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Küçük Güç, Büyük Siyaset: Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri’nin Afrika Politikası

Year 2025, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 33 - 47, 30.04.2025

Abdüssamet Pulat

Abstract

Bu çalışma son yıllarda Afrika’da nüfuzunu artıran Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri’nin kıtaya yönelik politikasının belirleyici unsurları üzerine odaklanmaktadır. Son 20 yılda birçok alanda olduğu gibi dış politikada da önemli bir değişim yaşayan BAE’nin Afrika’nın birçok ülkesiyle ekonomik ilişkilerini geliştirdiği ve kıtaya en çok yatırım yapan dördüncü ülke olduğu görülmektedir. Afrika’ya verdiği önemi hükümet nezdinde Afrika işlerinden sorumlu bakan atayarak gösteren Abu Dabi yönetimi, şirketleri ve vakıfları aracılığıyla da kıtaya ciddi bir sermaye akışı sağlamıştır. Afrika’daki tek varlığı ekonomik alanla da sınırlı kalmayan BAE, askeri üsler, işbirliği anlaşmaları ve savunma sanayi ihracatlarıyla varlığını artırmıştır. Çalışmada BAE’nin Afrika’daki gücünü nasıl artırdığı ekonomik ve askeri bağlantılara odaklanılarak incelenmektedir. Buna ek olarak, son yıllarda yeniden büyük güçlerin nüfuz mücadelesi sahasına dönen Afrika’da BAE’nin neden güç artırmaya çalıştığı sorusuna da cevap aranmaya çalışılmıştır.

Keywords

Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri Afrika Yatırım Ticaret Askeri Nüfuz

