The UAE is one of several countries looking to strengthen its ties with the continent. This could be music to the ears of some African leaders who already view Dubai as a aim for how to develop their own economies.

When you look at the trade with the world, maybe in the past five years, it has been either flat or negative with many parts. But with Africa, it's continually growing, almost doubled.

The two-day event which was held in Dubai discussed the challenges and opportunities connected with doing business in Africa with many companies looking to the continent as the next big investment frontier.

The rise in technology and a changing political landscape appears to have boosted confidence in Africa on the whole, be it reformist leaders such as Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who received this year's Nobel Peace Prize, or the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) almost two years ago, which is set to create one of the world's largest single markets for goods and services.

The UAE is reviving one of the world's most ancient trade routes having established itself not only as a key gateway into Africa but also as the continent's second-largest foreign investor after China.

Isaac Kwaku Fokuo Jr, Founder & Principal, Botho Emerging Market Group, explained, "there is a big push for the UAE government, the Chinese government, and African governments to actually link those three regions together."

African companies are attracted to Dubai because of its expertise in areas such as infrastructure and construction. There are some 21,000 of them operating in the Emirate, up by almost a quarter in just two years. Key incentives include tax breaks as well as access to visas and Islamic finance.

In 2018, non-oil exports and re-exports from the UAE into Africa reached around €18 billion. Many of these would've traveled via DP World, which function in seven African countries. Africa constitute 10% of the port giant's global revenue and it's growing.

William Stenhouse, Founder, UAE-Africa Networking Group, said, "Al Ghurair Group, their printing division has a really massive African business, from voters cards to passports, to even currency that they actually print in Dubai for Africa."

While the UAE wants to trade with Africa on the whole, there are also scope in its own back yard. This is something that could further unlock the UAE's untapped export potential in Africa.

Euronews spoke to Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry who was responsible for the Global Business Forum on Africa and he described how Dubai is looking at different ways of working with businesses on the continent.

More than 1,500 people registered for this year's Global Business Forum on Africa, ranging from Heads of State to Business Leaders and Young Entrepreneurs.

Looking forward into 2020, traditional sectors like mining and agriculture will remain important key drivers of growth, as Africa also looks to establish itself as a manufacturing base.

Dubai as an Emirate believes cooperations like these could benefit both its own economy and Africa, as a new and exciting chapter emerge to open up.