That is the acquisition by ADNOC Distribution of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for 1 billion USD of the entire petroleum business system network of the energy corporation Shell in South Africa. South Africa is Africa's largest fuel market.
In fact, for more than 10 years, the Arab dynasties in the Gulf region have implemented a true "crusade" to conquer Africa in terms of economy and trade, and also geopolitics. According to the British Chatham House Institute for Research and Consulting, in the past 10 years, 6 members of the Gulf Cooperation Council have invested more than 100 billion USD in Africa, of which the most is UAE with 59 billion USD and Saudi Arabia with nearly 26 billion USD.
There are 3 main reasons explaining why Arab dynasties in the Gulf region are determined to conquer Africa by strengthening economic, trade and investment cooperation.
First, Africa is geographically very close to the Gulf region. Africa opens up many new trade routes, which can help the Gulf region become the focus of a network of trade, transportation, transshipment and global supply chains. Arab dynasties in the Gulf region want to build and take advantage of this focus. The current confrontation between the US and Iran in general and related to the Strait of Hormuz in particular proves the correctness and timeliness of this strategic calculation.
Second, Arab dynasties have long been aware that the period of prosperity thanks to oil and gas exploitation and exports is gradually over. Dynasties must urgently seek new growth momentum and resources that Africa is a partner and a very suitable location. Therefore, they are increasing investment in areas such as energy, logistics, ports, agriculture and raw materials that are strategically important to the economy.
The third is to build political roles and influence in Africa. Africa is the place where the game of competing for influence and strategic interests between many major partners in the world takes place, something that these dynasties naturally want to have a foothold and a part in.
African countries benefit greatly from this strategic orientation of the Arab dynasties in the Gulf region. Africa has more counterweight to increase its position in relations with other external partners. Africa gains new abundant external resources in the context of reduced development aid from the bloc of Western countries. Moreover, the dynasties in the Gulf region mainly invest directly in Africa, not lending and not attached to any political conditions.
Of course, deep down in the strategic calculations of the Arab dynasties in the Gulf region when strengthening cooperation with Africa, there is also a strategic goal like other partners, which is to gradually draw African countries into their leadership orbit, that is, to gradually become dependent on economic cooperation, trade exchange and investment capital of theirs. But falling into the trap of dependence or not is the story of African countries.
