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Media release

Media release

Absa Group expands into Dubai to connect Gulf capital with Africa

29 October 2026

Absa Group has expanded its international presence with the opening of its Dubai office, strengthening two-way trade and investment connections between the Middle East and Africa.

Located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, the office brings Absa closer to corporates, investors and financial institutions across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Dubai’s position as a financial and commercial hub linking the Middle East and Africa makes it a strategic location for Absa to engage institutions seeking investment and business opportunities across the continent.

Absa Bank Limited (DIFC Branch) is authorised under a Category 4 licence issued by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, effective 15 July 2026. The licence permits the branch to arrange deals in investments, advise on financial products, and arrange and advise on credit. These activities enable the branch to engage eligible clients on Absa’s full suite of Corporate and Investment Banking products, drawing on the expertise and capabilities of its wider African banking network.

Zaid Moola, Chief Executive: Corporate and Investment Banking, said: “International trade plays a critical role in driving investment, business expansion and economic growth. CIB’s role is to connect clients to the capital, market expertise and cross-border capabilities they need to pursue opportunities across the Middle East–Africa corridor. Our presence in Dubai strengthens our ability to originate and support these flows, while drawing on Absa’s deep understanding of African markets.”

Cheryl Buss, Chief Executive: Absa International, said: “Our decision to establish a presence in Dubai reflects the growing importance of the Middle East in Africa’s trade and investment landscape. Investment decisions are shaped by more than the availability of capital. They require an understanding of local markets, the right relationships and confidence in how opportunities can be pursued.”

“By combining our deep African expertise with a presence closer to regional decisionmakers, we are strengthening our ability to build relationships with clients at their headquarters and support them as a strategic banking partner across Africa,” added Buss.

His Excellency Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, said: “We are delighted to welcome Absa Group to DIFC as they expand their international presence from Dubai. DIFC has become an anchor point for institutions connecting capital, expertise and opportunities between the Middle East and Africa, and Absa’s deep expertise and extensive African network will add further momentum to this growing investment and trade corridor. Their presence also reinforces Dubai’s position as a global financial hub and DIFC’s role in enabling financial institutions to access new markets and opportunities.”

DIFC has become the preferred base for African financial institutions building cross-border trade and investment corridors through Dubai. Absa’s international reflects DIFC’s growing role as a platform connecting African firms with capital, clients and opportunities across the MEASA region from Dubai.

The expansion is a key component of Absa’s international corridor strategy, which connects global sources of capital and trade with African markets. The corridor between the Middle East and Africa presents opportunities across multiple industries including infrastructure, energy, logistics, agriculture and fast-moving consumer goods, where regional corporates, sovereign-linked entities, institutional investors and trading houses are exploring investment, trade and expansion opportunities. Absa’s Dubai presence provides a platform to engage these organisations and connect their business priorities with relevant expertise across its African network.

Clinton Clarke, Senior Executive Officer: Absa Bank Limited (DIFC Branch), added that: “For Middle Eastern-based businesses and investors looking towards Africa, the challenge is often understanding how an opportunity translates into a viable business decision. Each market has its own commercial, regulatory and operating considerations. Having a presence in Dubai means we can engage more closely with clients, understand the markets and sectors they are interested in, and bring the appropriate African market and sector specialists into those discussions. Our focus is on understanding what clients want to achieve and connecting them with the expertise and relationships needed to make informed decisions across African markets.”

The Dubai presence also supports Absa’s ambition to expand its international reach while maintaining a strong focus on the African markets it serves. As engagement with GCC-based institutions develops, the bank will prioritise opportunities aligned with its sector expertise, client relationships and long-term growth strategy. The value of the Dubai presence will ultimately be measured by the business it enables, the investment it supports and the enduring commercial relationships it helps build between Africa and the Middle East.

His Excellency Mahash Alhameli, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to South Africa said: “I am pleased to welcome Absa Group, one of Africa’s leading banks, to the United Arab Emirates. This is another milestone in the advancement the flourishing of UAE – South Africa economic relations. The bank will play a critical role as a bridge for business between Africa and the Gulf.”

