Conference Presentation, Panel, Fireside Chat
Global Overview: Innovation, Partnerships, and Growth | Middle East & Africa Summit 2025
Milken InstituteHadley Gamble, His Excellency Jasem Al Budaiwi, Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed AlMheiri, Yasseen Mansour, Michael Milken, Yassine Mansour, Jasem Al Budaiwi, Mariam bint Mohammed AlMheiri
- The GCC aims to solidify regional security through a joint agreement where an attack on one nation is treated as an attack on all, while expediting the construction of a missile dome in cooperation with the United States and maintaining separate strategic relationships with major global powers including China, Russia, the US, the EU, and Latin America.
- Regional economic structures are evolving with the GCC achieving 76% non-oil income and establishing a collective AI strategy in 2024, alongside specific targets such as Abu Dhabi becoming an AI-driven government by 2027 and a mandate for every UAE ministry to utilize AI in at least one operational aspect.
- The Gulf region is actively positioning itself as a global hub for AI infrastructure and data centers, with previous discussions targeting $150 billion in data center investments to meet the energy demands of AI, while local expansion plans include 2.0 investing heavily in African critical metals like copper and tin across operational and exploration sites.
- Investment flows are anticipated to shift significantly toward Africa, driven by population growth projections where the continent's 1.4 billion people are expected to double in 25 years, creating a long-term investment horizon of 8 to 10 years for returns and facilitating major projects like the acquisition of Ras al-Hikmah.
- Demographic trends predict a divergence between regions, with the Middle East and Africa expected to offer growth opportunities contrasting with aging populations in Europe and potential population declines in the US (estimated 15% loss) and China (50% loss), with Africa potentially adding 1.5 billion people while China loses 700 million.
- Specific corporate growth trajectories include Palm Hill Development expanding into Saudi Arabia and Kuwait with a goal to develop land equivalent to 80% of Manhattan by 2030, having grown at a CAGR of 110% over the last three years, and UAE expat populations expected to grow driven by digital connectivity and a friendly tax regime.
- Future energy and healthcare demands are projected to be substantial, with global energy demand expected to grow by 25% by 2050 requiring $44 trillion in investment by 2030, while AI is expected to democratize healthcare access globally within the next decade and potentially double life expectancy in parts of Africa within one generation.
- Geopolitical mediation efforts are underway in surrounding regions including Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Lebanon, and Syria, with specific actions by Saudi Arabia on the two-state solution, the UAE facilitating prisoner exchanges, and Qatar conducting peace talks, while reconstruction in Gaza is viewed as a multi-billion dollar opportunity.
- Risk factors and challenges include the need for coordinated security efforts following recent attacks on Qatar, the necessity for US reforms in safety, food, and water, and the demographic crisis in China where 40% of adults may face diabetes and half the children could disappear without dramatic changes.
- Global market dynamics suggest emerging markets will see declining interest rates with growth outpacing the developed world, while the Middle East is expected to become the "next Europe" regarding safety and tax issues, and a shift in entrepreneurial migration sees the UAE as the top destination for UK entrepreneurs.