Abu Dhabi & Dubai, UAE – Nigerian business leader and CEO of ELIN Group, Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich, was among a select group of African business leaders invited to the African Business Leaders Delegation to the United Arab Emirates, held on December 6–7, 2025.
The delegation brought together Africa’s top private sector executives and philanthropists to engage in strategic discussions with UAE leadership on enhancing economic partnerships, business collaboration, and continental philanthropic initiatives.
Prominent participants included Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Mo Ibrahim, and other influential figures from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Egypt, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. The delegation focused on fostering cooperation in sectors such as energy, digital infrastructure, agriculture, and sustainable development.
Over the two-day visit, the delegation held high-level meetings with UAE leaders, including an audience with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, the delegation participated in a working lunch and policy discussions with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to explore new frameworks for UAE–Africa collaboration.
Additionally, the group engaged in strategic sessions with Bill Gates on development initiatives and attended roundtable meetings with UAE ambassadors and diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The delegation was convened by H.E. Badr Jafar, UAE Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, who also hosted a private dinner with UAE philanthropists and African business leaders to discuss actionable plans for cross-regional partnerships.
Reflecting on the experience, Jack-Rich said:
“It was an extraordinary privilege to be in the presence of Africa’s most visionary leaders – Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Mo Ibrahim, and others – shaping the continent’s future. In dialogue with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we explored bold new opportunities for UAE–Africa partnership and shared prosperity.”
She also expressed gratitude to H.E. Badr Jafar, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, and other key stakeholders for facilitating the delegation.
The visit builds on significant UAE investment in Africa, with over $110 billion deployed between 2019 and 2023, including more than $70 billion in renewable energy and green infrastructure. Recently, the UAE launched a $1 billion ‘AI for Development’ initiative to fund artificial intelligence projects in African education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Jack-Rich’s participation follows her keynote session at Elevate Africa 2025 in Gaborone, Botswana, where she spoke on “Sustainable Infrastructure for Economic Transformation”, advocating for African infrastructure development driven by confidence and global standards.
“Africa is ready, and we must continue to build like it,” she stated, reinforcing her commitment to African-led development and strategic international partnerships.
About Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich
Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich is the CEO of ELIN Group, a Nigerian business leader, and advocate for sustainable infrastructure and economic transformation in Africa. In June 2025, ELIN Air, a subsidiary of ELIN Group, became the first African aviation company to complete the historic 7,800 landings maintenance check on a Bombardier Challenger CL604 aircraft, setting new benchmarks for African aviation maintenance. She frequently speaks at continental forums on infrastructure, economic mobility, and Africa’s development trajectory.
