Abu dhabi: President Bola Tinubu has announced that Nigeria will co-host the Investopia conference with the United Arab Emirates in Lagos in February. This initiative is aimed at attracting global investors and enhancing sustainable investment inflows.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, President Tinubu made this announcement during the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). The announcement was made alongside Nigeria’s completion of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE. Presidential spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, issued a statement about this development in Abu Dhabi.
The CEPA seeks to deepen collaboration in sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, and digital trade. The signing was attended by prominent figures including UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Nigeria’s Trade Minister Dr. Jumoke Oduwsour
ole, and UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. President Tinubu described the CEPA as a strategic agreement beneficial to both nations, aiming to bolster cooperation in aviation, logistics, agriculture, and climate-smart infrastructure.
The Investopia conference is expected to bring together investors, innovators, policymakers, and business leaders in Lagos. President Tinubu emphasized that this platform would transform opportunities into real commitments and ideas into tangible investments. He extended an invitation to partners to contribute to building sustainable and shared prosperity for Nigeria, Africa, and the global community.
Tinubu revealed that Nigeria plans to mobilize $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance. He highlighted the importance of electricity for modern economies and discussed Nigeria’s efforts to balance industrialization with decarbonization. The president also advocated for reforms in global finance to facilitate access for developing countries, suggesting a shift from sovereign guarantees to blended finance and first-loss capital mechanisms.
President Tinubu noted Nigeria’s progress in climate governance through a National Carbon Market Activation Policy and the launch of a National Carbon Registry to boost transparency and investor confidence. He mentioned the Electricity Act 2023, which supports decentralized power generation for underserved areas, and a $500-million renewable energy fund backed by the NSIA. Additionally, a $750-million World Bank program aims to expand clean power access to 17.5 million Nigerians.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2060 under its Energy Transition Plan, President Tinubu invited investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s lithium and critical minerals sector, with a focus on local value addition. He highlighted ongoing reforms that have resulted in a 21 percent growth in non-oil exports and over $50 billion in investment commitments across key sectors. Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with global partners to ensure that the next era of development is green, inclusive, just, and enduring.