Environment

Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) emphasized its pivotal role in advancing trade and investment between the UAE and Africa during The Africa Debate 2025, hosted in Dubai.

H.E. Raja Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of ECI, spoke at the panel session titled “Capital with Purpose – Financing Africa’s Next Chapter”, underscoring how Emirati investors are increasingly exploring African markets. She highlighted that ECI is actively enabling this growth by providing export credit insurance, investment guarantees, and project finance support.

Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Trade in collaboration with Invest Africa, the event focused on deepening UAE-Africa economic relations. H.E. Raja noted that both regions are shaping a new era of globalization, characterized by sustainable, diversified, and impact-driven investments.

The panel also examined the Capital with Purpose initiative, which aims to move beyond traditional capital flows toward a more resilient and diversified investment model. This approach is expected to enhance competitiveness, stimulate job creation, and promote technology transfer across the African continent.

As the UAE’s federal export credit company, ECI’s contribution is central to this vision. It plays a vital role in de-risking large-scale projects by offering credit guarantees, risk mitigation, and financial solutions. These measures are particularly important in renewable energy, infrastructure, and digital transformation projects that require significant upfront capital and long-term commitments.

Currently, ECI operates in 30 African countries, supporting UAE small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in integrating into continental supply chains while also backing sovereign-led infrastructure projects. Its portfolio includes deals in healthcare, hospital construction, emergency response infrastructure, technology, and green energy, including solar and wind initiatives. These efforts are undertaken in close cooperation with Export Credit Agencies (ECAs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), and private sector partners.

The discussions also highlighted the UAE’s African Green Investment Initiative (AGII), first announced at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi in September 2023. The initiative focuses on mobilizing resources, expertise, and local knowledge to accelerate climate finance and sustainable growth in Africa.

In alignment with the UAE’s clean energy agenda, ECI reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Africa’s transition. During COP28, the UAE pledged USD 4.5 billion to accelerate clean energy projects across the continent. ECI is contributing by providing USD 500 million in credit insurance to help unlock private capital for these projects.

The forum brought together global corporations, investment institutions, policymakers, and thought leaders to discuss ways of strengthening UAE-Africa economic ties. This marked the second edition of the event hosted in Dubai, following its successful debut in 2024 after ten prior editions in London. The UAE remains the largest GCC investor in Africa, underlining its long-term commitment to fostering sustainable partnerships with the continent.

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