Dubai Chamber Highlights Expansion Opportunities For Dubai-based Businesses In Ethiopia, Ghana And South Africa

Dubai Chamber of Commerce launched the first event in its 2026 ‘In Focus’ series, drawing more than 228 participants from the emirate’s business community. The session focused on how companies in Dubai can expand into Ethiopia, Ghana, and South Africa, and outlined practical routes for sustainable trade and investment growth.

The event also introduced upcoming trade missions planned for Ethiopia, Ghana, and South Africa during the first half of 2026. These missions are designed to connect Dubai-based firms with public and private stakeholders in these markets, helping companies assess on-the-ground conditions before committing to larger investments.

Trade figures shared during the event highlighted how fast Dubai’s non-oil exchange with key African partners is growing. In 2024, non-oil trade between Dubai and Ethiopia reached around AED 6.6 billion, up 90% year-on-year, while trade with Ghana climbed 75% to AED 24.7 billion over the same period.

South Africa remained one of Dubai’s leading African trading partners in 2024, with non-oil trade reaching AED 29 billion and growing 20% on an annual basis. Speakers stated that these numbers underline the resilience of Dubai’s economic links with the continent and the breadth of available sectoral opportunities.

The ‘In Focus’ session featured a detailed presentation on how Dubai Chamber of Commerce supports companies seeking new international markets. The presentation outlined sector-based opportunities and regulatory considerations in Ethiopia, Ghana, and South Africa, and explained the main procedures for entering each market and managing cross-border operations efficiently.

Participants in the ‘In Focus’ series are provided with extensive business intelligence for their targeted markets, as well as tailored guidance at each stage of their expansion plans. Support includes access to updated market data, advice on regulatory requirements, and assistance with company establishment processes and joint venture structures.

Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, commented, "We are committed to empowering the business community to explore new growth horizons in promising international markets and helping companies build strategic partnerships that support business expansion and strengthen long-term sustainability. This reflects our ongoing focus on enhancing private sector competitiveness by providing companies with the insights and expertise they need to understand international market dynamics and navigate their expansion effectively, while leveraging Dubai’s integrated strengths as a global hub for business and trade."

The ‘In Focus’ series forms the gateway to the chamber’s ‘New Horizons’ initiative, which allows Dubai-based businesses to join curated trade missions to selected international destinations. Under this initiative, Dubai Chamber of Commerce also arranges events and B2B meetings in host countries, supporting dialogue on investment opportunities and potential economic partnerships across a range of industries.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce, operating under the wider Dubai Chambers structure, framed the African-focused event as part of long-term efforts to equip the private sector with practical market knowledge. For companies in the UAE and wider region, the combination of rising non-oil trade figures and structured support suggests continued scope for deeper engagement with Ethiopia, Ghana, and South Africa.

With inputs from WAM