The Dubai Chamber of Commerce has organised 1,460 business-to-business meetings during its recent trade missions to Africa, underscoring Dubai’s push to strengthen commercial ties across the continent. The initiative brought together companies from the UAE and multiple African nations to explore partnerships in key sectors including logistics, agriculture, technology, and infrastructure.
The trade missions, which covered several African markets, reflect a broader strategy by Dubai to position itself as a gateway for investment flowing between the Middle East and Africa. According to the Chamber, the meetings generated significant interest in joint ventures and distribution agreements, particularly in East and West African markets where UAE trade volumes have been climbing steadily.
Africa has become an increasingly important trade partner for the UAE in recent years. Non-oil trade between Dubai and African countries exceeded AED 50 billion in 2025, driven by growing demand for consumer goods, construction materials, and financial services. The Chamber’s latest outreach aims to accelerate that trajectory by connecting Dubai-based firms directly with African counterparts.
The 1,460 B2B meetings represent one of the largest such programmes organised by the Chamber in a single mission cycle. Participants reported agreements in principle on supply-chain partnerships, technology licensing, and food-import frameworks. Several Dubai companies also signalled interest in setting up regional offices in African hubs such as Nairobi, Lagos, and Johannesburg.
Industry analysts note that Dubai’s trade-promotion infrastructure — including free zones, logistics corridors, and double-taxation treaties — gives UAE firms a competitive edge when entering African markets. The Chamber said it plans additional missions in the second half of 2026, with a focus on Francophone Africa.
