manufacturing and digital infrastructure, the challenge is building integrated energy systems that support long-term transformation.

What this session tackles:

• How can the UAE and Africa move beyond individual projects towards long-term energy partnerships?

• What role should gas, renewables and hybrid energy systems play in supporting Africa's energy transition and industrial ambitions?

• How can investment be scaled to strengthen energy security, expand access and support long-term economic growth?

Beyond Production: Scaling Investment Across the Agri-Economy Value Chain

Africa is emerging as one of the world's most strategically important agri-food economies. The opportunity extends far beyond production, encompassing processing capacity, logistics, water infrastructure and value addition across the agri-food value chain.

What this session tackles:

• Where across the agri-food value chain is investment creating the greatest long-term value?

• How can strategic partnerships accelerate investment, strengthen value chains and improve food resilience?

• What will it take to position Africa at the centre of the world's future food system?

Scaling the UAE-Africa Trade Corridors: Beyond Ports to Regional Connectivity

UAE investment has already transformed ports and logistics hubs across Africa's coastal markets. Long-term success, however, will not be measured by individual ports, but by the ability to connect producers, manufacturers and consumers across the continent.

What this session tackles:

• What coordinated investment and partnerships are needed to extend the benefits of coastal infrastructure to inland economies?

• How can integrated trade corridors strengthen regional connectivity and unlock new opportunities for trade and investment?

• How can logistics infrastructure become a catalyst for long-term industrialisation and economic transformation?

Africa’s AI Future: Infrastructure, Partnership and Sovereignty

For Africa, the AI conversation extends far beyond the adoption of new technologies. It is about building the digital infrastructure, capabilities and partnerships needed to support long-term development and strengthen digital sovereignty.

What this session tackles:

• How  can Africa harness AI to accelerate development while continuing to invest in the physical infrastructure essential to inclusive growth?

• What partnerships are needed to build resilient AI ecosystems and strengthen digital sovereignty?

• How can AI investment and innovation contribute to Africa's long-term economic transformation?

Closing Remarks and Networking Reception

Please note that the programme, speakers and timings are subject to change.