UAE becomes Africa’s biggest investor amid rights concerns

Activists alarmed at emirati companies' poor record on labour rights and fear projects may fail to address environmental concerns

The United Arab Emirates has become the largest backer of new business projects in Africa, raising hopes of a rush of much-needed money for green energy, but also concerns that the investments could compromise the rights of workers and environmental protections.

Between 2019 and 2023, Emirati companies announced $110bn (88bn) of projects, $72bn of them in renewable energy, according to FT Locations, a data company owned by the Financial Times.