Nigeria, UAE target $5bn trade, deepen economic ties
Abdullateef Fowewe
Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with discussions focused on trade, investment, aviation connectivity, emerging technologies, and visa facilitation.
The commitment according to a statement obtained on Thursday from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was made on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, when Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, received the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
During the meeting, Alshamsi highlighted the growth in bilateral trade between both countries, which rose from approximately $3 billion to $4.3 billion in 2024 and reached about $5 billion in 2025.
The UAE envoy expressed optimism that improved political relations would further promote trade and investment between Nigeria and the UAE.
“The UAE Ambassador congratulated the Honourable Minister of State on his appointment and reaffirmed the Embassy’s readiness to work closely with the Ministry in advancing shared interests,” the statement said.
The two officials also reviewed the implementation of the UAE-Nigeria Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
According to the statement, the agreement has been ratified by the UAE, while discussions are ongoing on the Nigerian side to complete the necessary processes.
Alshamsi expressed hope that the agreement’s implementation would help expand trade and investment between the two countries.
Enikanolaiye, in response, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to concluding the outstanding processes and called for the early convening of the Nigeria-UAE Joint Commission.
“He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to concluding the necessary processes for CEPA implementation and called for the early convening of the Nigeria-UAE Joint Commission to address outstanding issues and identify new areas of cooperation,” the ministry said.
The proposed commencement of Emirates Airline operations in Abuja also featured prominently during the discussions.
The UAE ambassador said consultations were continuing with relevant Nigerian authorities to strengthen aviation connectivity between both countries.
The development is expected to improve movement for businesses, investors, tourists and other travellers.
Both sides identified artificial intelligence, digital technology and other emerging technologies as potential areas for increased cooperation.
Nigeria expressed interest in knowledge transfer, skills development and capacity building, particularly for young Nigerians.
The country also welcomed increased UAE investment in priority sectors, including infrastructure, technology, energy and financial services.
Enikanolaiye said stronger economic relations aligned with Nigeria’s economic diplomacy priorities, especially the diversification of export markets and the promotion of manufacturing, services, technology and fintech.
The meeting also underscored the importance of stronger people-to-people relations.
The officials welcomed progress in resolving previous visa-related challenges, saying improved visa facilitation would support greater movement between Nigeria and the UAE for business, investment, tourism, and other purposes.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said both sides expressed confidence that sustained political engagement, stronger economic cooperation and closer institutional collaboration would deliver greater benefits to the citizens of Nigeria and the UAE.
