Latifa Bint Mohammed Meets African Business Leaders
- Dubai, UAE - Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairwoman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, met wiht a prominent delegation of African...
- What: Meeting between Sheikha Latifa and a high-level delegation of African business and philanthropic leaders.
- The delegation, led by Badr Jaafar, Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Business and Charitable Affairs, comprised some of Africa's most influential figures.
Dubai’s Sheikha Latifa Courts African Business & Philanthropic Leaders for Cultural & Economic Collaboration
Dubai, UAE – Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairwoman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, met wiht a prominent delegation of African business leaders and philanthropists to explore collaborative opportunities in culture, creativity, and social development. The meeting signals Dubai’s continued ambition to strengthen ties with the African continent and position itself as a hub for innovation and cross-border partnerships.
The delegation, led by Badr Jaafar, Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Business and Charitable Affairs, comprised some of Africa’s most influential figures. Key attendees included:
* Abdul Samad Rabiu: Founder & President, BUA Group & Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (Nigeria)
* Aliko Dangote: Founder & President, Dangote Group & Aliko Dangote Foundation (Nigeria)
* Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich Tin: Founder & CEO, Elin Group & Elizabeth Jack-Rich Aid Foundation (Nigeria)
* Humphrey Kariuki: CEO, Janus Continental Group & Humphrey Kariuki Foundation (Kenya)
* Johan Rupert: President, Richemont & Remgro, Robert Education Foundation Founder (South Africa)
Discussions centered on strengthening cultural and economic ties, promoting innovation, and supporting initiatives with a positive social impact. Sheikha Latifa emphasized Dubai’s role as a global center for creativity, knowledge exchange, and cross-border cooperation, and the emirate’s commitment to fostering talent and empowering the creative ecosystem. She also acknowledged the deep cultural and past connections between the UAE and Africa.
“We also discussed opportunities for cooperation and the importance of strengthening economic ties, building strategic partnerships, and exchanging visions aimed at supporting innovation and enabling initiatives that have a positive impact on the development of societies and consolidating their sustainability,” Sheikha Latifa stated in a blog post.
The meeting was also attended by key Dubai officials including Mohammed Lootah (Director General of Dubai Chambers), Jamal bin Huwaireb (Executive Director of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge foundation), and Mansour Lootah (Executive Director of Support operations Sector & CEO of Artificial Intelligence at Dubai Culture).
– robertmitchell
This meeting is a clear indication of Dubai’s strategic shift towards deeper engagement with Africa. While the UAE has long had economic ties with the continent, this focus on cultural exchange alongside business and philanthropy is noteworthy. Dubai is actively positioning itself not just as a financial hub, but as a thought leader and partner in sustainable development.The caliber of the delegation – representing some of Africa’s wealthiest and most influential individuals – underscores the seriousness of this effort. Expect to see concrete initiatives emerge from these discussions, likely focused on technology transfer, creative industries, and social impact investing. The UAE’s sovereign wealth funds are already active investors in Africa; this meeting suggests a broadening of that engagement to include more direct collaboration with African-led foundations and businesses.
Key economic Indicators: UAE-Africa Trade (Recent Data)
While specific trade figures discussed in the meeting weren’t provided, here’s a snapshot of the broader UAE-Africa economic relationship:
| Year | UAE Exports to Africa (USD Billions) | UAE Imports from Africa (USD Billions) | Total Trade (USD Billions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8.4 | 16.2 | 24.6 |
| 2022 | 9.6 | 18.1 | 27.7 |
| 2023 (Estimate) | 10.5 | 20.0 | 30.5 |
Source: UAE Ministry of Economy & Trade Data (Estimates for 2023)
This data demonstrates a consistent upward trend in trade between the UAE and Africa, highlighting the growing economic importance of the relationship. The meeting with Sheikha Latifa is likely to further accelerate this growth.