References

  • Akdoğan, İ. (2025). Bağımlılık ve bağımsızlık arasında Suudi Arabistan: Ortadoğu'da güvenlik arayışı. Kadim Yayınları.
  • Al Nowais, H. (2023, Ekim 12). Why the UAE is a perfect partner in Africa's green energy revolution. Invest Africa. https://www.investafrica.com/insights-and-news/why-the-uae-is-a-perfect-partner-in-africas-green-energy-revolution
  • Almezaini, K. S. (2011). The UAE and foreign policy: Foreign aid, identities and interests (1. baskı). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203815755
  • Al-Suwaidi, K. (2023). The UAE after the Arab Spring: Strategy for survival. I.B. Tauris.
  • Alzaabi, M. (2019). Foreign policy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE): Continuity and change. İçinde A. Al-Masri & K. Curran (Ed.), Smart technologies and innovation for a sustainable future (Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation serisi). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01659-3_18
  • Ardemagni, E. (2023, Haziran 13). One port, one node: The Emirati geostrategic road to Africa. ISPI. https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/one-port-one-node-the-emirati-geostrategic-road-to-africa-131893
  • Ardemagni, E. (2024, Nisan 30). Flexible outposts: The Emirati approach to military bases abroad. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/2024/04/flexible-outposts-the-emirati-approach-to-military-bases-abroad?lang=en
  • Badi, E. (2022, Ekim 22). The UAE is making a precarious shift in its Libya policy. Here's why. The Atlantic Council. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/the-uae-is-making-a-precarious-shift-in-its-libya-policy-heres-why/
  • Cura, A. (2023, Aralık 6). Putin, BAE Devlet Başkanı Al Nahyan ile Abu Dabi'de bir araya geldi. Anadolu Ajansı. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/putin-bae-devlet-baskani-al-nahyan-ile-abu-dabi-de-bir-araya-geldi/3074883
  • Dakhling, P. (2023, Aralık 31). TAQA Morocco's $27B green hydrogen project. Africa Energy Council. https://africanenergycouncil.org/taqa-moroccos-27b-green-hydrogen-project/
  • Dalton, M., & Shah, H. (2021, Ocak). Evolving UAE military and foreign security cooperation: Path toward military professionalism. Carnegie Middle East Center. https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2021/01/evolving-uae-military-and-foreign-security-cooperation-path-toward-military-professionalism?lang=en&center=middle-east
  • Fraioli, P. (2024, Aralık). The UAE as a security partner in Africa. IISS. https://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-comments/2024/12/the-uae-as-a-security-partner-in-africa/
  • Guéraiche, W. (2019). The UAE and the Arab Spring: Rethinking foreign policy. İçinde C. Çakmak & A. O. Özçelik (Ed.), The world community and the Arab Spring. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60985-0_18
  • Guéraiche, W. (2022). Between foreign policy and development assistance: The UAE international cooperation in Africa. Forum for Development Studies, 49(2), 211–232. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039410.2022.2080763
  • Huliaras, A., & Kalantzakos, S. (2017). The Gulf states and the horn of Africa: A new hinterland? Middle East Policy, 24(4), 63-75. https://doi.org/10.1111/mepo.12310
  • Mahjoub, H. (2025). The emerging sub-imperial role of the United Arab Emirates in Africa. Trans National Institute. https://www.tni.org/en/article/the-emerging-sub-imperial-role-of-the-united-arab-emirates-in-africa
  • Mason, R., & Mabon, S. (Ed.). (2022). The Gulf States and the Horn of Africa: Interests, influences and instability. Manchester University Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv29mvt13
  • Merritt, G. (2024). Why Europe is losing Africa to Moscow and Beijing. Friends of Europe. https://friendsofeurope.org/insights/why-europe-is-losing-africa-to-moscow-and-beijing/
  • Pecquet, J. (2024, Temmuz 4). US under growing pressure to take action against UAE in Sudan. The African Report. https://www.theafricareport.com/353726/us-under-growing-pressure-to-take-action-against-uae-in-sudan/
  • Pilling, D., Cornish, C., & Schipani, A. (2024, Mayıs 30). The UAE's rising influence in Africa. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/388e1690-223f-41a8-a5f2-0c971dbfe6f0
  • Procopio, M., & Cok, C. (2024, Haziran 20). Beyond competition: How Europe can harness the UAE's energy ambitions in Africa. European Council on Foreign Relations. https://ecfr.eu/publication/beyond-competition-how-europe-can-harness-the-uaes-energy-ambitions-in-africa/#geostrategic-abu-dhabi
  • Pulat, A. (2023). Körfez sermayesinin politik gücü Suudi Arabistan, Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri ve Katar örneği. İktisat Yayınları.
  • Pulat, A., Akdoğan, İ., & Küpeli, M. (2021). Suudi Arabistan-İran bölgesel rekabetinde Suudi dış yardımlarının siyasi etkinliği (2010-2020). Uluslararası İlişkiler, 18(69), 103-119. https://doi.org/10.33458/uidergisi.912054
  • Ragab, E., & Colombo, S. (Ed.). (2018). Foreign relations of the GCC countries: Shifting global and regional dynamics (1. baskı). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203701287
  • Ribe, A. V. (2024, Ekim 14). The GCC and sub-Saharan security: Equipment supplies above all. IISS. https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/commentary/2024/09/the-gcc-and-sub-saharan-security-equipment-supplies-above-all/
  • Roberts, D. B. (2017). Qatar and the UAE: Exploring divergent responses to the Arab Spring. The Middle East Journal, 71(4), 544-562. https://doi.org/10.3751/71.4.12
  • Savage, R. (2024, Aralık 24). UAE becomes Africa's biggest investor amid rights concerns. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/24/uae-becomes-africa-biggest-investor-amid-rights-concerns
  • Telci, I. N. (2021). The Horn of Africa as venue for regional competition: Motivations, instruments and relationship patterns. Insight on Africa, 14(1), 73-87. https://doi.org/10.1177/09750878211034153
  • Tepeciklioğlu, E. (2023). Afrika darbelerinin arkasında Rusya mı var? Fikir Turu. https://www.fikirturu.com/jeo-politika/afrika-darbelerinin-arkasinda-rusya-mi/
  • Townsend, M. (2024, Temmuz 25). 'Smoking gun' evidence points to UAE involvement in Sudan civil war. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/article/2024/jul/25/smoking-gun-evidence-points-to-uae-involvement-in-sudan-civil-war
  • Aljazeera. (2021, Kasım 25). UAE air bridge provides military support to Ethiopia gov't. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/25/uae-air-bridge-provides-military-support-to-ethiopia-govt
  • UAE Annual Foreign Aid Reports, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2024, https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/the-ministry/uae-international-development-cooperation/annual-foreign-aid-report
  • UAE Foreign Aid Report 2023, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, https://www.mofa.gov.ae/-/media/Feature/News/EmIrati-Traveler/2023_MOFA-Foreign-Aid-Report_EN.pdf
  • Ulrichsen, K. (2016). The United Arab Emirates: Power, politics and policy-making. Routledge.
  • United Arab Emirates Ministry of Economy. (2025, Mart 1). International trade map. https://www.moec.gov.ae/en/international-trade-map
  • WAM. (2024, Mayıs 29). ADFD finances projects in 42 African countries worth AED35.3 billion. Emirates News Agency. https://www.wam.ae/en/article/b3earpg-adfd-finances-projects-african-countries-worth
  • Wasike, A. (2023, Eylül 5). UAE commits $4.5B to advance clean energy initiatives in Africa. Anadolu Agency. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/energy/invesments/uae-commits-45b-to-advance-clean-energy-initiatives-in-africa/38848
  • Young, K. E. (2017). A new politics of GCC economic statecraft: The case of UAE aid and financial intervention in Egypt. Journal of Arabian Studies, 7(1), 113–136. https://doi.org/10.1080/21534764.2017.1316051
  • Ziadah, R. (2019). The importance of the Saudi-UAE alliance: Notes on military intervention, aid and investment. Conflict, Security & Development, 19(3), 295–300. https://doi.org/10.1080/14678802.2019.1608026

