The Tourism ministry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to inject $6 billion into Africa’s travel and hospitality sector. This move is expected to create 70,000 new jobs.
The announcement was made at the recent UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit 2025 in Dubai, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai with ministers from over 20 African nations in attendance.
The meeting concluded with a joint ministerial statement outlining plans to boost collaboration in various tourism sectors.
“Today, the UAE and Africa stand at a pivotal moment in developing a resilient and sustainable tourism sector,” said H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Tourism minister.
“This milestone is marked by the launch of a new investment mapping. It features diverse tourism projects in aviation, logistics, infrastructure, and the digital sector. The overall estimated total value is approximately $6 billion. It has the potential to generate 70,000 job opportunities across Africa.
“Africa is home to a wealth of rich and diverse tourism assets. These range from coastal resorts and pristine beaches to cultural, heritage, and historical landmarks.
“These unique features present vast opportunities for the UAE business community and serve as a vital gateway for investment and expansion across various tourism activities.
“We are committed to fully leveraging this platform to transform ideas into tangible and sustainable tourism projects and partnerships that will help shape the future of economic development across the African continent.” He concluded.