The United States' decision to allow their public companies to invest in the Sahara has encouraged the United Arab Emirates to forge partnerships with the Americans for the development of strategic projects in the region. DR ‹ › In coordination with the Trump administration, Emirati investors are now turning their attention to the Sahara, following the recognition by both countries of Morocco's sovereignty over the region. «A new alliance is emerging to finance strategic projects in Western Sahara» between Abu Dhabi and Washington, reported Africa Intelligence on Thursday, December 11. According to the outlet, the United Arab Emirates is preparing to partner with the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and American companies interested in investing in the southern provinces. The US Export-Import Bank (EXIM), Washington's official export credit agency, is also expected to be involved in this partnership. The Emirates' goal, the report notes, is to establish sector-specific joint ventures to secure and expand their investments. Abu Dhabi is seeking to consolidate its economic influence through shared, long-term projects, particularly in strategic sectors such as renewable energy and the development of the Dakhla port. The Trump administration has already paved the way Abu Dhabi became Morocco's top foreign investor in 2024. Its decision to deepen cooperation with Washington on major projects in the Sahara is therefore unsurprising. The DFC recently received approval from US authorities to finance investments in the southern provinces, an important political signal. The decision was publicly confirmed by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau after his meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita on September 25 in New York, on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly. «We encourage and support American investments in Morocco—throughout Morocco—which includes the Sahara. We fully support the financing of these projects, starting with the DFC, but also through other institutions such as the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM)», said Massad Boulos, President Donald Trump's special advisor for Africa, during a press briefing in Washington. King Mohammed VI and President Mohammed bin Zayed had already laid the groundwork on December 4, 2023, when they signed in Abu Dhabi the declaration «Towards an innovative, renewed, and rooted partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the State of the United Arab Emirates». The Sahara continues to attract interest from public companies in France and Spain as well.
