South Africa Becomes UAE’s Second-Largest Non-Oil Trade Partner in Africa
South Africa has emerged as the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) second-largest non-oil trade partner in Africa, following a significant surge in bilateral trade, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), a partner of TV BRICS.
During a recent meeting with representatives of the South African Business Council in the UAE, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, explored new opportunities to deepen trade, investment, and private sector cooperation between the two countries.
Non-oil trade between the UAE and South Africa reached $8.5 billion in 2024 — a 14% increase compared to 2023 and a remarkable 120% rise since 2019. In the first half of 2025 alone, trade volume stood at $3.93 billion, underscoring the growing economic ties between the two nations.
Al Zeyoudi highlighted several key areas for potential collaboration, including food security, logistics, infrastructure, tourism, and renewable energy. He emphasized that joint initiatives in these sectors could drive economic growth and support sustainable development for both countries.
The discussions also focused on boosting private sector engagement, encouraging greater participation from businesses on both sides to strengthen commercial partnerships.
Currently, more than 3,690 South African companies operate in the UAE, spanning industries such as construction, hospitality, and financial services, reflecting the robust and growing economic relationship between the two nations.
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