Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs at the United Arab Emirates, has held talks with Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), in Abu Dhabi to discuss enhancing joint cooperation and review key regional developments.
During the meeting, UAE and AfCFTA explored ways to strengthen collaboration in investment, with a particular focus on infrastructure and digital infrastructure projects aimed at supporting long-term economic growth and connectivity across African markets.
They highlighted the strength of UAE–Africa relations, noting that ties have evolved beyond traditional friendship and cooperation into a model partnership built on mutual trust, respect, and shared ambitions for a more prosperous and sustainable future.
In this context, the UAE and AfCFTA reaffirmed their commitment to further advancing UAE–Africa relations to support sustainable economic growth, emphasizing the importance of maintaining steady progress through strategic partnerships and coordinated initiatives.
The UAE and AfCFTA also stressed the need to accelerate the development of infrastructure projects that facilitate trade, improve logistics networks, and enhance connectivity between African economies, alongside increasing investment in digital transformation and innovation-driven sectors.
The discussions further addressed opportunities to expand partnerships between public and private sector entities in the UAE and African countries, with the aim of unlocking new investment channels and fostering inclusive economic development.
In addition, the UAE and AfCFTA exchanged views on regional developments, including the serious repercussions of Iran’s terrorist and unprovoked attacks targeting the UAE and several brotherly and friendly countries, and their broader impact on regional and international security and stability.
They also discussed the implications of Iranian threats on international maritime security, global energy supplies, and the wider global economy, underlining the importance of safeguarding stability and ensuring the resilience of critical trade and energy routes.
