Chinese and UAE financial and trade authorities signed multiple cross-border investment agreements to strengthen bilateral capital flows. Key developments include an MoU between CSC Financial and the UAE Ministry of Investment, alongside two UAE central bank payment licenses granted to Ant International.
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.
Speakers at the ninth Sharjah Investment Forum stated that the UAE is positioned to become the primary crossing point for global capital flows between East and West within five years. Industry leaders attributed this trajectory to deliberate regulatory frameworks, dedicated oversight bodies like VARA, and rising investor emphasis on asset custody and trust.
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