Africa’s mining and logistics sectors are gaining momentum in early 2025, as fresh investments from Ambrosia Investment Holding, AD Ports Group, and other UAE entities promise to reshape the industry across multiple countries.
In February 2025, Ambrosia Investment Holding acquired a 50 percent stake in Allied Gold’s operations in Ethiopia and Mali, marking a major milestone for Africa’s gold mining sector. The Canadian firm’s projects are set for a boost, as Ambrosia has pledged a $375 million injection of working capital aimed at accelerating development.
According to details of the agreement, Ethiopia and Mali’s combined gold output is projected to increase by 290,000 ounces per year by mid-2026. By 2028, that figure is expected to reach 400,000 ounces annually. As part of its commitment to sustainable operations, Ambrosia also plans to deploy solar photovoltaic systems and battery energy storage technology at the Sadiola mine in Mali. The energy project is scheduled for completion by July 2026, supporting both energy security and lower carbon emissions in the region.
AD Ports launches operations at Luanda Port
Meanwhile, UAE logistics heavyweight AD Ports Group officially launched operations at Angola’s Luanda Port in January 2025. The move forms part of a broader $250 million investment strategy aimed at modernising the port’s logistics capacity and reinforcing Angola’s role as a critical trade corridor.
Luanda Port currently handles 76 percent of Angola’s cargo volumes and serves as a gateway for trade flows between international markets and neighbouring countries such as Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. AD Ports has secured a 20-year concession to operate the terminal and has hinted at increasing its total investment to $380 million. This expansion could accommodate growing container volumes in Angola, which are forecast to rise by 3.3% annually over the next decade.
UAE investment wave boosts mining and logistics across Africa
Beyond Angola, other UAE-based investors are making significant strides across Africa’s mining and logistics sectors. In Zambia, International Holding Company (IHC) has ramped up ore production at the Mopani Mine. Thanks to a $1.1bn investment made in March 2024, the mine increased output from 2.2 million tonnes to 2.8 million tonnes as of January 2025. Copper grades have also improved from 1.68 percent to 2.21 percent, while employment numbers grew to 12,684 workers—up from 10,765.
In Mauritania, Emiral Mining is fast-tracking development of its iron ore project, with a pre-feasibility study expected in the first quarter of 2025. The company has invested $40 million in exploration activities since February 2020. Additionally, Emiral is expanding its footprint in Ghana’s gold sector through its majority stake in Asante Gold Corporation. Asante Gold is leading a $522 million expansion of its Bibiani and Chirano gold mines, aimed at boosting production in West Africa’s gold-rich region.
Looking ahead: UAE eyes more African opportunities
Analysts suggest that Africa’s mining and logistics industries will continue to benefit from growing UAE involvement. International Resources Holding signed a key partnership with South Africa’s Public Investment Corporation in late 2024 to explore mining, green energy, and logistics projects.
DP World, another UAE logistics giant, has announced a five-year, $3bn investment plan designed to enhance Africa’s logistics infrastructure and streamline mineral exports. In Kenya, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund ADQ and the UAE Ministry of Investment signed agreements in 2024 to invest in the East African country’s mining sector, further strengthening bilateral trade ties.
As UAE public and private sector entities deepen their engagement with Africa’s resource-rich economies, experts predict that these investments will significantly boost the continent’s mining production, infrastructure capacity, and trade integration in the coming years.
