Page 447 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2025 (Part 1)

10/28/25, 8:46 AM UAE hosts UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit to forge a shared vision for sustainable tourism ventures across Africa
expanding the airline network in cooperation with strategic partners worldwide, enhancing internal
transport networks, and providing high-quality tourism services. This has all contributed to cementing
the UAE's status as a leading destination in today’s global tourism landscape.”

Summit: A new launchpad for strengthening UAE-Africa economic and tourism partnership

H.E. stated: “The UAE continues to play an active role as a developmental partner for the African

continent through its consistent support for sustainable economic and tourism growth. In this context,
hosting this summit under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum reflects our steadfast commitment to expanding Emirati investments in Africa and building

fruitful partnerships with counterparts in both the public and private sectors. The summit also marks a
new milestone in strengthening economic and tourism cooperation between the UAE and the African
continent.”

UAE Investments in the African Continent

His Excellency highlighted that between 2019 and 2023, Emirati companies invested more than USD
110 billion in new projects across Africa, positioning the UAE among the world’s top four investors on the

continent—after the United States, China, and the European Union—and as the leading global investor
in terms of new project volume. These investments cover key sectors such as renewable energy,
tourism destinations, logistics corridors, and digital infrastructure, reflecting the UAE’s belief that driving

sustainable development in Africa is not only vital for the continent’s future, but also essential for global
growth and long-term economic stability.

African tourism: A key gateway for UAE investment

The Minister of Economy and Tourism continued: “Tourism is one of the key drivers of sustainable
development and global economic growth. Beyond being a leisure activity, it plays a crucial role in
creating employment, empowering small and medium-sized enterprises, and fostering economic and

investment cooperation between countries. In Africa, the sector is still recovering from the pandemic.
International data indicates that prior to the crisis, it supported over 22 million jobs and contributed
around USD 180 billion to the continent’s GDP. Estimates further suggest that the travel and tourism

industry could add approximately USD 168 billion to Africa’s economy and generate more than 18 million
new jobs over the next decade, highlighting the significant potential of this sector to advance sustainable
development.”

His Excellency said: “Africa is home to a wealth of rich and diverse tourism assets - from coastal resorts
and pristine beaches to cultural, heritage, and historical landmarks. These unique features present vast

opportunities for the UAE business community and serve as a vital gateway for investment and
expansion across various tourism activities. We are committed to fully leveraging this platform to
transform ideas into tangible and sustainable tourism projects and partnerships that will help shape the
future of economic development across the African continent.”

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