Nigeria, UAE to co-host investopia in Lagos February
…Seal Major Trade Pact
President Bola Tinubu has announced that Nigeria will co-host Investopia with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Lagos in February, as part of efforts to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into the country.
The President made the announcement on Tuesday at the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), where Nigeria also concluded a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE to deepen trade relations and cooperation across key sectors.
Those present at the signing of the CEPA included President Tinubu; the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; 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.
President Tinubu described the CEPA as a historic and strategic agreement that will expand collaboration between both countries in renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, digital trade, aviation, agriculture, and climate-smart infrastructure. He said the pact would create long-term opportunities for citizens of Nigeria and the UAE.
According to him, Investopia will serve as a platform bringing together global investors, innovators, policymakers, and business leaders to turn 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,” the President said.
Addressing the summit, President Tinubu stated that Nigeria is targeting the mobilisation of up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance as it accelerates energy transition reforms and expands electricity access nationwide.
He emphasised that electricity remains the foundation of any modern economy, noting that Nigeria is pursuing industrialisation while balancing decarbonisation. The President also called for reforms in the global financial architecture, urging a shift away from heavy reliance on sovereign guarantees for developing economies.
Instead, he advocated blended finance and first-loss capital mechanisms that would enable private sustainable capital to flow directly into green projects without further burdening national balance sheets.
President Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria has strengthened its climate governance framework through the adoption of a National Carbon Market Activation Policy and the launch of a National Carbon Registry, measures aimed at boosting transparency and investor confidence.
He identified the Electricity Act 2023 as a key pillar of Nigeria’s energy reforms, explaining that it allows decentralised power generation and distribution, particularly to underserved communities.
The President further highlighted a $500 million distributed renewable energy fund backed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and a $750 million World Bank-supported programme expected to expand clean electricity access to more than 17.5 million Nigerians.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 under its Energy Transition Plan, President Tinubu said the country would continue to pursue industrial growth and universal energy access. He also invited foreign investors to partner with Nigeria in the lithium and critical minerals sector, stressing the government’s focus on local processing and value addition.
President Tinubu noted that ongoing economic reforms are yielding results, including a 21 per cent increase in non-oil exports, rising capital importation, and over $50 billion in investment commitments across key sectors.
“These reforms, alongside wider fiscal and monetary measures, are delivering results. We are ready to work with partners across the world to ensure that the next era of development is green, inclusive, just, and enduring,” he said.
The statement was signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
