Two-way commerce between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) expanded by 66.7 percent to nearly $5 billion in 2025 from $3 billion in 2024, underscoring growing commercial ties between both nations as they advance toward finalizing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The breakthrough was revealed when the UAE envoy to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, paid a diplomatic visit to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
In an official statement released by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alshamsi indicated that the UAE had already approved the trade deal and expressed optimism that Nigeria’s completion of its domestic approval process would further unlock capital opportunities.
He noted that the CEPA could intensify investments in crucial sectors including manufacturing, services, energy, and financial services.
The diplomat also revealed that discussions were ongoing with Nigerian officials regarding arrangements to launch direct Emirates Airline flights to Abuja, a move anticipated to enhance commercial and travel links between both nations.
In response, Enikanolaiye welcomed the boost in bilateral trade, particularly the expansion of non-oil economic cooperation, describing it as aligned with Nigeria’s economic diplomacy agenda.
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He reassured the UAE delegation of the Federal Government’s commitment to expediting the CEPA framework and urged the prompt convention of the Nigeria-UAE Joint Commission to resolve pending issues affecting bilateral economic cooperation.
The minister stated that the alliance should extend beyond commodity trade to encompass investment, technology transfer, and talent development.
He highlighted artificial intelligence, digital technology, and financial technology as domains where Nigeria could gain from deeper collaboration with the UAE.
According to him, technical partnerships, knowledge transfer, and skill-building initiatives would help equip Nigerian youths with capabilities needed to participate effectively in the digital economy.
The surge in bilateral trade comes as Nigeria aims to attract additional foreign capital, diversify its economy, and diminish reliance on oil revenues.
The CEPA is anticipated to offer a broader framework for boosting trade and investment flows between both countries, while enhancing market access and creating opportunities for enterprises across both economies.
Both sides are expected to maintain dialogue toward concluding the required internal procedures for the deal and strengthening institutional structures for its execution.
