Recent developments in Africa indicate a noticeable intensification of security cooperation with the Gulf states. The military agreements that Somalia signed with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the UAE’s investments in defense technologies in Nigeria, and the strengthening of military relations between the UAE and Egypt all raise important questions. Why are African countries turning to these partners, and what do they seek from this cooperation?
Increased attendance
It appears that deepening relations between the Gulf and Africa is part of a broader dynamic that combines security, investment, and diplomacy. The military agreements signed by Somalia with Riyadh illustrate this diversity of partnerships in a tense regional context. For its part, Qatar is taking a more comprehensive approach, mixing political mediation, strategic investment and security cooperation, as seen in Rwanda, where it acts as an investor and diplomatic player.
This increasing presence is not only due to the Gulf’s ambition to expand its influence. It also reflects the real demand from African countries. Many countries across the continent face ongoing threats, whether armed conflicts, political instability or the spread of jihadist groups. In an increasingly turbulent environment, governments are forced to arm themselves, equip their forces and enhance their defense capabilities.
At the same time, many are reluctant to rely on the forces that have traditionally guaranteed their security. Western partnerships are being challenged or weakened, while other actors such as Russia and China suffer from a more controversial image. Therefore, African countries are looking for new partners capable of meeting tangible needs without imposing disproportionate political conditions.
It is precisely in this space that the Gulf states are concentrated. Because they are responsive and discreet, they present themselves as credible alternative partners. For African countries, engaging with it is as much a strategic choice as it is an opportunity.
UAE: leading the way?
Within this broader dynamic, the UAE occupies a distinctive position, both in terms of the scale and structure of its participation. Its approach is based on several pillars: training and supporting local forces, developing defense industries, and a flexible security presence in certain strategic areas, without a permanent or systematic deployment on the ground.
This strategy is also based on strong regional alliances, most notably the strategic partnership with Egypt, which is characterized by the exchange of military expertise, joint exercises such as “Hercule 2,” and close security coordination. It is also reinforced by political consensus, as the two countries share similar positions on the Muslim Brotherhood and broader regional stability issues.
The announced investment in Nigeria in early 2026 reflects this logic. It is not limited to just providing equipment, but instead aims to develop local capabilities in areas such as drones, cybersecurity and industrial production. For Abuja, the goal is to strengthen its strategic independence; For the UAE, it must sustainably integrate itself into the local security and industrial ecosystem.
Similar patterns can be observed elsewhere. In Angola, cooperation includes border security, port infrastructure and surveillance technologies. In many countries in East Africa and the Sahel, partnerships focus on training, equipment and capacity building. These initiatives respond to the needs clearly expressed by African countries, especially in the field of combating terrorism.
The Emirati model is also distinguished by its flexibility. Rather than creating permanent bases, Abu Dhabi tends to favor adaptable arrangements, often preceded by training agreements. This approach limits costs, reduces political exposure, and allows quick adjustments depending on the context.
Converging interests
Therefore, these partnerships are based on convergence of interests, even if that convergence remains partly asymmetric. For the Gulf states, participation in Africa works to secure trade routes, protect investments and enhance their presence in strategic regions. Efforts to combat armed groups, piracy and trafficking fall within this broader framework.
However, this perspective alone does not fully explain the emergence of these partnerships. On the African side, the benefits are multiple: access to finance, technology transfer, local capacity development, and security policy support. These are advantages that many felt they no longer adequately derived from Western partners. In some cases, such as Nigeria and Angola, these collaborations help structure industrial sectors and strengthen defense systems.
These partnerships also provide greater diplomatic room for maneuver. By diversifying their alliances, African countries avoid overdependence and become better able to navigate an increasingly competitive international environment.
Ultimately, Gulf engagement in Africa reflects a dynamic of mutual adaptation. However, beyond this clear convergence of interests, the durability of many of these new partnerships remains to be tested.