Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), through its Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), has partnered with the South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) to launch a new AI trade and investment hub aimed at accelerating cross-border collaboration across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
The initiative, announced this week, brings together regional partners from Europe and the Middle East to create a pipeline for AI innovation, investment, and talent exchange. The hub is designed to remove market access and capital barriers, supporting startups and investors in emerging markets and strengthening international cooperation in AI.
DCAI, established by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and overseen by DFF, is leading the launch in the Middle East.
Saeed Al Falasi, Director of DCAI, said the initiative is about more than technology—it’s about enabling “ideas, talent, and capital” to move freely across borders and shaping a more inclusive AI future.
Dr. Nick Bradshaw, Founder and Chairman of SAAIA, highlighted Africa’s underrepresentation in the global AI landscape.
“Despite producing some of the world’s most dynamic startups, African innovators face limited access to capital and markets,”
he said.
“This partnership is a strategic step to close that gap.”
The hub will act as a matchmaking platform for startups and investors, support business expansion, and promote responsible AI development. Recent milestones, like the $628 million acquisition of Tunisian AI startup InstaDeep, underscore Africa’s growing potential in the AI space.
Both organizations emphasize the partnership is not symbolic but a practical mechanism to drive real trade and innovation impact across continents.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
