September 27, 2021

• ‘Why Africa?’ initiative comprises in-depth analyses, up-to-date insights for prospective investors, and key economic indicators covering promising African markets.
• West Africa is Dubai’s largest trading partner among African regions, accounting for 33.2% of the emirate’s trade with Africa in 2020. 
• Initiative launched in the lead up to the Global Business Forum Africa 2021, which takes place October 13-14, organised in partnership with Expo 2020 Dubai.  

Dubai Chamber has announced the launch of “Why Africa”, a new initiative highlighting untapped business potential in West Africa, as well as the region’s key economic indicators and competitive advantages.  

The initiative comprises in-depth analyses conducted by Dubai Chamber and based on recent data from UNCTAD, up-to-date insights for prospective investors and recent trade trends.

The initiative was launched in the lead up to the Global Business Forum (GBF) Africa 2021, which takes place October 13-14 on the side-lines of Expo 2020 Dubai. 

“Africa is one of the world’s most promising regions for economic growth, which is featured prominently on many global indicators in recent years as one to watch out for. Market research is essential for UAE investors who are studying the possibility of expanding their businesses into Africa key African countries. Dubai Chamber’s ‘Why Africa?’ initiative seeks to provide such insights that can help them make a more informed business decision,” said His Excellency Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber. 

He added that the “Why Africa” initiative serves as a reference point for UAE businessmen to evaluate opportunities across various economic sectors. Such prospects will be in the spotlight at the upcoming GBF Africa in Dubai, where industry players and key decision makers from can offer an insider’s perspective,” HE Buamim said, who described “Why Africa?” and the forthcoming GBF Africa as important channels that can be leveraged to boost Dubai-Africa trade and investment flows in the coming years.

Among the key data areas covered by the “Why Africa” initiative are: population, GDP, FDI and trade trends. Home to 412.4 million people (as per 2021 estimates), West Africa is Africa’s second most populous region and comprises sixteen countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Cabo Verde, and Saint Helena. It is also one of the most economically vital, accounting for 29% of Africa’s economy. 

Sub-Sahara Africa is Dubai’s largest trading partner out of all African regions. In 2020, West Africa accounted for 33.2% of the emirate’s trade with Africa, with a total trade value of $16.8bn (AED61.7bn), making up approximately 75% of the region’s overall trade. It is the continent’s second-largest region in terms of total real GDP, with average GDP value nearing the $709.2 billion mark. 

GBF Africa 2021 is being hosted at Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo 2020 Dubai under the theme Transformation Through Trade with the forum bringing the trade and investment community together to explore bilateral trade opportunities between Dubai and sub-Saharan Africa. The event is the first in Dubai Chamber’s programme of events that it is running under its role as the Official Business Integration Partner for Expo 2020 Dubai, with other Global Business Forums turning the focus to the ASEAN region and Latin America. 

About Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry:

Established in 1965, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a non-profit public entity, whose mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by creating a favourable business environment, supporting the development of business, and by promoting Dubai as an international business hub. www.dubaichamber.com

About Expo 2020 Dubai:

Explore new frontiers, embrace the opportunities and join the making of a new world at Expo 2020 Dubai – a six-month celebration of creativity, innovation, human progress and culture running from 1 October 2021 until 31 March 2022.