Business leaders in Kenya are being pushed to change their perspective of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as just a luxury vacation spot to a country with a wealth of economic potential.
The conversation is being held in advance of the Africa UAE Summit, a four-part live webinar series that will begin on March 14 and run every Thursday at 8 pm Kenyan time during the holy month of Ramadan.
Boni Nyaga, CEO of Mawaitha, emphasized the need for deeper business engagement between Kenya and the United Arab Emirates.
Nyaga, who is set to moderate the Africa UAE Business Summit, expressed his shock at the limited understanding of the business potential between the two regions.
He pointed out that although many in Dubai are aware of the prospects in Africa, they lack the necessary skills to enter the continent's marketplaces.
The goal of the Africa UAE Business Summit, according to Nyaga, is to close this divide and promote development in both areas.
The summit marks a significant shift in focus, recognizing the UAE, particularly Dubai, as more than just a tourist destination for Kenyan business executives and Kenyan citizens.
"With its status as a major financial hub and easy access to global markets, the UAE offers a wealth of business opportunities. The summit's focus is to capitalize on these connections, creating new partnerships and opportunities for growth," Nyaga said.
William Stenhouse, CEO and founder of the UAE Africa Networking Group highlighted the challenges faced by many African companies in navigating the UAE market due to a lack of local knowledge.
He explained that the summit would be a game-changer, connecting African businesses with UAE experts and thought leaders to bridge this gap.
Stenhouse views the summit as an opportunity for African companies to gain insights, explore potential, and form partnerships for mutual benefit and growth.
Industry leaders and thought leaders will share their thoughts on handling business possibilities in the United Arab Emirates throughout the webinar series at the Summit.
Participants will also discover the unrealized business opportunities that Africa presents to UAE companies.
The goal of this interactive platform, according to Stenhouse, is to help both sides' businesses grow significantly and form new alliances and partnerships.