The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has identified Nigeria as a major destination for multi-billion-dollar investments spanning agriculture, technology, infrastructure, mining, and trade. Mohamed Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, said Gulf capital remains underexposed to Africa’s largest economy.
Alsuwaidi made the remarks at the first Investopia Africa event held in Lagos on Monday, noting that potential investment opportunities could range from hundreds of millions to several billions of dollars depending on sector readiness, regulatory clarity, and the availability of credible local partners.
“Opportunities around agriculture are significant. Investment in agricultural land for export could run into hundreds of millions of dollars. Infrastructure projects—covering transport, utilities, power, and water—could attract tens of millions. Technology investments, including data centres, smart metering, and cloud solutions, are in the billions. Mining also presents huge opportunities, though requiring substantial infrastructure,” he said.
The minister stressed that the pace of investment would depend on accurate information, market familiarity, and the identification of reliable partners. “Trust is not the issue. Understanding the market is,” he said, adding that private-sector engagement was central to unlocking deals.
Dr. Jean Fares, CEO of Investopia, highlighted the UAE’s role as a global investment hub capable of connecting Nigerian producers, exporters, and technology firms to Asia, Europe, and beyond. He noted that the UAE’s logistics, financial, and digital infrastructure, including ports, air links, fibre-optic networks, and data centres, makes it an ideal gateway for African investment.
Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the government is committed to facilitating investment, providing support for deal structuring, and ensuring collaboration with subnational governments. She cited Lagos State as a model for infrastructure-driven investment, highlighting the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road and partnerships with UAE banks.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the state is creating a secure, business-ready environment to absorb large-scale investments. “We’ve activated rail projects, waterways, and fibre-optic expansion. We’re also developing the Lagos International Financial Centre to support global investment standards,” he said.
Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, noted ongoing port modernisation projects at Tin Can Island and Apapa Port to address infrastructure gaps and boost trade capacity.
The Investopia Africa event brought together government officials, investors, and private-sector leaders from Nigeria and the UAE. Participants emphasised that sustained engagement, credible partnerships, and project readiness would be key to translating commitments into tangible capital deployment.
