The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), through the Dubai Center for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), has partnered with the South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) to help launch a dedicated AI trade & investment hub with the aim of fast-tracking cross-border collaboration and unlocking new avenues for AI startups and investors across Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of Dubai AI Week 2025, which concludes today following a week of action-packed summits and events that highlighted the UAE’s emergence as a hub for AI.
“AI is redrawing the map of global opportunity, and cross-continental collaboration is key to navigating it. This partnership is designed to help ideas, talent and capital flow freely across borders. By connecting dynamic and fast-growing ecosystems, we’re supporting startups in emerging markets and shaping a more inclusive future in AI,” stated Saeed Al Falasi, director of the DCAI.
Hub to support AI development in emerging markets
Dubai’s DCAI will be the South African association’s Middle East launch partner, joining various regional partners, including those from Europe, to drive AI growth across Africa. By addressing barriers around market access and capital, the hub will serve as a catalyst for trade, innovation exchange and responsible AI development in high-potential, emerging markets.
“AI investment is growing rapidly across Europe and the Middle East, but Africa’s innovation landscape is underrepresented, despite being home to some of the most dynamic startups in the world. Our partnership with the Dubai Center for Artificial Intelligence and other partners is a strategic step to help close that gap by giving African startups greater access to global capital, markets and networks,” stated Dr. Nick Bradshaw, founder and chairman of SAAIA.
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Tapping Africa’s AI potential
Recent success stories such as the $628 million acquisition of Tunisian AI startup InstaDeep highlight Africa’s untapped AI potential. With the support of Dubai’s AI center and South Africa’s SAAIA, the new hub will matchmake startups and investors, support business expansion and amplify the voices of emerging AI ecosystems.
In 2024, African startups raised $3.2 billion in equity and debt funding, showing great resilience. Equity funding amounts remained stable at $2.2 billion while debt dropped 17 percent to $1 billion. Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya continued to dominate the market last year.
A recent report by Partech revealed that the African tech sector attracted only 7 percent less capital than in 2023, demonstrating resilience. Positive trends, such as increased investor participation and the rise of megadeals, were tempered by challenges, including a slowdown in Series A and B deal flow, longer fundraising timelines and a rise in extension rounds.
“This isn’t just a symbolic partnership—it’s a functional pipeline for AI-driven trade and investment between Africa, the Middle East and beyond. It’s time to act, and we’re thrilled to be moving forward with Dubai as our regional partner,” added Bradshaw.
