By Chidubem Anthony
Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have begun discussions to strengthen their longstanding and mutually beneficial relations in trade and investment, economic cooperation, connectivity, emerging technologies and people-to-people relations.
To that end, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, yesterday received in audience the UAE Ambassador, Salem Alshamsi, at the ministry in Abuja, where they reviewed developments in those sectors.
Ambassador Alshamsi reaffirmed the embassy’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in advancing shared interests, spokesperson for the Nigerian ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said in a statement.
Highlighting the significant growth in bilateral trade, which increased from approximately $3 billion to $4.3 billion in 2024, and about $5 billion in 2025, Alshamsi expressed optimism that stronger political relations would continue to support increased trade and investment.
Ebienfa said discussions also focused on the UAE-Nigeria Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with the ambassador expressing hope that the agreement having been ratified by the UAE, its completion on the Nigerian side would further expand bilateral trade and investment.
He also highlighted the proposed commencement of Emirates Airline operations in Abuja and ongoing consultations with relevant Nigerian authorities to strengthen aviation connectivity between both countries.
For his part, Enikanolaiye commended the UAE’s continued commitment to Nigeria and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to concluding the necessary processes for CEPA implementation. He called for the early convening of the Nigeria-UAE Joint Commission to address outstanding issues and identify new areas of cooperation.
Welcoming the growth in non-oil trade and investment, the minister noted that stronger economic relations were consistent with Nigeria’s economic diplomacy priorities, particularly the diversification of export markets and the promotion of manufacturing, services, technology and fintech.
Both sides also recognised the growing potential for cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital technology and other emerging technologies.
Moreover, the Nigerian side expressed interest in knowledge transfer, skills development and capacity building, particularly for young Nigerians, while welcoming increased UAE investment in Nigeria’s priority sectors, including infrastructure, technology, energy and financial services.
The meeting further underscored the importance of people-to-people relations and welcomed progress in resolving previous visa-related challenges, which would facilitate increased movement between the two countries for business, investment, tourism, and other purposes.
Both sides also expressed confidence that sustained political engagement, stronger economic cooperation and closer institutional collaboration would translate the cordial Nigeria-UAE relationship into greater benefits for the citizens of both countries.
