G20 Leaders' Summit | Spotlight on SA-UAE relations: Saeed Al Hajeri

The article features an interview with UAE Minister of Economic Affairs Abdulla Alhajeri, conducted by SABC correspondent Sophie Mua on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Maseru, where the UAE commended South Africa for successfully hosting the first G20 summit on the African continent and pledged to enhance trade relations with Africa. Alhajeri highlighted a $1 billion commitment over five years to AI initiatives in Africa, aimed at improving education, livelihoods, energy access, and government efficiency, with a focus on benefiting South Africa and the broader continent. He emphasized the longstanding 53-year people-to-people relationship between the UAE and Africa, positioning the UAE as the second-largest investor in Africa, with mutual benefits evident in sectors like aviation (Emirates Airlines transporting over 20 million passengers to South Africa annually) and logistics (DP World). Future investments include $10 billion in renewable energy such as wind and solar in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa to alleviate energy pressures, as well as data centers in Kenya powered by renewable thermal energy, ports, and connectivity. While rare minerals are of interest, the UAE prioritizes food security through farm development, ensuring long-term, sustainable benefits for Africans, reflecting the UAE's diverse society hosting over 200 nationalities and its historical ties to the continent. Although not a G20 member, the UAE was invited for the sixth time and praised South Africa's leadership for uniting global leaders during challenging times, resulting in a G20 declaration that bridges the Global South and developed world, effectively amplifying African voices.