By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini who is currently the reigning monarch of the Zulu Kingdom had embarked on a journey to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in order to visit Sheikh Alhassan Bin Ali Al-Nuaimi at his royal palace in Ajman on Friday 17 October 2025.
The aim of this visit is to employ a strategic initiative that will build a diplomatic kingdom to kingdom partnership which will advance trade, investment and cooperation between the Zulu Kingdom and other long standing global monarchies.
This meeting will outline frameworks that will enhance a cultural exchange, foster economic collaboration and express a shared commitment to the promotion of sustainable development, innovation, and investment opportunities within the Zulu Kingdom.
King Zwelithini has an interest in positioning his kingdom as a global participant with a plethora of industries emerging while simultaneously preserving the heritage and sovereignty that the Zulu Kingdom holds.
This visit is regarded as a step forward for the monarchy of the Zulu Kingdom to collaborate with international investors, as well as strengthen inter-royal relations as well secure global alliances that will benefit the people of the Zulu Kingdom.
This visit also signifies a new era of African-Arab cooperation which aims to build a space of shared mutual respect and a shared goal of economic empowerment.
The coming months will see the facilitation of the private office of the Zulu king and the royal office of Sheikh Alhassan Bin Ali Al-Nuaimi advancing in talks surrounding projects pertaining to infrastructure, energy, agriculture and tourism.
Meanwhile the economic relations between South Africa and the UAE as a whole has reached new heights with South Africa being the UAE’s second largest trading partner in the African continent, as they account for 8% of the UAE’s non-oil trade.
The growth surge between South Africa and UAE sits at 45% between 2020 and 2023 as the countries continue to strengthen economic links.
South Africa’s imports to the UAE during 2023 amounted to USD $4 billion while their exports to UAE stood at USD $2.53 billion. In 2024 UAE investments to South Africa amounted to $1.3 billion, while South African foreign direct investments to the UAE stood at USD $ 600 million.