Small Power, Big Politics: The United Arab Emirates' Africa Policy

Year 2025, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 33 - 47, 30.04.2025

Abdüssamet Pulat

Abstract

This study focuses on the factors that determine the foreign policy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) towards the African continent, which has seen a notable increase in its influence in recent years. The UAE has undergone significant changes in its foreign policy and many other areas over the past two decades, during which time it has developed economic relations with numerous African countries and become the continent's fourth largest investor. The UAE's commitment to Africa is further underscored by the appointment of a minister specifically tasked with African affairs within the government, and the substantial capital influx facilitated by its companies and foundations. The UAE's engagement in Africa extends beyond the economic domain, encompassing military bases, cooperation agreements, and defence industry exports. This study explores the strategies employed by the UAE to augment its influence in Africa, with a particular emphasis on its economic and military connections. Furthermore, the study seeks to address the question of why the UAE is attempting to augment its influence in Africa, a region that has recently become a site of intense competition among global powers for dominance.

Keywords

United Arab Emirates Africa Investment Trade Military Influence

References

  • Akdoğan, İ. (2025). Bağımlılık ve bağımsızlık arasında Suudi Arabistan: Ortadoğu'da güvenlik arayışı. Kadim Yayınları.
  • Al Nowais, H. (2023, Ekim 12). Why the UAE is a perfect partner in Africa's green energy revolution. Invest Africa. https://www.investafrica.com/insights-and-news/why-the-uae-is-a-perfect-partner-in-africas-green-energy-revolution
  • Almezaini, K. S. (2011). The UAE and foreign policy: Foreign aid, identities and interests (1. baskı). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203815755
  • Al-Suwaidi, K. (2023). The UAE after the Arab Spring: Strategy for survival. I.B. Tauris.
  • Alzaabi, M. (2019). Foreign policy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE): Continuity and change. İçinde A. Al-Masri & K. Curran (Ed.), Smart technologies and innovation for a sustainable future (Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation serisi). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01659-3_18
  • Ardemagni, E. (2023, Haziran 13). One port, one node: The Emirati geostrategic road to Africa. ISPI. https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/one-port-one-node-the-emirati-geostrategic-road-to-africa-131893
  • Ardemagni, E. (2024, Nisan 30). Flexible outposts: The Emirati approach to military bases abroad. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/2024/04/flexible-outposts-the-emirati-approach-to-military-bases-abroad?lang=en
  • Badi, E. (2022, Ekim 22). The UAE is making a precarious shift in its Libya policy. Here's why. The Atlantic Council. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/the-uae-is-making-a-precarious-shift-in-its-libya-policy-heres-why/
  • Cura, A. (2023, Aralık 6). Putin, BAE Devlet Başkanı Al Nahyan ile Abu Dabi'de bir araya geldi. Anadolu Ajansı. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/putin-bae-devlet-baskani-al-nahyan-ile-abu-dabi-de-bir-araya-geldi/3074883
  • Dakhling, P. (2023, Aralık 31). TAQA Morocco's $27B green hydrogen project. Africa Energy Council. https://africanenergycouncil.org/taqa-moroccos-27b-green-hydrogen-project/
  • Dalton, M., & Shah, H. (2021, Ocak). Evolving UAE military and foreign security cooperation: Path toward military professionalism. Carnegie Middle East Center. https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2021/01/evolving-uae-military-and-foreign-security-cooperation-path-toward-military-professionalism?lang=en&center=middle-east
  • Fraioli, P. (2024, Aralık). The UAE as a security partner in Africa. IISS. https://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-comments/2024/12/the-uae-as-a-security-partner-in-africa/
  • Guéraiche, W. (2019). The UAE and the Arab Spring: Rethinking foreign policy. İçinde C. Çakmak & A. O. Özçelik (Ed.), The world community and the Arab Spring. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60985-0_18
  • Guéraiche, W. (2022). Between foreign policy and development assistance: The UAE international cooperation in Africa. Forum for Development Studies, 49(2), 211–232. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039410.2022.2080763
  • Huliaras, A., & Kalantzakos, S. (2017). The Gulf states and the horn of Africa: A new hinterland? Middle East Policy, 24(4), 63-75. https://doi.org/10.1111/mepo.12310
  • Mahjoub, H. (2025). The emerging sub-imperial role of the United Arab Emirates in Africa. Trans National Institute. https://www.tni.org/en/article/the-emerging-sub-imperial-role-of-the-united-arab-emirates-in-africa
