Nigeria President Secures UAE Trade Pact, Announces Lagos Investopia to Drive $30bn Annual Green Finance
President Bola Tinubu has announced that Nigeria will co-host Investopia with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Lagos in February, a move aimed at attracting global investors and accelerating sustainable investment inflows into Africa’s largest economy.
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 cooperation in trade, renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics and digital commerce.
According to a press statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the agreement was signed in the presence of President Tinubu; UAE President 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 CEPA as a historic and strategic agreement that would expand collaboration beyond trade to aviation, agriculture, climate-smart infrastructure and logistics, creating long-term opportunities for citizens of both countries.
He said the forthcoming Investopia summit in Lagos would convene investors, innovators, policymakers and business leaders to convert ideas into bankable projects and firm 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 global investors, Tinubu 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. He stressed that electricity remains the backbone of modern economies and said Nigeria is pursuing industrialisation and decarbonisation simultaneously.
The President called for reforms in global finance, urging a shift away from strict sovereign guarantee requirements that disadvantage developing countries. Instead, he advocated blended finance and first-loss capital mechanisms to unlock private investment into green projects without increasing sovereign debt burdens.
Tinubu also highlighted Nigeria’s strengthened climate governance framework, including the adoption of a National Carbon Market Activation Policy and the launch of a National Carbon Registry, aimed at improving transparency and boosting investor confidence.
He identified the Electricity Act 2023 as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy reforms, noting that it allows decentralised power generation and distribution to underserved communities.
He added that Nigeria has established a $500 million distributed renewable energy fund backed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, alongside a $750 million World Bank programme expected to deliver clean electricity to more than 17.5 million people.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2060 under its Energy Transition Plan, Tinubu invited foreign investors to partner in the country’s lithium and critical minerals sector, with emphasis on local processing and value addition.
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The President said ongoing economic reforms are yielding results, citing a 21 per cent increase in non-oil exports, rising capital importation and over $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,” Tinubu said.
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