President Bola Tinubu recently announced significant initiatives at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026, aimed at attracting global investment and accelerating sustainable economic growth in Nigeria. A cornerstone of these efforts is Nigeria's plan to co-host Investopia with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Lagos, scheduled for February. This collaboration is designed to bring together global investors, innovators, policymakers, and business leaders, fostering an environment where ideas can be transformed into concrete investments and shared prosperity, thereby strengthening Nigeria's appeal as a dynamic investment destination.

A major development coinciding with these announcements is the conclusion of a historic Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Nigeria and the UAE. The agreement was formally signed in the presence of President Tinubu, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, and the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. This pivotal pact is set to significantly deepen trade and cooperation across a broad spectrum of critical sectors, including renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, digital trade, aviation, agriculture, and climate-smart infrastructure, promising enduring opportunities for both nations.

The CEPA offers substantial economic benefits for Nigeria, particularly enhancing its export capabilities. The UAE has committed to immediately eliminating tariffs on over 7,000 Nigerian products, encompassing various agricultural and industrial goods such such as fish, seafood, oil seeds, cereals, cotton, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. Furthermore, over the next three to five years, tariffs on Nigerian machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, apparel, and furniture will also be phased out, establishing a clear and competitive route for Nigerian industrial exports into one of the world's most vibrant trading centers. Beyond trade in goods, the agreement simplifies the process for Nigerian businesses to establish operations in the UAE, allowing for new corporate entities, branches, and subsidiaries. It also grants Nigerian business visitors up to 90 days of entry within a 12-month period and permits intra-corporate transferees, including managers, executives, and specialists, to relocate for renewable three-year periods, thereby improving business mobility and fostering stronger ties.

In reciprocation, Nigeria has made its own commitments under the CEPA, primarily involving the elimination of tariffs on approximately 6,000 products. Around 60 percent of these tariffs will be removed instantly, with the remaining portion phased out over a five-year period. These specific imports are strategically focused on industrial inputs, capital goods, and machinery, aiming to bolster Nigeria’s productive capacity. It is important to note that Nigeria’s Import Prohibition List remains fully in effect. Regarding trade in services, Nigeria's commitments cover 99 specific services across 10 vital sectors, including business services, communication, transport, financial services, construction, distribution, health, environment, recreational/sporting, and tourism.

This CEPA transcends a mere trade agreement; it is a strategic instrument poised to drive Nigeria's economic transformation. By securing substantial market access for value-added and industrial goods, the agreement provides a strong incentive for Nigerian manufacturers to scale up production for export. Additionally, it strategically positions Nigeria as a crucial gateway for international investors seeking entry into the vast African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which encompasses 1.4 billion people. Early indicators of this growing confidence are already visible, with significant participation from UAE institutional investors, including First Abu Dhabi Bank, particularly in infrastructure financing. A notable example is their support for the construction of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road, which signifies a robust vote of confidence in Nigeria’s macroeconomic trajectory and ongoing reform agenda. The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, in collaboration with key MDAs such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), and Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), is prepared to ensure swift implementation, enabling Nigerian businesses and investors to fully capitalize on these new opportunities.

President Tinubu also emphasized Nigeria's strong commitment to climate action and green industrial finance. The nation aims to mobilize up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance as it accelerates energy-transition reforms and works to expand nationwide electricity access. Highlighting electricity as the fundamental basis of modern economies, President Tinubu called for a substantial overhaul of the global financial architecture. He advocated for the prioritization of blended finance and first-loss capital mechanisms over restrictive sovereign guarantees, which often unfairly disadvantage developing economies. The goal is to facilitate direct private sustainable capital flows into green projects, thereby avoiding additional strain on national balance sheets.

To enhance transparency and boost investor confidence in this critical sector, Nigeria has fortified its climate governance framework through the adoption of a National Carbon Market Activation Policy and the official launch of a National Carbon Registry. The Electricity Act 2023 is a central pillar of these energy reforms, designed to enable decentralized power generation and distribution to communities that are currently underserved. Significant investments are already in motion, including a $500 million distributed renewable energy fund, supported by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, and a $750 million World Bank-backed program expected to extend clean electricity access to more than 17.5 million Nigerians.

Nigeria remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, as outlined in its Energy Transition Plan, while simultaneously pursuing robust industrial growth, promoting local value addition in critical minerals like lithium, and fostering inclusive development. President Tinubu highlighted that Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms are yielding tangible results, including a remarkable 21 percent growth in non-oil exports and a significant surge in capital importation, with over $50 billion in investment commitments across key sectors. These reforms, coupled with broader fiscal and monetary measures, are successfully driving a more diversified product base. The President concluded by extending a warm invitation to partners worldwide, underscoring Nigeria's readiness to collaborate in building a future of development that is not only green and inclusive but also just and enduring, for the benefit of Nigeria, Africa, and the global community.