“In our participation in the Dakar Forum, it demonstrates the commitment of the United Arab Emirates to work with their African partners …”
In the wake of the 10th edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security (April 20-21, 2026), Financial Afrik spoke with Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. An opportunity to assess the challenges and prospects of relations between the emirate and Africa.
“The recent International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa brought together leaders to address the constantly evolving security challenges on the continent. What were the main outcomes of this year’s discussions, and how do the United Arab Emirates intend to support their implementation?”
During exchanges with African leaders at the Dakar Forum this year, including with Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, the focus was jointly on improving governance, strengthening regional cooperation, as well as investing in early warning systems, mediation, youth employment, and resilience to address the root causes of instability, including climate pressures and institutional fragility. This conference took place in a context of increased global insecurity, marked notably by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, where unprovoked terrorist attacks against the United Arab Emirates and neighboring countries, as well as disruptions to maritime trade, have demonstrated how quickly instability can cross national borders.
In many ways, this reflects the dynamics we observe in the Sahel, where insecurity can quickly transform into broader regional and economic challenges, highlighting the need for coordinated and preventive responses. In the Sahel, we support the implementation of these priorities in two ways. Firstly, through security cooperation, notably through capacity building in defense. Secondly, by investing in the economic and social foundations that promote peace, as sustainable stability cannot be guaranteed by military means alone. Our participation in the Dakar Forum demonstrates the commitment of the United Arab Emirates to work with their African partners, both on immediate security needs and on the long-term conditions necessary for stability.
“Recent regional tensions have highlighted the vulnerability of global trade routes. How are the United Arab Emirates working to strengthen the resilience of global supply chains, especially for their partner countries in Africa?”
Iranian attacks have highlighted a fundamental reality: the Strait of Hormuz is not just a regional issue or specific to the Gulf; it is a vital artery for the global economy. About a fifth of global energy supplies transit through it daily, as well as a significant portion of global gas flows, petrochemical trade, and essential fertilizers for global food production. Any disruption would not be limited to the region. It would directly affect global energy markets, food security, and supply chains, with serious consequences for hundreds of millions of people, including in Africa.
This is why Iran’s threats to close or disrupt the strait are so dangerous and must be unequivocally denounced. This is not a negotiating tactic, but an attempt to instrumentalize a vital international maritime route to exert pressure on the rest of the world. Such an approach resembles piracy and economic terrorism, and would amount to holding the global economy hostage.
No country should be able to threaten the flow of energy, food, fertilizers, and essential goods on which many countries depend. For African economies in particular, any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz would result in higher energy costs, increased pressure on food security, and additional tensions on supply chains. Iran’s behavior not only threatens the Gulf; it also threatens partner countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
In response, the United Arab Emirates maintain close and continuous dialogue with their African partners to help mitigate these risks. More broadly, the United Arab Emirates are working to strengthen the resilience of supply chains through their ports, logistics networks, energy partnerships, investments in food security, and long-term infrastructure cooperation across Africa.
Our message is clear: freedom of navigation must be protected, and international waterways must remain open. Iran must not be allowed to hold the global economy hostage. Protecting vital systems on which global trade depends is essential not only for the Gulf but also for Africa and the entire international community.
“Senegal has become a key partner of the United Arab Emirates in West Africa. How do you assess the current trajectory of relations between the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, and what are the priority areas for future cooperation?”
Senegal has become one of the most important partners of the United Arab Emirates in West Africa. What distinguishes this relationship today is its breadth: it covers trade, infrastructure, and security cooperation, positioning both countries as long-term strategic partners. In the current global context, the importance of strong and reliable partnerships like ours has become even more evident. The development of the deep-water port of Ndayane by DP World, a $1.1 billion investment, reflects a strong confidence in Senegal’s role as a regional commercial hub. This dynamic is reinforced by sustained investment flows: Dubai-based investors have committed over $840 million to Senegal in the past thirteen years.
Transport and logistics will also remain at the heart of the relationship as Senegal strengthens its position as a gateway to West Africa. Energy remains a particular area of interest, especially renewable energies, a sector in which the United Arab Emirates have already supported solar energy and battery storage projects.
More broadly, the United Arab Emirates see Senegal as a stable and forward-looking partner and remain committed to strengthening cooperation in a way that supports long-term growth and prosperity for both our countries.
“More broadly, across Africa, which sectors – such as renewable energy, infrastructure, or digital innovation – offer the greatest opportunities for expanding partnerships with the United Arab Emirates?”
The United Arab Emirates are convinced of the importance of building resilient, strategic partnerships aligned with long-term national priorities. In this context, their engagement and partnerships across Africa are of even greater importance. The greatest opportunities for expanding partnerships with the United Arab Emirates lie in sectors that combine economic growth and long-term resilience, particularly renewable energy, infrastructure, and digital innovation. In this regard, the United Arab Emirates have already invested over $110 billion on the continent in recent years.
The United Arab Emirates have mobilized over $70 billion for renewable energy and green transition projects across the continent, including initiatives such as the $10 billion Masdar program and the Etihad 7 platform, which aims to expand access to electricity to up to 100 million people by 2035.
We also see considerable potential in the infrastructure and logistics sectors. Through DP World, AD Ports Group, and funding from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the United Arab Emirates are investing in ports, transport corridors, and energy infrastructure.
Africa has proven to be a particularly receptive continent to digital innovation, especially artificial intelligence (AI). To support this momentum, the United Arab Emirates have launched a $1 billion initiative for AI in Africa, aimed at accelerating the development of AI ecosystems on the continent by supporting infrastructure, talent, and innovation. This initiative is complemented by partnerships such as the $1 billion agreement with Ghana to develop one of Africa’s largest innovation and AI hubs.
By strengthening infrastructure, diversifying energy sources, and improving digital capabilities, the United Arab Emirates are working alongside African countries to build resilient economies capable of withstanding external shocks and maintaining sustainable growth.”
