The UAE and South Africa saw non-oil trade reach $8.5bn in 2024, representing a 14 per cent increase compared to 2023 and a 120 per cent rise compared to 2019.
The two countries have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade, investment, and private-sector cooperation as economic ties continue to grow rapidly.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, met with Mpho Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, to discuss new avenues for collaboration across logistics, renewable energy, real estate, agriculture, food production, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
UAE and South Africa trade
The meeting underscored the UAE’s determination to strengthen economic partnerships across Africa, recognising the continent’s rising influence in global trade.
It followed an earlier roundtable between Emirati and South African officials and business leaders, which included Fahad Al Gergawi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, and a visiting South African delegation.
In the first half of 2025, both sides recorded $3.93bn in non-oil trade. South Africa now ranks as the UAE’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, accounting for 7.6 per cent of total non-oil trade with the continent, and the 22nd largest globally.
Al Zeyoudi said, “South Africa is a vital partner for the UAE in Africa. My conversations today with Tau underscore the close bonds we share in trade and investment, including important recent projects in logistics, renewable energy and real estate.
Africa trade opportunities
“We discussed new opportunities in agriculture, food production, infrastructure and manufacturing and reaffirmed our belief that, by working together, we can build on our positive momentum and support each other’s economic and development ambitions.”
Both ministers emphasised their shared goal of developing stronger private-sector partnerships to drive mutual prosperity and sustainable development.
The UAE’s trade relations across Africa have grown significantly in recent years. With the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Angola, the UAE has now concluded five CEPAs with sub-Saharan African nations, including:
- Mauritius
- Kenya
- Congo-Brazzaville
- Central African Republic
These agreements form part of the UAE’s broader strategy to foster new trade corridors, diversify export markets, and enhance investment flows between the Gulf and the African continent.
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