# UAE and global investment in African infrastructure > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uae-economic-investment-in-africa > Updated: 2026-08-10T09:58:45.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2. The United Arab Emirates continues to expand its economic footprint in Africa, with announced projects exceeding $160 billion since 2017. These investments, driven by state-linked entities such as International Holding Company, target ports in Senegal, renewable energy in Egypt, and mining rights for copper and gold in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea. Large agricultural leases also form part of this strategy to bolster food security for the Gulf. Infrastructure development is increasingly focused on enhancing mineral supply chains. In Gabon, a 312 million euro agreement involving Proparco, the IFC, and SETRAG aims to modernize the 648-kilometer Transgabonais railway, supporting a goal to increase mining’s GDP contribution to 25% by 2030. Other major regional projects include a $1.4 billion plan to revitalize the TAZARA railway connecting Tanzania and Zambia, and the advancement of the Abidjan-Lagos corridor in West Africa. The Lobito Corridor remains a critical link, supported by financing from the US DFC and the Development Bank of Southern Africa to connect the Copperbelt to Angola’s Atlantic coast. These expanding transport networks, alongside maritime hubs like Morocco’s Tanger Med and Nigeria’s Lekki Deep Sea Port, are expected to reduce logistics costs and strengthen Africa’s role in the global supply chain for critical minerals such as copper, cobalt, and manganese. ## Claims - The 753 million dollar Lobito Corridor railway project has reached financial close. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Lobito Corridor project is financed by the US International Development Finance Corporation and the Development Bank of Southern Africa. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Proparco, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Gabon's SETRAG signed a 312 million euro financing agreement. (single source) - The financing will support the second phase of the Gabon railway modernization and security program. (single source) - The project aims to increase the transport capacity of manganese and other minerals to regional and international markets. (single source) - Gabon aims to increase the mining sector's share of GDP from approximately 6% to 25% by 2030. (single source) - A 1.4 billion dollar revitalization plan is underway for the TAZARA railway. (single source) - The African Development Bank and ECOWAS completed a financing study for the Abidjan-Lagos corridor in April 2026. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-10: African infrastructure investment accelerates mineral trade growth Africa is accelerating infrastructure investment in transport corridors and railways to boost mineral exports and regional trade, supported by major funding for projects like the Transgabonais and Lobito Corrid 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uae-invests-168-billion-in-african-ports-and-minerals ### 2026-08-03: UAE Accelerates Investment in Africa and Leads Digital Finance Initiatives The UAE is boosting African investments—ports, mines, agriculture worth $160 bn—and establishing a clear digital‑finance framework with a licensing regime and the Digital Dirham, underscoring its economic‑diver 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uae-accelerates-investment-in-africa-and-leads-digital-finance-initiatives --- Cite as: UAE and global investment in African infrastructure. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uae-economic-investment-in-africa