Elizabeth Jack-Rich, Nigerian business leader and chief executive officer of ELIN Group, was among a select group of Africa’s top private-sector leaders invited to the African Business Leaders Delegation to the United Arab Emirates held from December 6–7, 2025.
The high-level mission brought together influential CEOs and philanthropists from across the continent to strengthen economic cooperation with the UAE and accelerate development-focused partnerships in key sectors.
The delegation included prominent African business figures such as Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and Mo Ibrahim, alongside leading representatives from Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Egypt, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. Discussions focused on expanding UAE–Africa collaboration across energy, digital infrastructure, agriculture, green development, and philanthropy.
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During the two-day engagement, the delegation held strategic meetings with UAE leadership, including an audience with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
In Dubai, the group participated in a policy roundtable and working lunch with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, exploring new frameworks for UAE–Africa economic cooperation.
The visiting leaders also met with global philanthropist Bill Gates to discuss development financing and innovation opportunities, and later held closed-door sessions with senior diplomats at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The delegation was convened by H.E. Badr Jafar, UAE Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, who hosted a private dinner with UAE philanthropists and African business leaders to chart actionable strategies for cross-regional development.
Reflecting on the mission, Jack-Rich described the experience as a defining moment for African private-sector leadership.
“It was a surreal and powerful honour to stand in a room shaped by Africa’s most formidable visionaries: Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Mo Ibrahim, and other brilliant leaders driving the continent’s rise. In dialogue with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we explored a bold new chapter of UAE–Africa partnership and shared prosperity,” she said.
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She also expressed appreciation to Badr Jafar and UAE officials for convening the dialogue and reinforcing the UAE’s long-term commitment to Africa.
The visit comes as the UAE deepens its investment presence on the continent. Between 2019 and 2023, the UAE deployed more than $110 billion in Africa, including over $70 billion targeted at renewable energy and green infrastructure. The country recently launched a $1 billion “AI for Development” initiative to support artificial intelligence projects in African agriculture, education, and infrastructure.
Jack-Rich’s participation follows her engagement at the Elevate Africa 2025 conference in Gaborone, Botswana, where she delivered a keynote address on “Sustainable Infrastructure for Economic Transformation.” She emphasised the importance of bold, future-ready infrastructure built to global standards.
“Africa is ready, and we must continue to build like it,” she said, reaffirming her advocacy for African-led development strengthened by strategic global partnerships.
