The UAE has announced a $6 billion investment to accelerate Africa’s fast-growing tourism sector, supporting aviation, infrastructure, and digital innovation. Expected to create 70,000 jobs, the initiative aligns with UNWTO Secretary-General-elect Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais’s call for sustainable, inclusive, and data-driven tourism development across the continent.
Africa—currently the world’s fastest-growing tourism region—is set to receive a major boost as the United Arab Emirates announced $6 billion in new tourism and hospitality investments, a move expected to generate 70,000 jobs across the continent. The announcement was made during the UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit 2025 in Dubai, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Organised by the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism in partnership with The Bench as part of Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) World 2025, the gathering brought together ministers, global tourism leaders, investors, and development partners to chart a new era of cross-continental cooperation.
Investment Mapping and Partnership Priorities
H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, unveiled a new investment mapping comprising projects in aviation, logistics, tourism infrastructure, and the digital economy. Valued at approximately $6 billion, the portfolio aims to both diversify Africa’s tourism offerings and strengthen the UAE’s strategic business engagement across the continent.
“Our regions stand at a pivotal moment in developing a resilient and sustainable tourism sector,” said Al Marri. “Africa’s rich natural beauty, heritage landmarks, and cultural diversity present vast opportunities for UAE businesses. Together, we can transform ideas into real, sustainable tourism projects that shape the future of economic growth across Africa.”
A ministerial roundtable with representatives from more than 20 African nations concluded with a joint ministerial declaration, outlining commitments to:
- Strengthen tourism infrastructure and destination development
- Expand air connectivity between the UAE and African destinations
- Enable green and inclusive growth
- Support SMEs and community-based tourism initiatives
- Advance digitalisation and data-driven governance in tourism
Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais: Alignment With UNWTO Priorities
UNWTO Secretary-General-elect Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais participated in the summit, where her presence underscored strong alignment between the investment programme and global tourism priorities. While the formal investment announcement was delivered by Al Marri, Shaikha Al Nowais contributed to strategic discussions and delivered remarks focusing on sustainable development and evidence-based destination management.
She emphasised that African tourism growth must be paired with:
- Sustainability as a non-negotiable requirement
- Inclusive development, ensuring women, youth, and local communities directly benefit
- Human capital development and capacity-building
- Technology adoption, innovation, and digital infrastructure
- Data-driven policymaking, including the creation of observatories and tourism intelligence platforms
Her engagement highlighted the growing cooperation between UNWTO and the UAE in supporting Africa’s tourism transformation. She also acknowledged Africa’s immense competitive advantage, noting that its “unmatched landscapes, heritage, and culture provide the foundations for globally leading tourism experiences—if paired with investment, skills, and strong governance.”
Conditions and Focus Areas for the Investments
Though presented as an open partnership framework, the UAE’s investment plan is underpinned by several conditions and strategic prerequisites designed to ensure sustainable, long-term impact. These include:
1. Commitment to Sustainable and Responsible Tourism
Projects must align with global sustainability standards, including environmental safeguards, climate-resilient infrastructure, and conservation-aligned development.
