Page 483 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2025 (Part 1)

10/28/25, 9:20 AM UAE and more than 20 African nations agree to launch new investment
During the roundtable, ministers reviewed global and regional economic developments and their
implications for the tourism sector. They emphasized that tourism, aviation, trade, technology, and
enabling infrastructure are key drivers of sustainable and inclusive growth, job creation, and deeper
regional integration.

Shared vision for sustainable growth

The ministers shared a vision of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism-led growth that benefits
communities, empowers women and youth, supports micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises,
protects the environment, and safeguards cultural and natural heritage. They also recognized the

catalytic role of private investment, sound policies, and effective public–private partnerships in delivering
quality infrastructure, services, and skills.

Five priority areas for sustainable tourism development

The Joint Ministerial Statement set out five priority areas to bolster joint efforts between the UAE and
Africa during the upcoming stage.

The first area, Tourism, focuses on developing quality tourism infrastructure and efficient connectivity,

strengthening human capital, supporting local content and the circular economy, enhancing adaptation
to climate change, and advancing digital transformation. The second area, Investment and
Infrastructure, underlines the importance of predictable regulatory frameworks, investment facilitation,
and alignment with continental initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The

ministers called for increased use of mechanisms that allow funds to be redirected toward community
development, climate, and environmental initiatives. The third pillar, Aviation and Connectivity, aims to
expand air links, improve logistics services and facilitate mobility, recognizing connectivity as a vital
enabler of regional integration and investment to unlock tourism potential, especially in underserved

destinations.

The fourth pillar, Sustainability, highlights the need to address the growing impact of climate change on
environmental systems and the vulnerability of coastal and forest habitats underpinning international
tourist destinations in Africa. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to promoting green and climate-

resilient projects, supporting investments in nature-based solutions, encouraging the use of renewable
energy, and integrating sustainability considerations into tourism and related sectors. Finally, under the
fifth pillar, SME-financing and Innovation, the ministers emphasized the role of youth- and women-led
enterprises, as well as digital startups and business incubators in fostering inclusive growth, innovation,
and job creation, and committed to supporting their access to finance and markets. They recognized the

importance of facilitating access to finance for the private sector, including through multilateral
institutions, in order to make tourism a transformative driver of sustainable development.

UAE as a strategic partner

https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/government-news/uae-and-more-than-20-african-nations-agree-to-launch-new-investment-d1ud13tl 3/5