Dubai Chamber of Commerce Organises 1,460 B2B Meetings During Trade Missions to Africa

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 8, 2026--

Dubai Chamber of Commerce, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has successfully concluded a series of trade missions to Africa, organising a total of 1,460 bilateral business meetings in Ghana, Ethiopia, and South Africa.

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The missions brought together companies from Dubai with potential partners across the continent, with the participation of 45 Dubai-based companies operating across diverse sectors. The meetings were designed to support the international growth of companies operating in Dubai, unlock new business opportunities, and strengthen trade and investment partnerships with African business communities.

The chamber organised 276 bilateral business meetings in Ghana, 510 meetings in Ethiopia, and 674 meetings in South Africa. As part of the missions, Dubai Chamber of Commerce also hosted business forums in each market, attracting a total of 1,721 participants including senior officials, business leaders, and representatives of local companies.

H.E. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, commented: “Africa represents one of the most dynamic regions in the global economy and offers significant opportunities for trade, investment, and private sector partnerships. Through these missions, we are creating direct connections between companies in Dubai and their counterparts across African markets, enabling businesses to explore new opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and contribute to mutual economic growth.”

The trade missions were organised as part of Dubai’s drive to further strengthen trade and investment ties with Africa. Non-oil trade between Dubai and Africa exceeded US$ 145.9 billion in 2025, achieving 51% year-on-year growth. During the 10 years from 2016 to 2025, Dubai’s non-oil trade with Africa amounted to around US$ 657 billion, increasing by around 325% over the decade.

This growing momentum is also reflected in Dubai Chamber of Commerce’s membership, with the number of African companies registered as active members reaching 30,409 in 2025, representing 14.3% year-on-year growth.

Dubai International Chamber currently operates seven representative offices across Africa, which play a vital role in identifying opportunities, strengthening business ties, and supporting the growth of trade and investment flows between Dubai and African markets.

About Dubai Chamber of Commerce

Established in 1965, Dubai Chamber of Commerce continues to advance the interests of the business community in Dubai, support a stimulating business environment, and promote the emirate as a global business hub.

Source:AETOSWire

H.E. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah addresses the audience during the business forum in Ethiopia (Photo: AETOSWire)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A lawyer who represented Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for nearly a decade over accusations of corruption and securities fraud is supporting Democrat James Talarico — and not his former client — in one of the biggest U.S. Senate races.

Talarico on Monday drew attention to his campaign winning the endorsement of Houston attorney Dan Cogdell, who was part of Paxton's defense team during the Republican's historic impeachment trial in 2023 that ended in acquittal.

The legal troubles that shadowed Paxton in public office in Texas are a central attack line of Talarico's campaign, though in his endorsement, Cogdell didn’t cite concerns about his client's past.

Cogdell said he didn’t dislike Paxton as a person and felt that Texas lawmakers were right to eventually acquit the attorney general. But as a politician, Cogdell said, Paxton is too focused on appeasing President Donald Trump.

“I worked my ass off for the man for nine years,” Cogdell said in an interview with The Associated Press. “But that’s a different inquiry, my obligation to Ken ended at the courthouse steps and my obligation as a citizen is to do what I think is the right thing.”

Cogdell said Texas needs a lot of work, pointing to education and health care, “and to simply bootlick or rubber stamp Trump, that’s not what we need in D.C. right now.” He also recently spoke to Talarico at length on Cogdell's podcast.ty.

Asked for comment, an aide to Paxton’s campaign said Cogdell is a Democrat and called the endorsement unsurprising.

The lead defense attorney in Paxton's impeachment trial, Tony Buzbee, reiterated that on X. Buzbee added that he was supporting Paxton in the race.

Cogdell described himself as a registered Democrat, although voters in Texas do not register by political party. He added, however, that he considers himself a moderate who has given more campaign contributions over the years to Republican candidates than Democrats.

Talarico has given Democrats hope of flipping the statewide seat in Texas blue as the party scrambles to retake control of the U.S. Senate in November.

Paxton’s insurgent campaign beat Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary runoff last month, helped by a Trump endorsement in the final days of the race.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, speaks during a primary runoff election night event after winning the Republican party's nomination Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Plano, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas state Rep. and Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico attends a rally in Houston, Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Joel Angel Juarez)

FILE - Attorney Dan Cogdell addresses reporters, March 26, 2024, at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP, file)