The UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, met with his South African counterpart, Mpho Parks Tau, to discuss ways to deepen economic cooperation between the two nations. The talks followed a roundtable attended by senior officials and business leaders, including the UAE’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, Fahad Al Gergawi, and a South African delegation.
Non-oil trade between the UAE and South Africa reached 8.5 billion dollars in 2024, up 14% from the previous year and 120% higher than in 2019. The positive trend has continued into 2025, with trade volumes hitting 3.93 billion dollars in the first six months alone. These figures place South Africa as the UAE’s second-largest African trading partner, accounting for 7.6% of all non-oil trade with Africa and ranking 22nd globally.
Al Zeyoudi described South Africa as a vital partner for the UAE on the African continent, noting that the meeting reaffirmed the strength of bilateral trade and investment ties. “We discussed recent projects in logistics, renewable energy, and real estate, as well as new opportunities in agriculture, food production, infrastructure, and industry,” the minister said, adding that joint efforts would sustain growth momentum and support the economic ambitions of both nations.
South African capital finds new opportunities in development and green energy
The partnership between the two countries spans a wide range of sectors where business interests naturally align. Investors from South Africa are showing growing interest in commercial and residential developments across the Emirates, viewing the UAE as a stable destination for asset diversification amid economic uncertainty in Africa. The latest real estate news in Dubai frequently mentions the South African capital as an active player in the premium and commercial property markets.
Key areas of cooperation include:
- Logistics and transport infrastructure
- Renewable energy and green technology
- Commercial and residential real estate development
- Agribusiness and food production
- Large-scale infrastructure initiatives
For South African companies, the UAE provides access to Asian markets through an advanced network of trade hubs, a stable legal system with strong property rights, no foreign exchange restrictions, and world-class financial infrastructure for international operations. In turn, the UAE sees its partnership with South Africa as a springboard for deeper engagement with rapidly expanding African markets.
Read also: The UAE has introduced five mandatory safety rules for workers at all production sites.
The UAE’s evolving Africa strategy
Following the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Angola, the UAE now has similar agreements with five Sub-Saharan African nations — Mauritius, Kenya, the Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic. Africa has become a key priority in the UAE’s foreign trade policy for several reasons: the continent’s fast population growth, urbanisation, and rising demand for infrastructure, housing, and consumer goods. Its geographic proximity positions the UAE as a natural trade bridge between Africa and Asia’s emerging economies.
South African entrepreneurs investing in property or businesses in the Emirates benefit from another advantage — when asked whether the UAE has inheritance tax, the answer is no. The absence of inheritance tax in the UAE makes asset transfer between generations straightforward and cost-efficient, encouraging families and investors to plan long-term.
Read also: Mashriq Elite launches residential project in Jumeirah Village Circle for AED 666,000.
The 120% increase in trade between the UAE and South Africa over five years underscores that bilateral relations have evolved far beyond formal diplomacy. They have transformed into a robust economic partnership backed by tangible projects and measurable outcomes. Recent investments in logistics, renewable energy, and real estate confirm both sides’ commitment to sustainable, long-term collaboration — creating opportunities for continued growth across sectors.
