By: Business hallmark

The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) have been announced as the Headline Partners for the Africa Debate – United Arab Emirates (UAE). The event is scheduled to take place in Dubai on September 30, 2025.

Event Organizers and Focus:

• Organized by: Invest Africa, in partnership with the UAE Government.
• Primary Focus: Exploring new opportunities along the UAE-Africa investment corridor, with an emphasis on moving beyond individual deals to establish long-term, sustainable partnerships.
• Theme: "Shared Markets, Shared Future."
• Key Discussion Areas: Ports and logistics, industrial zones, renewables, and agri-value chains.

Strategic Context:

The forum occurs at a significant time, as preparations advance for COP30, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) moves into implementation, and global capital flows increasingly shift towards the Global South.

Confirmed Participants:

• H.E. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade
• H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State
• H.E. João Jorge Matlombe, Mozambique’s Minister of Transport and Logistics
• H.E. Dr. José de Lima Massano, Angola’s Minister of State for Economic Coordination
• H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, President of the Republic of Somaliland
• Gagan Gupta, Founder and CEO of ARISE IIP
• Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World
• Mohamed Ismail Mansour, Chairman of Infinity Power
• Admassu Tadesse, Group President and Managing Director of the Trade and Development Bank

Key Partner Statements:

Gagan Gupta, ARISE IIP CEO: Stated the forum would help channel Gulf capital into Africa’s industrialisation, linking "Gulf capital and logistics expertise with Africa’s industrial momentum to localise value, create jobs and build competitive exports."

Samaila Zubairu, AFC President and CEO: Emphasized the event as a platform to "align incentives and move projects to bankability," advancing a pipeline across climate-aligned energy, transport, and industrial zones.

Chantelé Carrington, CEO of Invest Africa: Confirmed the agenda would focus on practical issues to move projects from "discussion to delivery," including targeted matchmaking sessions.

Other Key Partners:

Strategic partners include Afreximbank and Standard Chartered. Supporting partners and investors include Absa, DP World, Moody’s Ratings, Lagos Free Zone, Infinity Power, Oyo State Government, and Standard Bank.