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Strategic Lens

South Africa and United Arab Emirates

First country

Second country

In 2025, South Africa sold USD 3.00 billion of goods to United Arab Emirates and bought USD 2.61 billion from it. Both are members of BRICS. Their agreement score in UN General Assembly voting was 93 percent in 2023, and 94 percent on average over 2019 to 2023. In 2025, South Africa sold USD 124 million of mineral fuels and oils to United Arab Emirates and bought USD 2.04 billion from it.

Benefits

  • BothTrade in goods runs both ways in similar amounts: South Africa sold USD 3.00 billion and United Arab Emirates sold USD 2.61 billion in 2025.
  • BothTwo-way trade in critical minerals and metals grew 166 percent, from USD 10.4 million in 2019 to USD 27.6 million in 2025.
  • BothTwo-way trade in agricultural and food products grew 117 percent, from USD 305 million in 2019 to USD 664 million in 2025.

Constraints

  • BothFlows are one-sided: in 2025, United Arab Emirates sold USD 2.04 billion of mineral fuels and oils, against USD 124 million the other way.
  • BothFlows are one-sided: in 2025, South Africa sold USD 27.6 million of critical minerals and metals, and United Arab Emirates sold almost none.
  • BothFlows are one-sided: in 2025, South Africa sold USD 640 million of agricultural and food products, against USD 24.3 million the other way.

Sources: UN Comtrade (public preview API), annual goods trade, HS classification (retrieved 26 September 2026); Wikidata, statements on membership (property P463) (retrieved 26 September 2026); United Nations General Assembly voting data (Voeten, Strezhnev and Bailey), agreement scores (retrieved 25 September 2026)

Last updated on 26 September 2026

At a glance

Goods trade, both ways
USD 5.61 billion
2025, as reported by South Africa
South Africa to United Arab Emirates
USD 3.00 billion
2025, as reported by South Africa
United Arab Emirates to South Africa
USD 2.61 billion
2025, as reported by South Africa

What connects South Africa and United Arab Emirates

Economy

Trade in goodsIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 3.00 billion of goods to United Arab Emirates and bought USD 2.61 billion from it.

Resources

EnergyIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 124 million of mineral fuels and oils to United Arab Emirates and bought USD 2.04 billion from it.Critical mineralsIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 27.6 million of critical minerals and metals to United Arab Emirates.Agriculture and foodIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 640 million of agricultural and food products to United Arab Emirates and bought USD 24.3 million from it.FertiliserIn 2025, United Arab Emirates sold USD 25.3 million of fertilisers to South Africa.

Industry

Supply chains and manufacturingIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 396 million of machinery, vehicles and iron and steel to United Arab Emirates and bought USD 36.9 million from it.TechnologyIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 56.5 million of electrical and electronic equipment to United Arab Emirates and bought USD 18.3 million from it.Pharma and healthIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 11.3 million of pharmaceutical products to United Arab Emirates.

Security

Defence and armsIn 2022, South Africa sold USD 61.8 million of arms and ammunition to United Arab Emirates.

Diplomacy

Multilateral alignmentBoth are members of BRICS. Their agreement score in UN General Assembly voting was 93 percent in 2023, and 94 percent on average over 2019 to 2023.

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