![UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.](https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/uae-mining-africa-critical-minerals-04172024.jpg?w=519&h=259&crop=1)
The United Arab Emirates is rapidly emerging as a major player in the mining sector in Africa, starting with the acquisition of a large copper mine in Zambia. With its oil-dependent economy vulnerable to the global shift away from fossil fuels, Abu Dhabi is trying to secure a central place in the new energy economy.