President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that Nigeria will co-host Investopia with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in Lagos this February, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s drive to attract global investment and position itself as a hub for sustainable economic growth.
The announcement was made on Tuesday at the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), where Nigeria also concluded a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with the UAE—an accord designed to deepen trade, investment, and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Nigeria and UAE Sign Historic Economic Partnership
The CEPA was signed in the presence of President Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the UAE’s 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 will expand cooperation across key sectors including renewable energy, infrastructure, aviation, logistics, agriculture, digital trade, and climate-smart development.
According to him, the pact creates enduring economic opportunities for citizens of both countries while strengthening South–South economic collaboration.
Investopia Lagos: Turning Ideas Into Investment
President Tinubu said the upcoming Investopia event in Lagos will serve as a global platform bringing together investors, innovators, policymakers, and business leaders to convert ideas into tangible investment commitments.
“Investopia will transform opportunities into commitment and ideas into investment,” the President said, extending an invitation to global partners to participate in shaping Nigeria’s next chapter of sustainable growth.
He emphasised that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader ambition to become a preferred destination for long-term, impact-driven capital across Africa.
Nigeria Targets $30 Billion Annually in Green Finance
Addressing the summit, President Tinubu revealed 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.
He underscored the centrality of power supply to economic development, describing electricity as the foundation of every modern economy.
“As an emerging economy in the Global South, we understand the delicate balance between industrialisation and decarbonisation,” he said, stressing that neither objective should be pursued at the expense of the other.
Calling for Reform of Global Financial Architecture
President Tinubu used the platform to advocate a fundamental shift in the global financial system, criticising the continued reliance on sovereign guarantees, which he said disproportionately burden developing economies.
He called instead for greater use of blended finance and first-loss capital mechanisms that would allow private sustainable capital to flow directly into green projects without overstraining national balance sheets.
Strengthening Climate Governance and Transparency
The President highlighted Nigeria’s strengthened climate governance framework, pointing to the adoption of a National Carbon Market Activation Policy and the launch of a National Carbon Registry.
These measures, he explained, are designed to improve transparency, standardisation, and investor confidence in Nigeria’s emerging carbon market.
Electricity Act and Power Sector Reforms Take Centre Stage
President Tinubu identified the Electricity Act 2023 as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy reforms, noting that it enables decentralised power generation and distribution—particularly for underserved and rural communities.
He also outlined major investment initiatives, including a $500 million distributed renewable energy fund backed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and a $750 million World Bank programme expected to expand clean electricity access to over 17.5 million Nigerians.
Net-Zero Ambitions and Critical Minerals Opportunity
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2060 under its Energy Transition Plan, President Tinubu said the country remains focused on achieving industrial growth alongside universal energy access.
He invited foreign investors to partner with Nigeria in its lithium and critical minerals sector, stressing that government policy prioritises local processing and value addition to maximise economic benefits.
Economic Reforms Delivering Measurable Results
President Tinubu noted that Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms are already producing tangible outcomes. Non-oil exports, he said, have grown by 21 per cent, supported by a more diversified export base.
He added that capital importation has increased significantly, with Nigeria now recording over $50 billion in investment commitments across key sectors of the economy.
“These reforms, alongside broader fiscal and monetary measures, are delivering results,” he said.
A Call for a Green, Inclusive, and Just Future
Concluding his remarks, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work with global partners to ensure that the next phase of development is green, inclusive, just, and enduring—not only for Nigeria, but for Africa and the wider global economy.
