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.
The President made the disclosure 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 across key sectors, including renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, aviation, agriculture, digital trade, and climate-smart development.
Present at the signing of the CEPA were President Tinubu; the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; 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 CEPA as a historic and strategic agreement that would unlock enduring opportunities for both countries and strengthen economic ties.
“This agreement will enhance cooperation in aviation, logistics, agriculture, renewable energy, and climate-smart infrastructure, creating lasting value for the people of Nigeria and the UAE,” the President said.
He explained that Investopia, which Nigeria will host jointly with the UAE, is designed to bring together global investors, innovators, policymakers, and business leaders to convert ideas into bankable projects and transform opportunities into concrete investment commitments.
“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,” President Tinubu stated.
Addressing participants at the summit, the President said 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 understand the delicate balance between industrialisation and decarbonisation, ensuring neither is pursued at the expense of the other,” he said.
President Tinubu called for reforms in the global financial system, urging a shift away from restrictive sovereign guarantee requirements that often disadvantage developing economies.
“Instead, the focus should be on blended finance and first-loss capital mechanisms that allow private sustainable capital flows directly into our green projects without further straining national balance sheets,” he added.
The President noted that 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 he said are designed to improve transparency and boost investor confidence.
He identified the Electricity Act 2023 as a central pillar of Nigeria’s energy reforms, explaining that it enables decentralised power generation and distribution, particularly to underserved and rural communities.
According to him, Nigeria’s climate investment push also 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.
President Tinubu 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 lithium and critical minerals sector, stressing the government’s preference for local processing and value addition.
Highlighting the impact of ongoing economic reforms, the President disclosed that non-oil exports have grown by 21 per cent, supported by a more diversified export base.
“These reforms, alongside wider fiscal and monetary measures, are delivering results. Capital importation has risen, and Nigeria now has over $50 billion in investment commitments across key sectors,” he said.
President Tinubu assured global partners of Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate in building a future that is environmentally sustainable, economically inclusive, and socially just.
“We are ready to work with partners across the world to ensure that the next era of development is not only green and inclusive, but just and enduring,” he added.
