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The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprising Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates
(UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, has significantly increased its engagement with
Africa in recent years. This expansion is driven by economic diversification, strategic
investments, and a growing interest in Africa’s natural resources, infrastructure, and markets.
As GCC nations seek to reduce their dependence on oil, Africa presents new opportunities for
trade, investment, and geopolitical influence.
GCC-Africa Trade Relations
Trade between GCC countries and Africa has grown substantially, with a focus on energy,
food security, and manufacturing. Key aspects of this relationship include:
Energy Trade: The GCC-Africa energy relationship is driven by both oil exports and
renewable energy collaborations. Africa is a key crude oil supplier to the GCC, with Nigeria
exporting over 100,000 barrels per day to the UAE and Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, the
GCC provides refined petroleum products and gas to African nations. In 2022, the UAE’s
ADNOC supplied over $1.2 billion worth of refined petroleum to Africa, ensuring energy
security in countries like Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa. Additionally, Saudi Aramco has
initiated discussions for joint refinery projects in Africa to reduce energy import dependency.
Food Security: Africa’s vast agricultural lands are a key focus for GCC countries, which
import large quantities of food to meet domestic demand. The UAE, through Agthia Group
and Al Dahra, has invested over $500 million in Sudan, Ethiopia, and Egypt to secure grain
and livestock production. Saudi Arabia’s SALIC (Saudi Agricultural and Livestock
Investment Company) has acquired farmlands in Sudan and invested over $1.3 billion in food
production projects across Africa to ensure stable food supply chains. In 2023, Africa
accounted for nearly 30% of Saudi Arabia’s imported grains and livestock.
Manufacturing & Logistics: Ports in Djibouti, Kenya, and Tanzania are becoming critical
for Gulf investors looking to expand supply chain networks. The UAE’s DP World has
invested over $2 billion in African ports, including the expansion of the Berbera Port in
Somaliland and the development of logistics hubs in Senegal and Egypt. In 2022, DP World
handled over 12 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of cargo across Africa,
enhancing trade connectivity. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has also
announced plans to invest $1 billion in African logistics and transport infrastructure to
support manufacturing growth.
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