Nigeria is increasingly being positioned as a priority destination for multi-billion-dollar capital inflows from the United Arab Emirates, as both countries move to deepen trade and investment relations, with agriculture taking centre stage.

At the inaugural Investopia Africa forum in Lagos, UAE officials noted that Gulf capital remains significantly underrepresented in Africa’s largest economy, despite Nigeria’s vast market, rich resource base and growing commercial links. Conversations at the event spanned agriculture, technology, infrastructure, mining and trade, with potential investments ranging from several hundred million dollars to multiple billions, contingent on regulatory certainty, project preparedness and access to credible local partners.

Agriculture emerged as the most immediate and attractive entry point for UAE investors, particularly in export-oriented production and value-chain infrastructure. UAE-affiliated agribusinesses with global footprints are increasingly viewing Nigeria as a compelling destination for investments in farmland, processing plants and logistics networks. Priority is being placed on projects that promote climate-resilient food systems and sustainable livelihoods. Beyond export revenues, these investments are expected to generate employment across farming, storage, transportation and agro-processing, helping to absorb Nigeria’s rapidly expanding youth population while integrating smallholders and MSMEs into formal value chains.

Infrastructure was identified as a critical enabler for unlocking broader investment flows. Power, water, transport and wastewater recycling were highlighted as foundational to productivity and industrial expansion. Technology also featured prominently as a long-term opportunity, especially in capital-intensive segments such as fibre-optic infrastructure, data centres, cloud services and smart metering—seen as essential for supporting digital trade, financial services and scalable businesses.

Mining and solid minerals, including lithium and rare earths, also drew strong interest. However, participants emphasised that sustained investment in supporting infrastructure and clearer regulatory frameworks would be required to translate interest into bankable projects. While investor appetite was clear, UAE officials cautioned that successful deal execution would depend less on diplomatic goodwill and more on market knowledge, access to reliable data and the ability to engage trusted local partners. Business-to-business engagement, rather than government-led initiatives, was described as the main driver of successful transactions, with platforms such as Investopia playing a vital role in relationship-building and deal origination.

Trade data presented at the event showed that non-oil trade between Nigeria and the UAE reached USD 4.3bn in 2025, highlighting the growing momentum in bilateral relations. UAE representatives underscored their country’s strength as a global trade and investment hub, offering Nigerian producers access to markets across Asia and Europe through advanced logistics, digital infrastructure and financial systems. This, they said, creates new pathways for Nigerian MSMEs to scale operations, formalise businesses and integrate into global supply chains.

Nigerian officials reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to facilitating investment and supporting private-sector partnerships, with agriculture, solid minerals, nano-exports and infrastructure identified as priority sectors. State governments, particularly Lagos, were described as increasingly proactive in developing bankable projects, supported by investments in transport, digital connectivity and security. Port authorities also confirmed that modernisation programmes are underway to handle rising trade volumes and improve turnaround times.

Participants at Investopia Africa agreed that sustained engagement, credible partnerships and effective project execution will determine how quickly investor interest translates into jobs, exports and long-term economic transformation. For Nigeria—especially in agriculture and related sectors—the emphasis is shifting from headline investment figures to how foreign capital can strengthen local enterprises, deepen value addition and deliver inclusive growth.