ABUJA — Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates have moved to deepen trade and investment ties after bilateral trade between both countries reached about $5 billion in 2025, up from approximately $4.3 billion in 2024.
The development followed a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Wednesday.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the ministry said the discussions focused on bilateral trade and investment, economic cooperation, connectivity, emerging technologies and people-to-people relations.
Alshamsi highlighted the growth in bilateral trade, which increased from approximately $3 billion to $4.3 billion in 2024 and about $5 billion in 2025.
He expressed optimism that stronger political relations between Nigeria and the UAE would continue to support increased trade and investment.
A major focus of the meeting was the Nigeria-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The UAE Ambassador said the agreement had been ratified by the UAE and expressed hope that its completion on the Nigerian side would further expand bilateral trade and investment.
Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to completing 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 minister also welcomed the growth in non-oil trade and investment, saying stronger economic relations aligned with Nigeria’s economic diplomacy priorities, particularly the diversification of export markets and promotion of manufacturing, services, technology and fintech.
The two sides also discussed efforts to strengthen aviation connectivity, including the proposed commencement of Emirates Airline operations in Abuja and ongoing consultations with relevant Nigerian authorities.
Nigeria and the UAE further identified opportunities for cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital technology and other emerging technologies.
The Nigerian side expressed interest in knowledge transfer, skills development and capacity building, particularly for young Nigerians, while welcoming increased UAE investment in infrastructure, technology, energy and financial services.
The meeting also addressed people-to-people relations, with both sides welcoming progress in resolving previous visa-related challenges. The development is expected to facilitate greater movement between Nigeria and the UAE for business, investment, tourism and other purposes.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to sustained political engagement, stronger economic cooperation and closer institutional collaboration, with the aim of delivering greater benefits from the longstanding Nigeria-UAE relationship.
