President Bola Tinubu has announced that Nigeria will co-host Investopia with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Lagos in February, as part of efforts to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into the country.
According to Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, 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 bilateral trade and cooperation in key sectors, including renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics and digital trade.
The CEPA was signed in the presence of President Tinubu and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Also present were 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 the agreement as historic and strategic, noting that it would also strengthen cooperation in aviation, agriculture and climate-smart infrastructure, while creating long-term opportunities for the citizens of both countries.
He said Investopia would serve as a platform to bring together global investors, innovators, policymakers and business leaders to convert ideas into actionable investments and sustainable partnerships.
“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 the summit, President Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria aims to mobilise up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance as it accelerates energy transition reforms and expands electricity access nationwide.
“The foundation of every modern economy is electricity. As an emerging economy in the Global South, we recognise the need to balance industrialisation with decarbonisation, ensuring that neither is pursued at the expense of the other,” he said.
The President called for reforms in the global financial architecture, urging a shift away from restrictive sovereign guarantee requirements that disadvantage developing economies. He advocated greater use of blended finance and first-loss capital mechanisms to enable private sustainable capital to flow directly into green projects.
President Tinubu said Nigeria has strengthened its climate governance framework through the adoption of a National Carbon Market Activation Policy and the launch of a National Carbon Registry, measures aimed at enhancing transparency and boosting investor confidence.
He identified the Electricity Act 2023 as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy reforms, explaining that it enables decentralised power generation and distribution, particularly to underserved communities.
According to him, Nigeria’s climate investment strategy includes a $500 million distributed renewable energy fund backed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and a $750 million World Bank-supported programme expected to expand clean electricity access to more than 17.5 million people.
The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 under its Energy Transition Plan, while simultaneously pursuing industrial growth and universal energy access.
He also invited foreign investors to partner with Nigeria in the development of its lithium and critical minerals sector, emphasising the government’s focus on local processing and value addition.
Highlighting the impact of ongoing economic reforms, President Tinubu said non-oil exports have grown by 21 per cent, supported by a more diversified export base, while capital importation has increased significantly, with over $50 billion in investment commitments recorded across key sectors.
“These reforms, alongside broader fiscal and monetary measures, are delivering results. We are ready to work with partners across the world to ensure that the next era of development is green, inclusive, just and enduring,” he said.
