Dubai’s Non-oil Trade with Africa Hit $30bn in 2015

Demola Ojo

Africa’s attractiveness as an investment destination was again highlighted during the recent official opening of the third African office of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Dubai Chamber) in Maputo, Mozambique; as it was revealed that the continent’s record of successful non-oil trade with Dubai reached $29.7 billion in 2015, growing from $22.8 billion in 2011.

The opening of the Chamber’s third office came during the Africa Global Business Forum Roadshow that visited South Africa and Mozambique and is looking to visit a number of key African cities this year, including Lagos, Addis Ababa, Accra and Nairobi. In related news, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) will be hosting a roadshow in Lagos this week.

“Africa is the future. With rapidly developing economies, a strong and reliable labour force, and bountiful resources, this continent is full of potential and opportunities. Dubai Chamber has been increasingly focused on Africa, particularly the sub-Saharan region, in the past few years,” the Chairman Dubai Chamber, H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, said.

The opening of the Chamber’s office in Mozambique reaffirmed its commitment to drive trade and investment between Dubai and Africa following openings in Ethiopia and Ghana.

Meanwhile, Dubai Tourism will be hosting a roadshow in Lagos on Tuesday to further develop the relations between Dubai stakeholders and the Nigerian travel trade. Among the many Dubai stakeholders coming will be the Burj Khalifa, Damac Properties, Emaar Hospitality, Dubai Parks & Resorts, Dubai Immigration, Emirates Airlines, Emirates Holidays, Arabian Falcon, Armani hotels and many more.