UAE Boosts Africa Trade: New Deals in Energy, Mining, Food for Senegal, Gabon

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is rapidly expanding its economic footprint in Africa, with top trade official Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi recently concluding high-level visits to Senegal and Gabon. These visits saw discussions focusing on boosting investments and partnerships in key sectors like mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, and food security, building on significant trade growth observed in 2025 and early 2026. For instance, non-oil trade between the UAE and Senegal hit approximately $1.3 billion in 2025, while trade with Gabon reached over $320 million in the same period. This aggressive push is part of the UAE broader strategy to deepen its ties across Africa, where its project pipeline has swelled to over $168 billion since 2017, aiming to diversify its own economy away from oil and secure vital resources. The February 2026 signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Gabon clearly signals this ambition, working to lower trade barriers and boost mutual investments. Similar partnerships are in progress with Senegal, with new agreements covering areas from gas networks to digital infrastructure. Looking ahead, expect more targeted investments, especially from state-backed entities like Masdar in renewable energy and DP World in logistics, as the UAE aims to become a crucial economic partner for the continent. The focus on sectors like AI-powered agricultural innovation also highlights a long-term vision to build resilient food systems. However, ongoing global issues, such as disruptions to major shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz, could also influence the urgency and direction of these food security investments. The coming months will show how quickly these promising agreements turn into real projects on the ground.