Absa Group has opened a new office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to strengthen investment and financial connections between Africa and the Middle East. The office, based in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), received a Category 4 licence from the Dubai Financial Services Authority on 15 July 2026. The licence authorises Absa Bank Limited's DIFC Branch to arrange investment deals, advise on financial products, and arrange and advise on credit.
The bank said the expansion aims to bring it closer to businesses, institutional investors and financial institutions across the Gulf Cooperation Council region while connecting international capital with investment opportunities in African markets. Through the new office, eligible clients will access Absa's Corporate and Investment Banking products and services, supported by the group's banking network and expertise across African markets. Zaid Moola, Chief Executive of Corporate and Investment Banking at Absa, said international trade remains an important driver of investment, business expansion and economic growth. He noted that the Dubai office would strengthen the group's ability to connect clients with capital, market expertise and cross-border banking capabilities needed to pursue opportunities between Africa and the Middle East.
Cheryl Buss, Chief Executive of Absa International, said the decision reflected the growing importance of the Middle East in Africa's trade and investment landscape. She emphasised that successful investment decisions require more than access to capital, stressing the importance of understanding local markets, establishing strong business relationships and identifying viable investment opportunities. Having a presence closer to regional decision-makers would enable Absa to strengthen client relationships and position itself as a strategic banking partner for businesses seeking opportunities across Africa, she said.
Absa has identified several sectors with significant potential for cross-border investment, including infrastructure, energy, logistics, agriculture and fast-moving consumer goods. These industries are attracting interest from regional corporations, sovereign-linked entities, institutional investors and international trading companies seeking to expand operations and investment portfolios across Africa. Clinton Clarke, Senior Executive Officer of Absa Bank Limited's DIFC Branch, said the Dubai office would help Middle Eastern businesses and investors better understand the commercial and regulatory environments across African markets, noting that investment opportunities differ across countries and sectors.
His Excellency Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, welcomed Absa's expansion, describing the financial centre as an important platform connecting capital, expertise and investment opportunities between the Middle East and Africa. He said Absa's extensive African network and financial expertise would contribute to the growing trade and investment corridor between the two regions. The expansion forms part of Absa's broader international corridor strategy, which seeks to connect global sources of capital and trade with opportunities across African economies.