Johannesburg, 16 September 2026 – The United Arab Emirates and South Africa have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment cooperation, following high-level engagements between the two countries at AIM Congress 2026.
The engagement between the UAE and South Africa formed part of a broader programme of bilateral discussions held by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, during the congress. The discussions underscored the UAE’s continued focus on expanding economic partnerships with priority markets and identifying practical opportunities for trade, investment and private-sector collaboration.
During his meeting with Mpho Parks Tau, South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Dr. Al Zeyoudi discussed opportunities to deepen economic ties across manufacturing, agribusiness, minerals beneficiation and logistics, while also exploring ways to strengthen linkages between businesses in both countries.
The discussions build on the growing commercial relationship between the two economies and point towards greater cooperation in sectors with potential to support industrial development, value-added production and more integrated supply chains.
The UAE’s engagement with South Africa at AIM Congress also reflects the importance of the country within the UAE’s wider African trade strategy. South Africa is a key economic partner on the continent, with opportunities spanning trade, investment and private-sector cooperation.
The congress provided a platform for both sides to advance discussions around these opportunities while connecting government priorities with the interests and capabilities of the private sector. With 191 countries and organisations participating, AIM Congress 2026 reinforced Dubai’s role as a platform for international investment dialogue and economic partnership.
Commenting on the wider bilateral engagements held during the congress, Dr. Al Zeyoudi said that the breadth of participation reflected a growing global appetite to partner with the UAE across trade, investment and the digital economy. He noted that the meetings were aimed at identifying concrete avenues for collaboration and advancing shared commitments to sustainable and mutually beneficial economic growth.
The UAE and South Africa will continue to explore opportunities to translate this strengthened dialogue into deeper commercial partnerships, with a focus on expanding bilateral trade, encouraging investment and creating stronger connections between businesses in both markets.
