By Ajong Mbapndah L
The Africa GCC Council has announced the establishment of its new regional headquarters in the United Arab Emirates, a strategic move that underscores its commitment to strengthening economic cooperation, investment, trade and innovation between Africa and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The announcement comes as the Council prepares to participate in an exclusive invitation-only gathering hosted by the Emirates Entrepreneurship Association (EEA) at Dubai’s prestigious AXD Space Club, where entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders and institutional stakeholders will explore new opportunities for international collaboration.
The event provides the Africa GCC Council with an opportunity to showcase its expanding platform and reinforce its mission of creating stronger commercial and investment links between Africa and the Gulf, at a time when both regions are seeking deeper economic integration and private sector partnerships.
“The establishment of our regional headquarters in the United Arab Emirates represents another important milestone in our journey,” the Council said in announcing the development. “Dubai will serve as our strategic hub for the Middle East and our gateway for expanding Africa-GCC cooperation.”
By choosing Dubai as its Middle East base, the Council positions itself at one of the world’s leading global business and financial centres, providing easier access to investors, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, multinational corporations and development partners increasingly interested in African opportunities.
The new regional office is expected to accelerate several flagship initiatives designed to facilitate investment flows and commercial engagement between Africa and GCC countries. These include the Africa Pavilion at AIM Congress 2026, strategic investment deal rooms, family office and sovereign investment engagement platforms, the ambitious One Million Startups Initiative, public-private partnership development, and cross-border business and trade facilitation.
Collectively, these initiatives aim to connect governments, investors, entrepreneurs and businesses while supporting sustainable economic growth across both regions.
The Council noted that Dubai’s reputation as a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and international commerce makes it an ideal location from which to coordinate its expanding portfolio of activities across the Middle East and Africa.
The move also comes amid growing momentum in Africa-GCC relations, with Gulf investors increasingly targeting opportunities in infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, technology, tourism and digital transformation across the African continent. African governments, in turn, are actively seeking long-term investment partnerships that support industrialisation, job creation and economic diversification.
The Africa GCC Council said its UAE headquarters will serve as a bridge connecting public and private sector stakeholders while facilitating meaningful partnerships capable of delivering tangible economic impact.
The Council also acknowledged the contribution of Ayman Al Awadhi, describing him as an important local business partner supporting its expansion into the UAE.
Attention is now turning to AIM Congress 2026, where the Africa GCC Council will once again host the Africa Pavilion during the global investment forum scheduled for September 7-9, 2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The Pavilion is expected to serve as a major platform for African governments, investment promotion agencies, private sector leaders, entrepreneurs and development institutions to showcase investment opportunities, attract strategic capital and forge new partnerships with GCC and international investors.
With its guiding vision of becoming “The Voice of Africa in the Heart of the Middle East,” the Africa GCC Council believes the establishment of its Dubai headquarters marks the beginning of a new chapter in promoting stronger Africa-GCC economic relations through investment, entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable development.
As preparations intensify for AIM Congress 2026, the Council says its expanding presence in Dubai reflects a long-term commitment to creating practical opportunities that connect African markets with Gulf capital, expertise and global business networks, further positioning both regions for shared prosperity in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
