How UAE is taking its Africa investment into new sectors - The Standard

UAE broadens Africa investments into AI, renewables, logistics and infrastructure

United Arab Emirates (UAE) investment across Africa is shifting beyond traditional energy and extractives into technology, renewable power, transport and supply‑chain infrastructure, with several high‑value initiatives announced in recent years. UAE entities have disclosed "more than US$168 billion (Sh21.69 trillion) in projects across Africa since 2017", while in 2025 the UAE launched a "US$1 billion (Sh129.1 billion) AI for Development initiative" to finance artificial intelligence projects across the continent.

"The Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) has described the agreement as worth US$1 billion (Sh129.1 billion)," the EIC said of infrastructure plans related to the Berbera Corridor, illustrating the scale and ambition of Emirati engagement in regional logistics and trade routes.

Those figures capture a portfolio that now spans power plants, transport links, digital services and supply‑chain facilities. In South Africa, Dubai‑based AMEA Power is developing the 120‑megawatt Doornhoek Solar photovoltaic (PV) Project in North West province under a 20‑year power purchase agreement with Eskom. The Doornhoek development is presented as a response to South Africa's need to add renewable generation capacity as it works to stabilise electricity supply.

In the Horn of Africa, DP World and the Ethiopian government have discussed developing infrastructure on the Ethiopian side of the Berbera Corridor — proposals that include dry ports, warehouses, container yards and cold‑chain facilities intended to strengthen supply chains and give Ethiopian exporters additional routes to regional and international markets. The Ethiopian Investment Commission placed an indicative value on the agreement at US$1 billion.

Kenya and the UAE have moved to institutionalise trade and investment links through a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that creates a framework for greater cooperation in technology, agriculture, infrastructure and logistics. A similar UAE‑Nigeria CEPA has been framed to expand trade and investment in technology, infrastructure, agriculture and renewable energy between the two countries.

Beyond infrastructure and energy, the UAE's 2025 AI for Development initiative targets applications in education, agriculture and healthcare, signalling a push into digital services and capacity building. Across countries, the pattern is an increasing emphasis on sectors that support broader economic activity: electricity generation, digital technology, transport and trade infrastructure.

• Scale: More than US$168 billion in announced UAE projects in Africa since 2017.
• AI funding: US$1 billion AI for Development initiative launched in 2025.
• Renewables: 120 MW Doornhoek Solar PV in South Africa under a 20‑year PPA with Eskom.
• Logistics: DP World discussions on dry ports, warehouses and cold‑chain on the Berbera Corridor; EIC values related agreement at US$1 billion.

Outlook: The economic gains from these initiatives will depend on delivery, local employment creation, skills development, supply‑chain localisation and technology transfer. While announced capital — including the headline US$168 billion of projects — demonstrates the breadth of Emirati activity, the longer‑term impact will be judged on how investments translate into expanded trade flows, resilient power systems and durable local value chains across the continent.