29 October 2026

Absa Group has expanded its international presence with the opening of its Dubai office, strengthening two-way trade and investment connections between the Middle East and Africa.

Located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, the office brings Absa closer to corporates, investors and financial institutions across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Dubai’s position as a financial and commercial hub linking the Middle East and Africa makes it a strategic location for Absa to engage institutions seeking investment and business opportunities across the continent.

Absa Bank Limited (DIFC Branch) is authorised under a Category 4 licence issued by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, effective 15 July 2026. The licence permits the branch to arrange deals in investments, advise on financial products, and arrange and advise on credit. These activities enable the branch to engage eligible clients on Absa’s full suite of Corporate and Investment Banking products, drawing on the expertise and capabilities of its wider African banking network.

Zaid Moola, Chief Executive: Corporate and Investment Banking, said: “International trade plays a critical role in driving investment, business expansion and economic growth. CIB’s role is to connect clients to the capital, market expertise and cross-border capabilities they need to pursue opportunities across the Middle East–Africa corridor. Our presence in Dubai strengthens our ability to originate and support these flows, while drawing on Absa’s deep understanding of African markets.”

Cheryl Buss, Chief Executive: Absa International, said: “Our decision to establish a presence in Dubai reflects the growing importance of the Middle East in Africa’s trade and investment landscape. Investment decisions are shaped by more than the availability of capital. They require an understanding of local markets, the right relationships and confidence in how opportunities can be pursued.”

“By combining our deep African expertise with a presence closer to regional decisionmakers, we are strengthening our ability to build relationships with clients at their headquarters and support them as a strategic banking partner across Africa,” added Buss.

His Excellency Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, said: “We are delighted to welcome Absa Group to DIFC as they expand their international presence from Dubai. DIFC has become an anchor point for institutions connecting capital, expertise and opportunities between the Middle East and Africa, and Absa’s deep expertise and extensive African network will add further momentum to this growing investment and trade corridor. Their presence also reinforces Dubai’s position as a global financial hub and DIFC’s role in enabling financial institutions to access new markets and opportunities.”

DIFC has become the preferred base for African financial institutions building cross-border trade and investment corridors through Dubai. Absa’s international reflects DIFC’s growing role as a platform connecting African firms with capital, clients and opportunities across the MEASA region from Dubai.

The expansion is a key component of Absa’s international corridor strategy, which connects global sources of capital and trade with African markets. The corridor between the Middle East and Africa presents opportunities across multiple industries including infrastructure, energy, logistics, agriculture and fast-moving consumer goods, where regional corporates, sovereign-linked entities, institutional investors and trading houses are exploring investment, trade and expansion opportunities. Absa’s Dubai presence provides a platform to engage these organisations and connect their business priorities with relevant expertise across its African network.

Clinton Clarke, Senior Executive Officer: Absa Bank Limited (DIFC Branch), added that: “For Middle Eastern-based businesses and investors looking towards Africa, the challenge is often understanding how an opportunity translates into a viable business decision. Each market has its own commercial, regulatory and operating considerations. Having a presence in Dubai means we can engage more closely with clients, understand the markets and sectors they are interested in, and bring the appropriate African market and sector specialists into those discussions. Our focus is on understanding what clients want to achieve and connecting them with the expertise and relationships needed to make informed decisions across African markets.”

The Dubai presence also supports Absa’s ambition to expand its international reach while maintaining a strong focus on the African markets it serves. As engagement with GCC-based institutions develops, the bank will prioritise opportunities aligned with its sector expertise, client relationships and long-term growth strategy. The value of the Dubai presence will ultimately be measured by the business it enables, the investment it supports and the enduring commercial relationships it helps build between Africa and the Middle East.

His Excellency Mahash Alhameli, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to South Africa said: “I am pleased to welcome Absa Group, one of Africa’s leading banks, to the United Arab Emirates. This is another milestone in the advancement the flourishing of UAE – South Africa economic relations. The bank will play a critical role as a bridge for business between Africa and the Gulf.”