Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich, Chief Executive Officer of ELIN Group, was among a select group of African business leaders who participated in a high-level African Business Leaders Delegation to the United Arab Emirates, held from 6 to 7 December 2025.

The delegation brought together prominent private sector leaders and philanthropists from across Africa for strategic engagements with UAE leadership aimed at strengthening economic partnerships, business cooperation, and philanthropic initiatives on the continent.

Notable members of the delegation included Africa’s leading business figures such as Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Abdul Samad Rabiu and Mo Ibrahim, alongside other influential business leaders representing Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Egypt, Sudan and Zimbabwe.

During the visit, the delegation held high-level discussions with UAE leadership, including an audience with Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

In Dubai, the group met with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, where discussions focused on creating new frameworks for UAE–Africa economic cooperation.

The delegation also held strategic meetings with Bill Gates on development initiatives across Africa and participated in roundtable sessions with diplomats at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The mission was convened by Badr Jafar, the UAE’s Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, who hosted a private dinner for African and Emirati business leaders to explore actionable frameworks for cross-regional collaboration.

Speaking on the significance of the engagement, Jack-Rich described the experience as a defining moment, highlighting dialogue on shared prosperity and sustainable development between Africa and the Gulf region.

The visit also comes amid growing UAE investment in Africa, with over $110 billion reportedly deployed across the continent between 2019 and 2023, including major commitments to renewable energy and green infrastructure, as well as a new $1 billion “AI for Development” initiative.

Jack-Rich’s participation followed her appearance at the Elevate Africa 2025 conference in Gaborone, Botswana, where she delivered a presentation on sustainable infrastructure and African-led development.