Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with both countries exploring opportunities to expand trade, investment, technology, aviation and people-to-people exchanges.
The commitment was made when the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, met with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
According to a statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, discussions centred on bilateral trade and investment, economic cooperation, connectivity, emerging technologies and people-to-people relations.
Alshamsi congratulated Enikanolaiye on his appointment and reaffirmed the UAE Embassy’s readiness to work closely with the Ministry in advancing shared interests.
The Ambassador highlighted the growth in bilateral trade, which increased from about $3 billion to $4.3 billion in 2024 and approximately $5 billion in 2025.
He expressed optimism that stronger political relations would further boost trade and investment between the two countries.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the UAE-Nigeria Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Alshamsi 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.
He noted that the agreement would serve as an important framework for deepening economic relations and creating additional opportunities for businesses in both countries.
The Ambassador also highlighted the proposed commencement of Emirates Airline operations in Abuja and ongoing consultations with relevant Nigerian authorities aimed at strengthening aviation connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE.
Enikanolaiye welcomed the growth in non-oil trade and investment, noting that stronger economic relations aligned with Nigeria’s economic diplomacy priorities.
He stressed the need to diversify export markets and promote manufacturing, services, technology and fintech as key drivers of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to concluding the necessary processes for the implementation of CEPA and called for the early convening of the Nigeria-UAE Joint Commission to address outstanding issues and identify new areas of cooperation.
Both sides also acknowledged the growing potential for collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital technology and other emerging sectors.
The Nigerian side expressed interest in knowledge transfer, skills development and capacity building, particularly for young Nigerians, while welcoming increased UAE investment in priority sectors, including infrastructure, technology, energy and financial services.
According to the statement, enhanced cooperation would facilitate increased movement between both countries for “business, investment, tourism and other purposes.”
Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with the UAE to strengthen bilateral relations, while both sides expressed confidence that “sustained political engagement, stronger economic cooperation and closer institutional collaboration” would deliver greater benefits for the peoples of both countries.
