Dubai Chambers has explored avenues to expand trade and investment between the emirate and South Africa’s Western Cape province during discussions with Premier Alan Winde in Cape Town. The meeting formed part of a broader trade mission aimed at supporting Dubai-based companies seeking to enter the South African market while fostering partnerships across multiple sectors. Salem AlShamsi, executive vice president of international relations at Dubai Chambers, led the delegation and emphasised the strategic value of closer economic links. The chamber said in a statement that the talks highlighted mutual interests in developing sustainable business collaborations that benefit both regions.
AlShamsi described South Africa as an important strategic partner for Dubai’s business community given its prominent economic position and strong growth potential. He noted that the Western Cape stands out as a dynamic economic hub with particular strengths in food trade along with political stability, world-class infrastructure and a skilled workforce. The statement from Dubai Chambers added that the province’s proven track record of investment success makes it well positioned for expanded cooperation. These observations align with Dubai’s established role as a global hub for finance, logistics, tourism and innovation.
Winde for his part affirmed the province’s dedication to building new economic bridges with the United Arab Emirates and particularly Dubai. “The Western Cape is committed to deepening and expanding trade relations with the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai, as we build new bridges of opportunity between our regions,” he said. The premier’s remarks came as the two sides reviewed potential joint initiatives that could drive inclusive growth and job creation on both sides. The discussions underscored a shared interest in advancing high-quality investments and long-term partnerships.
The talks focused on collaboration in renewable energy, agri-processing, technology and infrastructure in addition to food trade, according to the Dubai Chambers statement. AlShamsi pointed out that Dubai’s integrated business environment offers South African companies a platform to expand their global reach while the Western Cape’s capabilities complement the emirate’s strengths. He further stated, “Dubai’s position as a global hub for finance, logistics, tourism and innovation aligns strongly with the Western Cape’s vision for inclusive economic growth and job creation. We see enormous potential for collaboration across sectors such as renewable energy, agri-processing, technology, and infrastructure, among others.” The mission included a series of bilateral business meetings that allowed participating companies to explore concrete opportunities firsthand.
South Africa represented Dubai’s fifth-largest trading partner in Africa last year, a position that the trade mission sought to build upon through direct engagement. UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs figures show that non-oil trade between the two countries reached approximately $8.5 billion in 2024, marking a 14 percent increase from 2023 and more than doubling since 2019. The first half of 2025 alone produced nearly $4 billion in non-oil trade, illustrating the momentum in bilateral economic relations. UAE investments in South Africa have also grown substantially in recent years, exceeding $2.5 billion in the first half of 2026.
The latest meeting builds on the establishment of a Dubai International Chamber representative office in Cape Town in 2025, an initiative designed to provide ongoing support for businesses navigating both markets. That office continues to facilitate connections, offer market insights and assist with networking for companies from Dubai and the Western Cape alike. AlShamsi said the current trade mission reflects the significance attached to the South African market and creates a platform for companies to benefit from opportunities in both Dubai and the Western Cape. Dubai Chambers, restructured in 2021 to include specialised arms for commerce, international business and the digital economy, maintains a focus on empowering enterprises through access to influential global networks.
Further engagement is expected to translate the identified priorities into tangible projects that enhance supply chains and promote technology transfer between the two regions. The statement from Dubai Chambers noted that such cooperation supports the broader goal of sustainable economic development while leveraging the complementary advantages each side brings to the table. Officials from both delegations expressed satisfaction with the productive exchange and committed to follow-up actions that maintain the pace of collaboration established during the Cape Town visit.
