Page 468 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2025 (Part 1)

10/28/25, 8:50 AM Dubai Hosts UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit | Pakistan Point
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.”

The minister 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.

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.”

He 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.”

He highlighted that air traffic between the UAE and the African continent has been witnessing
remarkable growth, with a total of around 550 weekly flights operated by Emirati and African
airlines. This robust air network plays a key role in connecting both regions, enhancing
opportunities for cooperation and integration across transportation, tourism, and logistics
sectors.

He further noted that tourism investments attracted by the UAE totaled AED 28.8 billion in 2023,
increased to AED 32.2 billion in 2024, and are projected to reach AED 35.2 billion in 2025 —
reflecting the nation’s forward-looking vision for comprehensive and sustainable tourism
development.

The summit aims to shape a sustainable investment vision, connecting the UAE with the African
continent and further advancing economic and investment relations between the two sides. It
also seeks to reaffirm their shared commitment to promoting sustainable tourism and fostering
new partnerships across the public and private sectors in all areas of mutual interest.

The summit focused on exploring key investment opportunities for Emirati companies in Africa’s
tourism sector, including the development of tourism infrastructure, the construction of coastal
resorts and hotels, and the creation of entertainment destinations and emerging tourism cities.
Discussions also explored participation in green and sustainable tourism projects—particularly

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