UAE Announces Multi-Billion Dollar’s Tourism Investment Plan for Africa, Aims to Create New Jobs

Published on November 23, 2025

At the recent UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit 2025 held in Dubai, the UAE unveiled a landmark $6 billion investment plan for Africa’s burgeoning tourism and hospitality sector. This strategic move is expected to not only enhance Africa’s tourism infrastructure but also generate up to 70,000 new jobs across the continent. The announcement comes as Africa records the fastest tourism growth globally, further positioning it as a key player in the global tourism market.

The UAE’s investment initiative was revealed under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The summit was organized by the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in collaboration with The Bench, as part of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) World 2025. The event attracted key stakeholders from government, business, and industry, with a primary focus on advancing tourism, aviation, infrastructure, and digital innovation across the African continent.

A New Era for UAE-Africa Collaboration

The summit also hosted a ministerial roundtable led by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism. The roundtable saw the participation of ministers from over 20 African nations, who collectively signed a joint ministerial statement aimed at enhancing cooperation across various sectors of the tourism industry. The statement outlined goals to improve tourism infrastructure, expand air connectivity, and promote sustainable, green growth through strategic partnerships.

“Today, the UAE and Africa stand at a pivotal moment in developing a resilient and sustainable tourism sector,” said H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri during the summit. “This milestone is marked by the launch of a new investment mapping featuring diverse tourism projects across aviation, logistics, infrastructure, and the digital sector, with an estimated total value of approximately $6 billion. These projects hold the potential to generate 70,000 job opportunities across Africa.”

Africa’s Rich Tourism Potential

Africa’s rich diversity of tourism assets—from pristine beaches and coastal resorts to cultural, heritage, and historical landmarks—presents vast opportunities for growth. H.E. Al Marri emphasized that these unique features offer significant potential for the UAE business community to invest in and help unlock Africa’s tourism growth. The UAE government is keen to transform these opportunities into tangible and sustainable tourism projects that will positively impact Africa’s economic development.

The Future of African Hospitality

Looking ahead, the Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa) is set to play a crucial role in accelerating investment and deal-making within the tourism sector. The summit will bring together key industry leaders, policymakers, and investors to discuss the $6 billion investment plan in greater detail, turning the framework into real projects and partnerships that can drive long-term, positive change in Africa’s tourism economy.

“FHS Africa will be instrumental in shaping the future of hospitality investment across the continent,” said Roy Bannister, Head of Strategic Partnerships for Africa at The Bench. “Our focus will be on translating this investment plan into actual projects and opportunities that deliver lasting benefits for Africa’s tourism industry.”

As momentum builds from the UAE’s announcement, FHS Africa 2026 promises to be a pivotal event in shaping the continent’s tourism future, fostering partnerships, and unlocking new opportunities for sustainable growth.

Conclusion

The UAE’s $6 billion investment plan for Africa is a transformative step towards establishing Africa as a global tourism powerhouse. By leveraging its resources and expertise, the UAE aims to help shape a sustainable, diversified, and inclusive tourism sector across the continent. With job creation, infrastructure development, and the expansion of tourism offerings at the forefront, this initiative signals a bright future for African tourism.