Dubai Chamber, in preparations to host the 6th Global Business Forum Africa in Dubai next month, released its analysis on exports and re-exports to west Africa. The data shows that the Dubai Chamber member companies’ exports and re-exports to the region surged 42% in the first five months of 2021 to reach a record of $387 million. This rise is typically boosted by a recovery in trade activity.

To recall, in 2019, analysis from the ITC released ahead of the 5th Global Business Forum Africa revealed that plastics, rubber, and sugar were identified as key products with the highest value of untapped export potential.

The top African markets with the most untapped potential- to import these products from - include Kenya, with an estimated untapped potential of $88.2 million, Egypt- $81.3 million, Nigeria-$73.3 million, Tanzania-$ 63.6 million, and Ethiopia-$35.5 million. Also, markets identified as high-potential African markets where the UAE could boost its exports of sugar included Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Djibouti, and Egypt.

UAE’s most important trading partner in Africa was known to be South Africa a decade ago. However, in recent years, trade between South Africa and the UAE has declined while other countries on the continent have been emerging as the new trading partners for the UAE. Nigeria, for example, has become a top destination for UAE’s exports and re-exports. According to the Dubai Chamber release, the Nigerian market is the largest West African export market for member companies, accounting for 32% of exports and re-exports to the region, followed by Ghana (17%), Ivory Coast and Guinea with 12% each, Senegal (8%), and Mali (4%).

Solange Che