UAE to establish Côte d’Ivoire embassy, Tanzania consulate

The UAE has signaled its intention to boost relations with key African countries after announcing the opening of a new embassy and consulate on the continent.

Under a decree issued by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday, the emirates will establish a state embassy to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in the country’s economic capital Abidjan.

It will also open a state consulate general to the Republic of Tanzania in Zanzibar.

Several promotions and transfers to support the operations were announced including Abdullah Hamdan Mohammed Al Naqbi from minister plenipotentiary to minister plenipotentiary of the first class and Khamis Rashid Ahmed Al-Shamaili from first secretary to minister plenipotentiary.

The UAE pledged to invest $10bn in South Africa in July, the country’s president said last month, and has made no secret of plans to expand its trade ties with the wider continent.

Read: UAE pledges $10bn in investment, South Africa says

Read: UAE wants closer trade ties with Asia and Africa, says government official

The emirates also opened an embassy in the Maldives in June.

Read: UAE to establish embassy in Maldives