With $260 billion, the UAE surpasses China and European countries in African investment leadership.
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Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:
The UNCTAD 2026 report revealed the growing role of investors Asians in Africa, especially the UAE, which has been rapidly accelerating its investments strongly since 2021.
According to the report, the cumulative value of announced UAE Greenfield projects in Africa reached approximately $260 billion, surpassing China, which stood at about $169 billion. This reflects a significant shift in the investment landscape within the continent, with a clear rise in Gulf capital, particularly in the infrastructure, energy, real estate, technology, and private markets sectors.
The term "greenfield projects" literally refers to undeveloped land or agricultural land that is converted into residential or commercial complexes from scratch. These are projects built from the ground up in an environment free of prior constraints or infrastructure, similar to building on virgin land.
These projects are ideal for companies that want to employ the latest technologies and innovate custom designs without the burdens of legacy systems.
UAE investments in Africa are double the commitments of the UK, France, and China
The United Arab Emirates has become the largest supporter of new business ventures in Africa, raising hopes for much-needed funding for green energy, but also sparking concerns that these investments may compromise workers' rights and environmental protection.
Between 2019 and 2023, UAE companies announced projects worth $110 billion (£88 billion), of which $72 billion was in renewable energy, according to FT Locations, a data firm owned by the Financial Times.
The value of these commitments exceeded double the value of commitments made by companies from the UK, France, and China, which have backed down from huge infrastructure investment projects in Africa after many failed to yield expected returns.
African leaders were also disappointed by Western governments' climate finance pledges. At the COP29 climate conference, for example, wealthy nations promised $300 billion annually, while developing nations demanded $1.3 trillion.
