Gulf region wants to export its expertise to Africa
The Gulf region is actively working to strengthen its business relationship with Africa.
Essa Ali AlZaabi
The Dubai Chamber, the emirate’s business promotion agency, is this week hosting a number of African government and business leaders for the Africa Global Business Forum, held at the opulent Atlantis hotel. Coincidentally, or maybe not, South African hospitality tycoon Sol Kerzner was one of the developers of the hotel.
The guest list includes Nigerian cement magnate Aliko Dangote, Tanzania’s METL group CEO Mohammed Dewji, and Zimbabwe’s Strive Masiyiwa, founder of Econet Wireless.
The Dubai Chamber plans to boost the presence of Gulf companies in Africa, while at the same time position Dubai has a gateway for investment into the continent.
“We can see many opportunities of co-operation and partnership happening between this region and Africa,” says Essa Ali AlZaabi, a senior vice president at the Dubai Chamber.
The Chamber has already established an office in Ethiopia, with additional branches planned for Ghana and Mozambique.
AlZaabi adds the region wants to export its expertise in areas such as infrastructure and tourism to Africa.
According to the African Press Organisation, Dubai’s non-oil trade with Africa has increased by 141%, up from AED37.9bn in 2008 to AED91.3bn (US$25bn) in 2013. The number of African companies operating in Dubai has also grown by 171% from 2008 to mid-2014.