  • Mason, R., & Mabon, S. (Ed.). (2022). The Gulf States and the Horn of Africa: Interests, influences and instability. Manchester University Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv29mvt13
  • Merritt, G. (2024). Why Europe is losing Africa to Moscow and Beijing. Friends of Europe. https://friendsofeurope.org/insights/why-europe-is-losing-africa-to-moscow-and-beijing/
  • Pecquet, J. (2024, Temmuz 4). US under growing pressure to take action against UAE in Sudan. The African Report. https://www.theafricareport.com/353726/us-under-growing-pressure-to-take-action-against-uae-in-sudan/
  • Pilling, D., Cornish, C., & Schipani, A. (2024, Mayıs 30). The UAE's rising influence in Africa. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/388e1690-223f-41a8-a5f2-0c971dbfe6f0
  • Procopio, M., & Cok, C. (2024, Haziran 20). Beyond competition: How Europe can harness the UAE's energy ambitions in Africa. European Council on Foreign Relations. https://ecfr.eu/publication/beyond-competition-how-europe-can-harness-the-uaes-energy-ambitions-in-africa/#geostrategic-abu-dhabi
  • Pulat, A. (2023). Körfez sermayesinin politik gücü Suudi Arabistan, Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri ve Katar örneği. İktisat Yayınları.
  • Pulat, A., Akdoğan, İ., & Küpeli, M. (2021). Suudi Arabistan-İran bölgesel rekabetinde Suudi dış yardımlarının siyasi etkinliği (2010-2020). Uluslararası İlişkiler, 18(69), 103-119. https://doi.org/10.33458/uidergisi.912054
  • Ragab, E., & Colombo, S. (Ed.). (2018). Foreign relations of the GCC countries: Shifting global and regional dynamics (1. baskı). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203701287
  • Ribe, A. V. (2024, Ekim 14). The GCC and sub-Saharan security: Equipment supplies above all. IISS. https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/commentary/2024/09/the-gcc-and-sub-saharan-security-equipment-supplies-above-all/
  • Roberts, D. B. (2017). Qatar and the UAE: Exploring divergent responses to the Arab Spring. The Middle East Journal, 71(4), 544-562. https://doi.org/10.3751/71.4.12
  • Savage, R. (2024, Aralık 24). UAE becomes Africa's biggest investor amid rights concerns. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/24/uae-becomes-africa-biggest-investor-amid-rights-concerns
  • Telci, I. N. (2021). The Horn of Africa as venue for regional competition: Motivations, instruments and relationship patterns. Insight on Africa, 14(1), 73-87. https://doi.org/10.1177/09750878211034153
  • Tepeciklioğlu, E. (2023). Afrika darbelerinin arkasında Rusya mı var? Fikir Turu. https://www.fikirturu.com/jeo-politika/afrika-darbelerinin-arkasinda-rusya-mi/
  • Townsend, M. (2024, Temmuz 25). 'Smoking gun' evidence points to UAE involvement in Sudan civil war. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/article/2024/jul/25/smoking-gun-evidence-points-to-uae-involvement-in-sudan-civil-war
  • Aljazeera. (2021, Kasım 25). UAE air bridge provides military support to Ethiopia gov't. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/25/uae-air-bridge-provides-military-support-to-ethiopia-govt
  • UAE Annual Foreign Aid Reports, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2024, https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/the-ministry/uae-international-development-cooperation/annual-foreign-aid-report
  • UAE Foreign Aid Report 2023, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, https://www.mofa.gov.ae/-/media/Feature/News/EmIrati-Traveler/2023_MOFA-Foreign-Aid-Report_EN.pdf
  • Ulrichsen, K. (2016). The United Arab Emirates: Power, politics and policy-making. Routledge.
  • United Arab Emirates Ministry of Economy. (2025, Mart 1). International trade map. https://www.moec.gov.ae/en/international-trade-map
  • WAM. (2024, Mayıs 29). ADFD finances projects in 42 African countries worth AED35.3 billion. Emirates News Agency. https://www.wam.ae/en/article/b3earpg-adfd-finances-projects-african-countries-worth
  • Wasike, A. (2023, Eylül 5). UAE commits $4.5B to advance clean energy initiatives in Africa. Anadolu Agency. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/energy/invesments/uae-commits-45b-to-advance-clean-energy-initiatives-in-africa/38848
  • Young, K. E. (2017). A new politics of GCC economic statecraft: The case of UAE aid and financial intervention in Egypt. Journal of Arabian Studies, 7(1), 113–136. https://doi.org/10.1080/21534764.2017.1316051
  • Ziadah, R. (2019). The importance of the Saudi-UAE alliance: Notes on military intervention, aid and investment. Conflict, Security & Development, 19(3), 295–300. https://doi.org/10.1080/14678802.2019.1608026
There are 39 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language Turkish
Subjects African Studies
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Abdüssamet Pulat 0000-0002-0758-5596

