Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
The Israeli Walla! website: We are running out of stockpiles, our forces are exhausted, and the lives of the captives are in danger. It is time for a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Several wounded in an Israeli bombardment of a tent in al-Mawasi, south of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli media: Three wounded, three killed in an ongoing operation in the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli artillery shelling targets the outskirts of the town of Shebaa
Al-Qassam Brigades: The targeting took place at the intersection of 'Street 5' with the western line north of Khan Younis
Al-Qassam Brigades: A NIMR armored personnel carrier carrying an Israeli soldier was targeted with an Al-Yassin missile north of Khan Younis
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes

UAE influence in Africa rivals US, China: Bloomberg

  • By Agencies
  • Source: Bloomberg
  • 21 Mar 2024 17:06
3 Min Read

The UAE has committed significant financial resources, totaling $44.5 billion last year, making it the top investor in Africa for the second consecutive year.

  • x
  • In this Aug. 8, 2019 photo, cement barriers reinforce the sea wall near the citadel in Alexandria, Egypt (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
    In this Aug. 8, 2019 photo, cement barriers reinforce the sea wall near the citadel in Alexandria, Egypt (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

A report by Bloomberg on Thursday detailed how the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has "quietly" become a key player in the African continent.

As per Bloomberg, the Gulf country has gained influence by becoming increasingly involved in African affairs, rivaling the influence of China and the US.

The UAE recently invested an astounding $35 billion to "support" Egypt, and billions more were invested in various African countries.

The Gulf country's diplomatic efforts are also observable in backing certain factions in regional conflicts.

According to the report, while Chinese investments have decreased in the African continent, and while the West is showing less consistent or enthusiastic involvement in African affairs, the UAE has made a strategic move in an attempt to fill the void left by global powers.

Read more: UAE signs 15-year LNG deal with Germany starting 2028

The report suggests that Saudi Arabia and Qatar, both neighboring Gulf states to the UAE, are also adopting similar strategies, albeit to a lesser extent.

It further says that the "Gulf states' historic North-African sphere of influence," possibly referring to Egypt, Libya, and Sudan, has expanded to include other countries "into every corner of the continent."

The UAE has committed significant financial resources, totaling $44.5 billion last year, making it the top investor in Africa for the second consecutive year, Bloomberg says.

These investments are primarily directed towards renewable energy, logistics, and technology sectors.

Related News

Germany to halt funding for Mediterranean rescue missions

Trump confirms Rwanda-DRC peace deal, gripes about Nobel Peace prize

The countries targeted for investment include Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and Kenya.

The report also mentions the UAE's role in conflicts across the continent. But unlike its broad investment strategy, its involvement in conflicts tends to be more localized, focusing primarily on regions closer to the Middle East.

For instance, the country backs Khalifa Haftar in Libya, Ethiopian President Abiy Ahmed against Tigray rebels, and Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Though the UAE has denied allegations of supporting the RSF, UN investigators have found otherwise.

From substantial government financial support and support for local leaders to managing nine of Africa's major ports through Dubai-based DP World and allocating $4.5 billion in climate financing, the UAE is exercising significant influence on a large scale.

"That’s making the nation of 10 million a force to be reckoned with alongside the traditional big powers like China, the US, and Europe," the report concludes.

Read more: Global oil industry is fueling war on Gaza: The Guardian

While the report made some valid points, it dismisses the fact that the UAE is diplomatically, economically, and militarily aligned with the US.

The UAE is in fact reinforcing US foothold in the African continent because it conducts a significant amount of trade and investment in US dollars. 

It is worth noting that like other oil-exporting countries, the UAE is part of the petrodollar system.

Oil is traded globally in US dollars, and the revenues generated by the UAE's oil exports are primarily received in US dollars. 

  • Africa
  • UAE

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS