What is Doha looking for in Africa?
Staff Writer | Monday August 25, 2025 10:36
The delegation currently on an African tour will reportedly invest in 10 African states including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania and Burundi amongst others. The mission, as described by those close to developments, falls within the greater scheme of things where the Middle East State seeks to consolidate diplomatic relations in Africa and expand its reach and influence in global trade.
Once again, the State of Qatar is reiterating its intentions in looking towards Africa for friends and allies.
According to observers, the massive display of diplomacy will cement Qatar’s new chapter in its global reach. Observers note that the current inroads in Africa are part of a strategy to make strides as Qatar has always been behind its peers in Africa.
Delivering a statement at the UN Security Council held in New York last year, Deputy Permanent Representative of State of Qatar to the United Nations, Jassim Sayar Al Maawda, stressed the need to enhance Africa’s role in countering security and global development challenges. Al Maawda said Qatar cherished all its African relations at all levels.
He highlighted that, in this regard, the State of Qatar had been making efforts particularly in mediation and peace keeping in Africa. He stated that they had mediated in countries like Sudan, Chad, Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea. In the statement, Qatar reiterated its efforts to supporting African countries in strengthening bilateral relations.
Qatar`s growing influence
However, this time around, the visit led by Sheikh Mansour borders on a multi-billion-dollar investment drive in central and southern Africa. Mansour in his dual capacity representing the Al Mansour Group and in his capacity as Qatar Government Director of Communications is accompanied by a delegation.
According to several news sources the tour will result in an investment of $20 billion in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) whilst the remaining nine Sub-Saharan nations will equally get massive investment to spark economic activity. Earlier this week, the President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema confirmed the delegation’s visit on his official social media platform stating that: “We are honoured to receive His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani of the State of Qatar and his delegation at the State House this afternoon.” President Hichilema statement noted that both countries shared cordial relations which strengthened since his 2023 State Visit to Doha, which resulted in the formation of a Zambian Resident Diplomatic Mission in Qatar. Hichilema stated that “today marks a new chapter in this partnership with the signing of multi-billion-dollar MoUs covering mining, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, textiles, transport and logistics, as well as banking and finance.”
As part of the African tour, the delegation arrived in Botswana.
At the airport they were received by the Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Tiroeaone Ntsima. Later on, they were officially welcomed by President Duma Boko at the Office of the President (OP). President Boko stated thus: “I have formally welcomed His Excellency Sheikh Mansour Bin JABOR Bin Jassim Al Thani, a distinguished member of Qatar’s ruling family, leading a high-level delegation and exploring strategic partnerships in Botswana. Their visit signals strong interest in major infrastructure and development projects across different sectors of our economy.”
Boko said in the next few days, the delegation will engage with ministries, State Owned Entreprises (SOEs) and business leaders in lieu of creating a framework agreement that will pave way for transformative investments. Meanwhile, as Doha’s influence in Africa grows, the question that lingers on many is what exactly Doha wants. From mediating in human rights issues, to African leaders now heading to Doha for solutions there could possibly be more to it that meets the eye. In recent memory, Doha has hosted leaders like Paul Kagame of Rwanda and continues to mediate in the M23-DR Congo peace talks.
According to Qatari based analyst Saleh Gharib, as per media reports “the aim of Qatar’s engagement with African nationals is to expand its network of relationships and interests, forming, forming a political force that serves Qatar’s interests and coordinates with it on the international stage.” The need for Qatar’s influence was explained in a 2016 research paper by The Institut francais des relations internationals (Ifri) titled Diplomatic Relations between Qatar and Sub-Saharan Africa: An Evolving Affair, which stated that despite having achieved growth in status in the 20 years from 1995 to 2013 under Emir, Hamad Bin-Khalifa Al Thani, there was a need for “Qatar to exist geopolitically.” The paper notes that apart from leading in production of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) after Russia and Iran, the influence Qatar has in Africa has always been “imagined than real.” The research firm states that the opening of African embassies in Doha has been for several reasons.
Nonetheless, it posits that the main reason why Qatar would establish embassies in Sub-Saharan Africa was “to grasp economic activities.” Meanwhile, despites divergent factors establishing Qatar-Africa relations, it remains to be seen if the current investment drive in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central Africa will bear fruits and what will be in store for the Middle East gulf state.
The State of Qatar is slowly building an influence in Africa from mediating in conflicts to supporting climate change mitigation and ultimately strategic investments in social development. But as the influence grows, the emerging question is, what is Doha looking for? Asks Staff Writer