In a wave of strategic economic diplomacy, countries from the the Middle East under the banner of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have significantly ramped up investments across Africa in 2025.
- GCC countries have intensified investments in Africa, focusing on energy, real estate, agriculture, and renewable energy projects.
- Key initiatives include multi-billion-dollar projects in Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, and Kenya, driving economic collaborations.
- The strengthened GCC-Africa ties represent strategic partnerships, enhancing economic development and regional integration.
These efforts by the GCC countries signal deepening ties through investments across energy, real estate, agriculture, tourism, and humanitarian cooperation in Africa.
According to research conducted by Afreximbank, GCC nations are reshaping Africa’s economic landscape with a combination of humanitarian gestures and multi-billion-dollar development projects, positioning themselves as both strategic partners and influential stakeholders in the continent’s future.
Country-by-Country Breakdown of Major GCC Investment Highlights:
Nigeria
Humanitarian Aid: The Saudi Arabian Embassy in Abuja donated 100 tons of dates to the Nigerian government during Ramadan as a symbolic gesture of goodwill.
Energy: Qatar’s Jeniks Africa Gas Project includes a major gas aggregation plan aimed at monetizing over 203 trillion cubic feet of Nigeria’s gas reserves. The project is estimated to be worth between $15 billion and $20 billion.
Agribusiness: In late 2024 to early 2025, Saudi Arabia’s SALIC acquired a 35.43% stake in Olam Agri Holdings for $1.24 billion.
Egypt
GCC nations have committed over $25 billion in investments across Egypt, spanning several key sectors:
Renewable Energy: UAE’s Masdar committed $10 billion to wind power, expected to produce 47,790 GWh annually and reduce Egypt’s carbon emissions by 9%.
Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power is constructing a 1,100 MW wind plant in Suez ($703 million) and a 2 GW wind farm in South Hurghada ($2.3 billion).
Real Estate: Arab Developers Holding plans to invest $62 million in 2025, nearly doubling its 2024 outlay.
Dubai-based Emaar Properties launched luxury hotel and residential projects, expanding Egypt’s high-end real estate market.
South Africa
GCC countries have invested over $5 billion in South Africa:
Energy: ACWA Power plans to invest up to $378 million in water and energy projects, following a prior $1.9 billion investment.
AMEA Power is developing a 120 MW solar power station in the North West Province ($120 million).
A $500 million investment is earmarked for a platinum smelter and metals refinery in Limpopo.
Tourism & Infrastructure: Saudi Arabia plans to invest $41 billion across Africa, with a major focus on South Africa’s Limpopo region, aligning with Vision 2030.
Mozambique
Energy: Qatar is investing $3 billion in Mozambique’s LNG projects to strengthen its global energy portfolio.
Renewables: UAE’s Masdar plans to invest $3 billion by 2030 in off-grid solar, wind, and hydroelectric projects.
Agriculture: Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company secured long-term leases in Mozambique and Tanzania for large-scale agricultural initiatives.
Zambia
Clean Energy: Masdar signed agreements to develop 2 GW of renewable energy infrastructure, starting with an initial 500 MW (Zambia is also a recipient of the $10 billion by 2030 investment)
Mining: UAE’s International Holding Company acquired a 51% stake in Mopani Copper Mines for $1.1 billion.
Angola
GCC investment in Angola in 2025 is estimated at over $1 billion:
Renewables: Masdar is developing a 150 MW solar PV project in Quipungo to electrify over 90,000 homes. ( Zambia is also a recipient of the $10 billion by 2030 investment)
Infrastructure: Dubai Investments partnered with a Chinese contractor for a $500 million mixed-use project spanning 2,000 hectares in Dande.
DP World invested over $150 million in port and logistics infrastructure, notably at the Port of Luanda.
Mining: UAE entities have invested approximately $200 million in Angola’s critical minerals sector, including lithium and rare earths.
Ethiopia
Total GCC investment in Ethiopia in 2025 exceeds $4 billion:
Energy: Qatar’s Jeniks Africa Gas Project includes gas infrastructure expansion in Ethiopia.
Agriculture: UAE’s Agthia Group and Al Dahra invested over $500 million to boost grain and livestock production.
Renewables: Masdar committed $2 billion to a photovoltaic solar project.
Finance: Ethiopia and the UAE signed a bilateral currency swap worth $817 million.
Economic Reform: Qatar-backed initiatives totaling $300 million are supporting Ethiopia’s business environment and sector liberalization.
Ghana
Renewable Energy: UAE committed $450 million to solar and wind projects.
Qatar is investing $200 million.
Saudi PIF is exploring projects worth $350 million in large-scale solar and hydroelectric systems.
Agriculture: Agthia Group and Al Dahra are investing $150 million in grain and livestock farming. Qatar also invested $80 million in agricultural partnerships.
Infrastructure: Dubai Investments is leading $400 million in industrial parks and transport-related projects.
Kenya
In 2025, GCC investments in Kenya have exceeded $5 billion:
Energy: Masdar invested $1 billion in a 300 MW geothermal project.
AMEA Power followed with an $800 million 200 MW geothermal plant.
DEWA invested $500 million in solar and wind projects.
Digital Infrastructure: Over $600 million has been invested in a green data center powered by geothermal energy.
Transport & Real Estate: GCC partners are in talks to expand Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway.
Emaar Properties is advancing luxury hotel and residential projects.
Morocco
Renewables: ACWA Power is deploying $800 million into wind and battery storage.
Masdar has committed $500 million to solar and wind energy.
Qatar has invested approximately $200 million in renewable projects.
Investment Forum: The Gulf-Moroccan Investment Forum (Nov 3–4, 2025) is expected to catalyze further multibillion-dollar projects.
Tourism: Emaar Properties is investing in luxury tourism infrastructure, including high-end hotels and apartments.
Why Africa?
Africa’s young population, projected to hit 1.5 billion by 2025, along with its vast natural resources and strategic geographic position, makes it a prime target for global investors.
With a GDP currently around $3.1 trillion and projected to reach $14 trillion by 2050, the continent is poised to become the engine of future global growth.
GCC nations: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, are aligning their investment strategies with Africa’s developmental needs.
Between 2012 and 2025, GCC foreign direct investment in Africa surged to over $179 billion. The UAE leads with $64.3 billion, followed by Saudi Arabia with $28.7 billion, and Qatar with $9.2 billion and others.
The GCC-Africa relationship is entering a new phase, rooted not only in trade and aid but in long-term strategic partnerships.
As global powers compete for influence across Africa, Gulf states are quietly securing a formidable presence across sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure, mining, agriculture, telecommunications, and logistics.
Olamilekan Okebiorun
