Deconstructing the (im)balance: asymmetry in Emirati-African relations

Abstract

The United Arab Emirates has become a leader in economic development and sectoral diversification, mostly due to its unique ability to trade with everyone at any time. As such, it has been present in various parts of Africa for the better half of their existence. Developing relations with states on the continent, albeit not a priority, has certainly constituted a significant aspect of Emirati power-building, though not without a significant imprint on its partners.

The aim of this article is to examine the implications of the United Arab Emirates’ current presence in Africa for African nation-states, local communities, and the environment. As this study aspires to situate the UAE’s foreign policies within broader debates on international relations theory, it is argued that its current activity in the analysed regions is an exemplary case of highly asymmetrical partnership: providing contracting states with the capital needed for development and direct assistance in the short-term perspective, but also encroaching on their sovereignty.