Fostering Collaboration in a Changing Global Landscape: Trade, Investment, and Geopolitical Dynamics of Gulf-Africa Relations

Workshop Concept

This workshop aims to critically discuss the multifaceted dimensions of Gulf-Africa relations. Bringing together experts, academics, and policymakers, the event will provide a platform to analyse current trends, assess mutual interests, and explore future opportunities for deeper collaboration.

The contemporary relationship between the Gulf states and the nations of Africa represents a critical, yet under-theorized, axis of South-South cooperation and geopolitical contestation. Moving beyond hydrocarbon economies, Gulf states are deploying strategic capital financial, military, and religious to secure long-term food, energy, and geopolitical security, fundamentally altering their engagement with the African continent.

The workshop will feature a dedicated discussion on Gulf-Africa economic and development cooperation. As Gulf states increasingly invest in Africa’s agricultural sector, partnerships in food security and agribusiness represent a significant strategic opportunity. Furthermore, renewable energy initiatives, particularly in solar and wind power, offer substantial potential for sustainable growth, aligning with the long-term developmental objectives of both regions.

The second segment of this workshop will examine trade and investment dynamics between the Gulf region and Africa. Africa is home to the world’s youngest and most rapidly expanding demographic, alongside rapidly urbanizing populations and pioneering advancements in sectors ranging from financial technology to renewable energy. These developments create significant potential for sustained and inclusive economic expansion that leverages the continent’s considerable human capital and natural endowments to generate prosperity both within Africa and globally. The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2021, coupled with the ongoing development of export-import infrastructure, is poised to fundamentally transform Africa’s economic engagements with international partners. Concurrently, as Gulf states pursue strategic economic diversification away from hydrocarbon dependency, Africa’s extensive consumer markets and substantial resource reserves offer substantial opportunities for reciprocal investment flows.

A principal thematic focus will further encompass the geopolitical and security dimensions of Gulf-Africa relations. China and US rivalry in the very centre of Africa shapes Gulf-Africa relations. This military competition leads the proliferation of Gulf state military installations in strategic locations such as Djibouti and Eritrea, in addition to broader security partnerships, underscores converging priorities regarding regional stability. The enhancement of intelligence coordination frameworks and collaborative counterterrorism initiatives targeting organizations such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram have become increasingly imperative for effectively mitigating transnational security challenges.

An additional thematic pillar of the workshop will address climate change and sustainability initiatives between Gulf and African states. Numerous African and Gulf countries confront severe environmental vulnerabilities, particularly hydrological stress and progressive desertification. Cooperative ventures in green technology transfer, large-scale desalination programs, and sustainable urban planning possess the capacity to establish pioneering models for climate adaptation within Global South contexts.

The concluding analytical segment will investigate the historical and religious interconnectedness among these regional partners. Enduring Islamic affiliations continue to substantively shape bilateral relations, manifested through transnational educational programs, philanthropic activities, and media partnerships. These soft power instruments constitute a fundamental mechanism for cultivating sustained cross-cultural dialogue and mutual comprehension.

Given the robust thematic scope and anticipated scholarly rigor, the workshop is conceived as the foundational step toward a significant academic publication. Based on the quality and coherence of the submitted abstracts and subsequent full manuscripts, the organizers will pursue one of two publication avenues. First, a special issue in a high-impact, peer-reviewed international relations, political economy, or area studies journal (e.g., Review of International Political Economy, African Affairs, The Journal of Modern African Studies, Middle East Policy). Second an edited volume to be proposed to leading academic presses in international relations and political economy, such as Routledge, Palgrave Macmillan, or Lexington Books, as part of a recognized series.

Against this background, the workshop expects papers from various academic spectrum and discipline to address, but not limit themselves to, the following topics:

• Historical trajectories, re-examining the ancient Indian Ocean Trade Routes as a Blueprint for Modern Connectivity between Gulf and Africa
• Analysing the Drivers and Implications of Gulf Sovereign Wealth in African Agri-Food Systems
• The AfCFTA as a Game Changer: How the African Continental Free Trade Area Reshapes Gulf Investment Strategies
• Securing the Horn: A Critical Geopolitical Analysis of Gulf Military Bases in the Red Sea Littoral
• China-US rivalry in Africa: The Reflection of Gulf-Africa Relations
• Beyond Extraction: Frameworks for Mutually Beneficial Partnerships in Critical Minerals and Renewable Energy
• The Soft Power Arsenal: The Role of Media and Philanthropy in Shaping Gulf Influence in Africa
• Intelligence-Sharing and Counterterrorism: Assessing the Efficacy of Gulf-Africa Security Cooperation Against Transnational Threats
• Bridging the Desert: Knowledge Transfer and Joint Innovation in Water Management and Desalination Technology
• The Diaspora as a Bridge: The Economic and Social Role of African Communities in the Gulf States