African investors and business leaders at the Sharjah Investment Forum 2026 highlighted Sharjah's infrastructure and logistics capabilities as a launchpad for economic partnerships. The discussions coincided with UAE-Africa non-oil trade reaching approximately $158 billion in 2025, up 41.6% year-on-year. Business representatives pointed to opportunities across the automotive sector, consumer goods, real estate, and local manufacturing as alternatives to Asian sourcing.
Investors and founders at the ninth Sharjah Investment Forum highlighted that capital in the UAE is transitioning from AI experimentation to revenue-generating applications. MENA AI and AI-enabled companies raised $678 million in the first half of 2026, with the UAE capturing 93% of that capital. The shift comes alongside federal initiatives aiming to transition half of UAE government services to agentic AI within two years.
The ninth Sharjah Investment Forum will host specialized workshops on October 14–15, 2026, at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre under the theme 'Building Adaptive Economies'. The sessions will address AI-driven supply chain resilience, UAE tax compliance, commercial arbitration, and female leadership. According to Invest in Sharjah, the emirate attracted AED 7.74 billion in foreign direct investment in 2025.
Sharjah recorded a 45 percent increase in foreign direct investment projects in 2025, according to Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah). Speaking to the Emirates News Agency ahead of the ninth Sharjah Investment Forum, Al Musharrkh highlighted that global capital is concentrating in stable markets with clear legal frameworks. Non-oil activities accounted for 79.4 percent of the UAE economy in the first quarter of 2026.
The UECN Brief
Policy updates, China–UAE business news and industry insights, delivered to your inbox.
Business relationships in both markets
Forums, delegations and events
Policy updates and market insights
Membership
Join a network with a shared purpose.
Tell us about your experience and connection to UAE–China business. UECN assesses your application and offers the right membership category — fees are shared privately with your offer.
We send you a one-time sign-in link — your answers are saved as you go.
