As UAE–Africa trade reaches $158 billion, SIF 2026 reveals new investment opportunities linking Sharjah to the continent

For years, African traders who flew into the UAE headed to Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Now Sharjah is drawing their attention.

Non-oil trade between the UAE and Africa reached approximately US$158 billion in 2025, rising 41.6% year on year, with the continent’s share of the UAE’s total non-oil trade increased to 15.5%. Against this expanding commercial relationship, African entrepreneurs and investment advisers at the ninth Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF 2026) identified opportunities to deepen their presence in Sharjah through manufacturing, logistics, real estate and longer-term business partnerships.

From Zimbabwean traders sourcing Sharjah-made consumer products to Senegalese entrepreneurs exploring property investment, participants described growing interest in opportunities beyond traditional import-export trade.

Made in Sharjah, sold in Africa
For Lloyd Kashaya, Founding Executive Director, Tamara Holdings, which advises African investors on company formation, compliance, import-export and product registration in the UAE and the wider Gulf, Sharjah is already a trading hub for African traders, particularly those involved in the automotive industry.

“Most of the business between Sharjah and Africa is in the automotive industry. People come here to buy used and new parts and run their logistics from Sharjah,” he said.

Beyond the automotive trade. African clients are increasingly sourcing cosmetics, perfumes and soaps manufactured in Sharjah’s industrial areas for export to markets such as Zimbabwe.

“Instead of going to China, Korea or Taiwan, they now have the option of UAE-made cosmetics for Africa,” he said.

Bilateral trade between UAE and Zimbabwe  increased from approximately USD 2 billion in 2023 to 5 billion in 2025, although gold and minerals account for a substantial share of the total.

Khorfakkan strengthens Sharjah’s logistics proposition

Khorfakkan Container Terminal provides direct access to the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean, outside the Strait of Hormuz, giving businesses an alternative shipping route Its operator, Gulftainer, has announced a US$2 billion global trade infrastructure strategy that includes expanding Khorfakkan’s container-handling capacity and developing a wider logistics network.

“It is going to be a permanent destination now,” Kashaya said. “That will develop more trade between Sharjah and Africa, in used and new cars, spare parts and consumables.”

Sharjah’s property market attracts African interest
Sharjah’s real estate market is attracting interest from African investors exploring opportunities beyond their traditional business activities.

The emirate’s regulations permit foreign nationals to own property in designated development areas, expanding the range of investment options available to international buyers.

During the first nine months of 2025, Sharjah recorded approximately AED 23 billion in real estate transactions involving foreign investors, up 62.2% year-on-year, with buyers representing 121 nationalities.

Sharjah looks to expand its reach in Africa
For fellow Zimbabwean Simba M, Sharjah’s next opportunity lies in promoting its investment opportunities among African businesses.

“Africa is a huge market that is waiting. If Sharjah targets it more, I think it would see a lot more interest coming in.”

Simba also expressed confidence that regional uncertainty would not necessarily deter investors if they saw worthwhile investment.

“Africans will look at opportunity wherever it is. If there is a compelling investment case, I don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t consider it,” Simba said.

From Senegal to Sharjah
The interest extends beyond southern Africa. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Senegal reached approximately USD 1.3 billion in 2025, up 24.5% year-on-year. In the first half of 2026, bilateral trade exceeded USD 751 million, up 31% from the corresponding period of 2025.

For Haja Tony Diop, a Senegalese entrepreneur based in the UAE, SIF 2026 was an opportunity to explore Sharjah’s investment potential during her first visit to the emirate.

“I was particularly inspired by the opportunities in real estate, including the potential to invest in land in accordance with the applicable regulations,” Diop said.

She intends to return to Sharjah to explore further investment opportunities and develop relationships connecting businesses in the UAE and Senegal.

“I look forward to coming back to Sharjah to explore more investment opportunities and strengthen business connections between the UAE and Senegal, as well as other African markets,” she said.

She also highlighted the emirate’s green spaces and environment as contributing to her positive first impression.

Organised by the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Investment, the ninth Sharjah Investment Forum was held on October 14–15 at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre under the theme ‘Building Adaptive Economies’, bringing together more than 80 speakers from around the world.