Page 530 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2025 (Part 1)

10/28/25, 9:26 AM UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit launches $6bn investment mapping, projecting to generate 70,000 jobs
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.

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.

The ministers reaffirmed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a cornerstone of

regional integration and competitiveness. They welcomed collaboration with strategic partners,
including the UAE, whose engagement can mobilize capital and connectivity in ways that reinforce
the implementation of AfCFTA and regional value chains.

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