In a significant move to boost foreign investment and economic ties, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have concluded a landmark trade agreement and announced plans to jointly host a major global investment summit in Lagos.
A Historic Partnership Forged in Abu Dhabi
The announcements were made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, during his participation at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026. The centrepiece of the new bilateral cooperation is the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed to deepen trade and cooperation across pivotal sectors.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by President Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The documents were endorsed by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, and her counterpart, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
Investopia Lagos: A Gateway for Global Capital
As a direct outcome of this strengthened alliance, President Tinubu revealed that Nigeria will co-host the Investopia platform with the UAE in Lagos in February 2026. This event is designed to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment into Nigeria's economy.
"Investopia Lagos will convene global investors, innovators, policymakers, and business leaders to translate ideas into concrete investments and shared prosperity," President Tinubu stated. He extended a warm invitation to international partners to join in building a sustainable future for Nigeria, Africa, and the world.
Ambitious Climate Finance and Energy Transition Goals
Addressing the ADSW summit, President Tinubu outlined Nigeria's ambitious target to mobilise up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance. This effort supports the nation's energy-transition reforms and goal to expand electricity access nationwide.
He emphasised that the Electricity Act of 2023 is a cornerstone of these reforms, enabling decentralised power generation. The President cited ongoing investments, including:
- A $500 million distributed renewable energy fund.
- A $750 million World Bank-supported programme expected to provide clean electricity to over 17.5 million Nigerians.
Tinubu also highlighted Nigeria's strengthened climate governance through a new National Carbon Market Activation Policy and a National Carbon Registry to boost transparency.
Strategic Economic Sectors and Future Outlook
The newly signed CEPA is described as a historic and strategic pact that will expand cooperation in several key areas. President Tinubu listed these as including:
- Aviation and Logistics
- Agriculture
- Climate-smart Infrastructure
- Digital Trade
The President reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 under its Energy Transition Plan, while still pursuing industrial growth and local value addition in critical minerals. He noted that recent reforms have already driven a 21% growth in non-oil exports and increased investor confidence.
"We are ready to work with partners across the world to ensure that the next era of development is green, inclusive, just, and enduring," President Tinubu concluded, signalling a new chapter in Nigeria's economic diplomacy and sustainable development agenda.
