A battle is raging behind the scenes over the future of Africa, as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE storm the continent with massive investments and military moves, in a frantic race for minerals, shipping lanes, and influence. While attention is focused on the region's hotspots, the three regional powers are investing billions of dollars in Africa, controlling ports, and expanding their military presence in one of the world's most important strategic conflict zones.
Maritime Alliance and the Mecca Agreement
The immediate focus of these moves is on Saudi Arabia’s announcement of the creation of a 13-nation maritime alliance to secure shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which Turkey joined under a joint defense agreement signed in Mecca, along with Pakistan.
However, analyst Laura Tingle of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) believes that the preparations in the Red Sea are merely "a gateway to a much deeper incursion into the continent," in a scenario reminiscent of "historical competition for Africa," but this time not through colonial conquest, but through money, mining and ports.
Metals the grand prize
The economic interests are clearly evident; Africa is estimated to possess about 15% of the world's reserves of rare earth elements, in addition to its control over vital minerals such as lithium and cobalt needed for the manufacture of electric vehicles and the defense sectors. In response to this competition, countries like Congo and Zimbabwe began restricting and imposing heavy taxes on mineral exports. In contrast, Saudi Arabia has already committed to investing over $41 billion in development, industry, and agricultural land.
Türkiye is expanding and the UAE is at the forefront.
For its part, Ankara has significantly expanded its diplomatic presence, air routes, and arms exports, as well as its military involvement in Libya, Somalia, and Niger. But the country that stands out is the United Arab Emirates. According to a report published by the Financial Times, Abu Dhabi has poured more than $168 billion into Africa since 2017, including managing ports in 13 countries through the giant DP World company, and acquiring vast tracts of land for agriculture and mining.
This Emirati expansion is accompanied by political complications; Abu Dhabi has been subjected to sharp international criticism due to allegations of its support for the "Rapid Support Forces" militia in Sudan, which the UAE strongly denies. In any case, these shifts show that regional powers in the Middle East have realized what the West sometimes misses: that the future of global influence is now being shaped on African soil.
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