By Jennete Ugo Anya
Nigeria is set to receive a major inflow of capital from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the government and private sector of the Gulf nation projecting more than $10 billion in investments over the coming years.
The announcement came at the first “Investopia Global Africa” summit, co-hosted by Nigeria and the UAE in Lagos, where leaders from both countries emphasised stronger bilateral trade and strategic private-sector partnerships.
Speaking at the event, UAE Minister of Investment, Mr. Mohamed H. Alsuwaidi, expressed optimism about the untapped opportunities in Nigeria. “Reflecting on Nigeria and the potential that is here, I am surprised that we have not deployed significantly much in the past,” he said. “With the current government, we see a window where our investment could reach tens of billions of dollars in the coming years.”
Mr. Alsuwaidi identified key sectors for investment, including infrastructure, entertainment, financial services, agriculture, public transport, utilities, power, mining, warehousing, and wastewater recycling. He highlighted that translating opportunities into tangible projects would require accurate information, strong private-sector networks, and transparency. “We are focused on building trust, understanding the market, and partnering with both private enterprises and government agencies to execute projects effectively,” he added.
The UAE’s Minister stressed that while government partnerships are important, the bulk of investment should be private-sector driven. “There are more deals to be done at the private sector level. We want to build business-to-business relationships, identify low-hanging fruits that can deliver quick wins, and leverage larger projects with transparency,” he said.
Echoing Mr. Alsuwaidi, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, positioned Nigeria as a strong landing board for investment into Africa. She highlighted the country’s strategic access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and pointed to the wide range of investment opportunities available. “Nigeria offers 44 solid minerals in commercial quantities, agri-business, AI and technology solutions, data centres, critical infrastructure, tourism, oil and gas, aviation, and repurposed Free Economic Zones. Investors can see Nigeria as a hub to access the broader African market,” she said.
Dr. Oduwole assured investors that the government has strengthened the legal framework and nurtured trust to protect investments. “Every challenge presents an opportunity. We are ready to facilitate deals and ensure they are executed properly. Your capital will be safe here,” she said, noting that the federal government is committed to fostering an enabling environment.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State also addressed investors, emphasising the state’s readiness to support private and international partnerships. He highlighted ongoing and upcoming projects, including the Lekki Port, the Badagry deep-sea port, a planned international airport, and a major logistics hub aimed at integrating agricultural markets. He further described the Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC), a joint initiative between the state government and EnterpriseNGR, as a platform to attract global capital, enhance transparency, and position Lagos as a continental financial hub.
“Lagos is positioning itself as a willing and ready partner. We have built infrastructure, strengthened security, and removed bottlenecks to allow businesses to operate efficiently,” Mr. Sanwo-Olu said. “The LIFC is designed to be a true African model, blending global best practices with local needs, supporting Nigeria’s ambition to become a $1 trillion economy.”
The summit also served as a venue for announcements of concrete partnerships. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Digital Energy, a UAE firm, and First E&P, a Nigerian energy company, signaling the beginning of actionable deals stemming from the Investopia engagement.
Organisers described Investopia Africa as a strategic platform connecting global capital to African opportunities. Dr. Jean Fares, Chief Executive of Investopia, said, “Our gatherings aim to deepen global dialogues, translate them into partnerships, and ultimately convert those partnerships into tangible investments.” The event highlighted scalable opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, and financial systems, designed to strengthen Africa’s supply chain resilience amid global economic challenges.
Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, stated that the reforms undertaken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration have created a conducive investment climate. “The engagement and dialogue taking place today will contribute meaningfully to strengthening the economies of our countries and deepening bilateral trade,” he said.
Investopia Africa reflects a broader strategic vision by both Nigeria and the UAE to deepen trade relations, attract long-term investment, and leverage private capital for sustainable development. With projected investments exceeding $10 billion, the summit is expected to catalyse industrial growth, infrastructure development, and economic diversification in Nigeria, reinforcing the country’s position as a leading investment destination on the continent.
