The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are increasingly competing for influence across Africa, where strategic investments, political alignments and economic ambitions are reshaping the continent’s future.
While both Gulf nations publicly emphasize cooperation, their diverging approaches in Africa reveal a deeper rivalry defined by infrastructure expansion, financial commitments and geopolitical positioning.
Africa’s rising global importance has intensified that competition. The continent holds about 30% of the world’s known critical mineral reserves and is expected to account for more than a quarter of the global population by 2050, according to the UN Africa Renewal and UN World Population Prospects.
Against that backdrop, Gulf nations are scaling up their presence, but not in the same way.
The UAE has emerged as one of the most aggressive external investors in Africa. Between 2019 and 2023, Emirati companies announced projects worth about $110 billion across the continent, with more than $70 billion directed toward renewable energy, according to analysis by fDi Intelligence.
State backed logistics firm DP World plays a central role in this strategy, managing ports in several African countries including Senegal, Egypt and Somaliland. This focus on ports strengthens trade dominance while enabling geopolitical reach, particularly along the Red Sea corridor, one of the world’s most vital shipping routes as outlined by the World Bank maritime transport overview.
Beyond ports, the UAE has invested in telecommunications, agriculture and mining, positioning itself as a long term economic partner. Its model emphasizes speed, execution and commercial returns.
Saudi Arabia, by contrast, has moved more cautiously. As of 2023, total Saudi investments in Africa had surpassed $13 billion, with about 47 Saudi companies active on the continent.
Riyadh has pledged to increase that footprint, expecting private sector investments in Africa to reach around $25 billion over the next decade under its Vision 2030 reform agenda.
That shift reflects a change from Saudi Arabia’s earlier engagement in Africa, which focused more on religious and cultural ties such as funding mosques, schools and pilgrimage programs.
Today, economic diversification is driving a more outward looking approach. Saudi backed institutions such as the Islamic Development Bank have expanded financing for infrastructure and trade projects, including an $800 million deal with Uganda in 2025.
Diverging strategies in Africa
The differences between the two countries extend beyond economics into strategy and influence.
The UAE approach emphasizes rapid deal making and direct engagement, sometimes extending into political and security matters. Saudi Arabia tends to favor state to state partnerships and a more cautious diplomatic path.
These contrasting styles have created friction, particularly in politically sensitive regions such as the Horn of Africa.
In countries including Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia, the two nations have at times supported different actors or pursued competing priorities. Sudan has been a notable example, where conflict exposed divisions between Gulf powers, as tracked by the International Crisis Group Sudan analysis.
The Red Sea’s strategic importance amplifies these tensions. As a key link between Europe, Asia and the Middle East, it is essential for global trade and military logistics. Access to ports along this route is therefore both an economic and geopolitical priority.
The rivalry is also unfolding within a broader global contest. Major powers including the United States, China, Russia and France have expanded their engagement in Africa, competing through investment, security cooperation and diplomacy, as highlighted by the Brookings Institution Africa Growth Initiative.
For Gulf nations, Africa offers both opportunity and necessity. Rapid urban growth, expanding consumer markets and vast natural resources make the continent central to long term economic strategies.
However, the UAE’s assertive approach has drawn criticism in some African countries. Observers say Emirati investments are sometimes linked to efforts to shape political or security outcomes, raising concerns about sovereignty and stability.
Public perception also plays a role. Diplomatic ties between the UAE and Israel under the Abraham Accords have generated mixed reactions in parts of Africa, where support for the Palestinian cause remains strong.
Saudi Arabia may find opportunity in these dynamics. Its more traditional diplomatic approach could appeal to governments seeking less interventionist partnerships.
Despite this, Saudi Arabia faces internal challenges in expanding its African presence. Analysts point to slow implementation of policy decisions, including plans to open new embassies and deepen trade relations in parts of Southern Africa.
There is also a gap in centralized leadership coordinating Africa policy, which has slowed momentum.
Without stronger institutional focus, experts warn that Saudi Arabia risks falling further behind the UAE, which has already established a significant lead.
The competition between the two Gulf nations in Africa is expected to intensify in the coming years as both seek to diversify their economies beyond oil.
For African countries, the rivalry presents both opportunities and risks. Increased investment can drive development, but competing external interests may also complicate governance and regional stability.
Ultimately, the outcome will depend on how effectively each country aligns its ambitions with Africa’s development priorities and long term economic goals.
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