Early Pub Date April 25, 2025
Publication Date April 30, 2025
Submission Date March 11, 2025
Acceptance Date April 16, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 2 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Pulat, A. (2025). Küçük Güç, Büyük Siyaset: Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri’nin Afrika Politikası. Turkish Journal of African Studies, 2(1), 33-47.
AMA Pulat A. Küçük Güç, Büyük Siyaset: Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri’nin Afrika Politikası. TUJAS. April 2025;2(1):33-47.
Chicago Pulat, Abdüssamet. “Küçük Güç, Büyük Siyaset: Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri’nin Afrika Politikası”. Turkish Journal of African Studies 2, no. 1 (April 2025): 33-47.
EndNote Pulat A (April 1, 2025) Küçük Güç, Büyük Siyaset: Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri’nin Afrika Politikası. Turkish Journal of African Studies 2 1 33–47.
IEEE A. Pulat, “Küçük Güç, Büyük Siyaset: Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri’nin Afrika Politikası”, TUJAS, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 33–47, 2025.
ISNAD Pulat, Abdüssamet. “Küçük Güç, Büyük Siyaset: Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri’nin Afrika Politikası”. Turkish Journal of African Studies 2/1 (April 2025), 33-47.
JAMA Pulat A. Küçük Güç, Büyük Siyaset: Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri’nin Afrika Politikası. TUJAS. 2025;2:33–47.
MLA Pulat, Abdüssamet. “Küçük Güç, Büyük Siyaset: Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri’nin Afrika Politikası”. Turkish Journal of African Studies, vol. 2, no. 1, 2025, pp. 33-47.
Vancouver Pulat A. Küçük Güç, Büyük Siyaset: Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri’nin Afrika Politikası. TUJAS. 2025;2(1):33-47.
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