Nigeria, UAE Seal Trade Pact as Tinubu Unveils Lagos as Co-Host of Global Investopia Summit
14th January, 2026
Nigeria has secured a major boost to its investment and trade ambitions as President Bola Tinubu announced that the country will co-host the global Investopia investment forum with the United Arab Emirates in Lagos this February, alongside the signing of a landmark trade agreement between both nations.
The announcement was made on Tuesday at the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), where Nigeria and the UAE concluded a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at deepening cooperation in renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, digital trade, aviation and agriculture.
President Tinubu and UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, witnessed the signing of the agreement, alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
Describing CEPA as a “historic and strategic” accord, President Tinubu said the agreement would unlock enduring economic opportunities for both countries while strengthening collaboration in climate-smart infrastructure and sustainable development.
He said the Lagos-hosted Investopia will convene global investors, innovators, policymakers and business leaders to convert ideas into concrete investment commitments.
“We warmly invite our partners to join us and help build the next chapter of sustainable and shared prosperity for Nigeria, Africa and the world,” Tinubu said.
Addressing the summit, the President disclosed that Nigeria is targeting up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance as it accelerates energy transition reforms and expands electricity access nationwide.
“The foundation of every modern economy is electricity. As an emerging economy in the Global South, we understand the delicate balance between industrialisation and decarbonisation,” he said.
Tinubu also called for reforms in the global financial system, urging a shift away from sovereign guarantee requirements toward blended finance and first-loss capital mechanisms that would allow private sustainable capital to flow directly into green projects in developing economies.
He noted that Nigeria has strengthened its climate governance architecture through the adoption of a National Carbon Market Activation Policy and the launch of a National Carbon Registry to enhance transparency and investor confidence.
Highlighting the Electricity Act 2023 as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy reforms, Tinubu said the law enables decentralised power generation and distribution, particularly to underserved communities.
He added that Nigeria’s climate investment drive includes a $500 million distributed renewable energy fund backed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and a $750 million World Bank programme expected to expand clean electricity access to more than 17.5 million people.
The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 under its Energy Transition Plan, while pursuing industrial growth and universal energy access. He also invited foreign investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s lithium and critical minerals sector, stressing the government’s focus on local processing and value addition.
Tinubu said ongoing economic reforms are yielding results, citing a 21 per cent growth in non-oil exports, increased capital importation and more than $50 billion in investment commitments across key sectors.
“We are ready to work with partners across the world to ensure that the next era of development is not only green and inclusive, but just and enduring,” he said.
