Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, has underscored that achieving the ambitions of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 requires durable partnerships grounded in long-term commitment and sustainable development.
Sheikh Shakhboot stated that as the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union convenes in Addis Ababa, focus must shift from ambition to measurable economic outcomes.
He emphasized that the UAE views Africa as a strategic partner in shaping a more balanced global order, with cooperation spanning food security, climate action, infrastructure, and economic integration. Reflecting on his visits to several African nations last year, Sheikh Shakhboot said discussions with leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers centered on translating economic potential into practical results.
According to the Minister, trade integration, infrastructure expansion, energy capacity enhancement, and effective water resource management are essential pillars of inclusive and sustainable growth. He highlighted Africa’s growing attractiveness as an economic partner, citing its rapidly expanding population, consumer markets, and continental integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Sheikh Shakhboot noted that the UAE has emerged as one of Africa’s leading global investors, with investments exceeding US$110 billion between 2019 and 2023, including more than US$70 billion allocated to green and renewable energy projects. He added that the UAE has concluded 35 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements globally, including 10 with key African economies, covering infrastructure, energy, innovation, and market access.
Citing tangible outcomes, he pointed to growing trade volumes with Kenya and the recently signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Sierra Leone, which is expected to deepen commercial cooperation and regulatory alignment.
He also highlighted the importance of strengthening intra-African trade under AfCFTA, noting that it currently accounts for around 10% of total trade, compared to over 60% in Europe and Asia. Addressing infrastructure gaps, he referenced UAE-backed investments in logistics, including the US$1.2 billion Ndayane Port project in Senegal and a US$380 million expansion of the Luanda terminal in Angola by AD Ports Group. Concessional financing has also supported road and irrigation projects in Kenya and Mali.
In the energy sector, Sheikh Shakhboot cited initiatives such as “Etihad 7,” which aims to provide renewable electricity to 100 million people by 2035, and Masdar’s US$10 billion Africa programme targeting 10 gigawatts of solar and wind capacity. He further noted the launch of the US$4.5 billion Africa Green Investment Initiative in 2023 to support over 50 clean energy projects across the continent.
Among project highlights, he referenced the 50-megawatt Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Solar Complex in Togo and Ethiopia’s Aysha-1 wind power project, which is expected to deliver 300 megawatts of capacity.
Sheikh Shakhboot also stressed the importance of digital transformation, citing the US$1 billion “AI Development in Africa” initiative launched during the G20 Summit to strengthen digital infrastructure and modernize public services. Water security, aligned with the African Union’s 2026 theme on sustainable water and sanitation systems, was identified as another strategic priority. The UAE is set to co-host the 2026 United Nations Water Conference with Senegal in Abu Dhabi.
Concluding his remarks, Sheikh Shakhboot reaffirmed the UAE’s long-term commitment as a trusted development and investment partner, stating that sustainable trade integration, resilient infrastructure, expanded energy access, digital readiness, and strengthened people-to-people ties are central to realizing Agenda 2063 and supporting shared prosperity across Africa.
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