A delegation of prominent African business leaders recently concluded a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates, aiming to strengthen ties in key sectors including energy, digital infrastructure, agriculture, and sustainable development.
Strengthening UAE-Africa Partnerships
The delegation included Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Mo Ibrahim, and other influential figures representing Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Egypt, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. Discussions focused on fostering partnerships in energy, digital infrastructure, agriculture, and sustainable development.
Over two days, the delegation engaged in substantive discussions with UAE leadership, including an audience with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
In Dubai, the delegation held a working lunch and policy discussions with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, exploring new frameworks for UAE-Africa partnership.
The group also participated in strategic discussions with Bill Gates on development initiatives and held roundtable meetings with UAE ambassadors and diplomats at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
His Excellency Badr Jafar, UAE Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, convened the delegation and hosted a private dinner with UAE philanthropists and African business leaders, where discussions centered on creating actionable frameworks for cross-regional collaboration.
“It was a surreal and powerful honour to stand in a room shaped by Africa’s most formidable visionaries – Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Mo Ibrahim, and other brilliant leaders driving the continent’s rise. In dialogue with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we explored a bold new chapter of UAE–Africa partnership and shared prosperity,” stated Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich.
Jack-Rich also expressed appreciation to H.E. Badr Jafar and officials from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their support in bringing the delegation together.
The delegation’s visit builds on substantial UAE investment momentum in Africa. Between 2019 and 2023, the UAE deployed over $110 billion across the continent, including more than $70 billion in renewable energy and green infrastructure. The UAE recently launched a $1 billion ‘AI for Development’ initiative to finance artificial intelligence projects in African education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Jack-Rich’s participation followed her session at the Elevate Africa 2025 conference in Gaborone, Botswana, where she spoke on “Sustainable Infrastructure for Economic Transformation,” emphasizing building African infrastructure from a position of confidence.
“Africa is ready, and we must continue to build like it,” Jack-Rich stated at the Elevate Africa conference.
About Dr Elizabeth Jack-Rich
Elizabeth Jack-Rich is the CEO of ELIN Group, a Nigerian business leader, infrastructure development advocate, and thought leader on sustainable economic transformation in Africa. In June 2025, ELIN Air, a subsidiary of ELIN Group, became the first African aviation company to complete the historic 7,800 landings maintenance check on a Bombardier Challenger CL604 aircraft, demonstrating Nigerian technical excellence and establishing new standards for African aviation maintenance capabilities. She speaks regularly at continental forums on infrastructure, economic mobility, and Africa’s development trajectory.
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