During a recent UAE state visit to India, DP World and the Government of India jointly unveiled the Bharat Africa Setu — a dedicated trade corridor designed to significantly boost commercial ties between India and Africa. The launch was marked by the presence of Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal.
Highlighting Africa’s untapped potential, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem emphasised that trade and partnerships remain crucial to the continent’s economic growth. According to him, the Bharat Africa Setu will provide Indian exporters with improved access to Africa’s growing consumer base by streamlining bilateral trade and enhancing market entry points.
An Integrated Ecosystem for Expanding Market Access
Endorsed by India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of External Affairs, the Bharat Africa Setu will link DP World’s extensive network of ports, economic zones, and logistics parks across India and Africa. This new platform is designed to offer Indian businesses seamless access to 53 African nations and more than 260,000 retail points through a unified trade infrastructure.
The initiative goes beyond physical connectivity. It integrates vital services like export financing, marketing, packaging, logistics, and certification, which are expected to minimise operational friction and drive smoother trade transactions. Presently, Africa imports around $430 billion worth of goods annually, with India accounting for only $28 billion, roughly 6.5% of the total. The Bharat Africa Setu aims to push this figure to 12% by 2030, underlining its ambitious scope.
Bharat Mart — A Complementary Step to Global Trade Ambitions
The timing of this launch coincides with the commencement of Bharat Mart’s construction in Dubai, a 2.7 million-square-foot marketplace aimed at connecting Indian exporters to global buyers. Located within the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), the first phase, covering 1.3 million square feet, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. This phase will feature 1,500 showrooms, more than 700,000 square feet of warehouse and industrial space, and offices, with special allocations for women-led Indian enterprises.
Shri Piyush Goyal reinforced the initiative’s broader vision by stating that Africa’s strategic significance lies in its dynamic and evolving markets. Strengthening trade channels, removing bottlenecks, and empowering Indian businesses will not only ensure efficient exports but also foster mutual growth and prosperity across the Arabian Sea.
