Nigeria’s bilateral trade with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) rose to approximately $5 billion in 2025, marking a major milestone as both countries move to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, technology, aviation and other strategic sectors.
The trade milestone was highlighted on Wednesday during a meeting between the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
Alshamsi said trade between the two countries had grown steadily from about $3 billion to $4.3 billion in 2024, before reaching approximately $5 billion in 2025.
He expressed optimism that stronger political relations and closer institutional engagement would create further opportunities for increased trade and investment.
The meeting reviewed key areas of bilateral cooperation, including economic development, connectivity, emerging technologies and people-to-people relations.
A major issue discussed was the Nigeria-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which the UAE envoy said had already been ratified by his country.
Alshamsi expressed hope that the completion of the necessary processes on the Nigerian side would pave the way for expanded trade and investment.
The proposed commencement of Emirates Airline operations in Abuja was also discussed, alongside ongoing consultations with relevant Nigerian authorities to strengthen air connectivity.
Responding, Enikanolaiye welcomed the growth in non-oil trade and investment, describing stronger economic ties with the UAE as consistent with Nigeria’s economic diplomacy priorities.
He said Nigeria was focused on diversifying export markets and promoting growth in manufacturing, services, technology and fintech.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to completing the processes required for the implementation of CEPA and called for the early convening of the Nigeria-UAE Joint Commission to address outstanding matters and identify new areas of cooperation.
Both sides also explored opportunities for collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital technology and other emerging sectors.
Nigeria expressed interest in knowledge transfer, skills development and capacity building, particularly for young Nigerians, while welcoming increased UAE investment in infrastructure, technology, energy and financial services.
The two countries also stressed the importance of strengthening people-to-people relations and welcomed progress in resolving previous visa-related challenges.
They noted that improved travel arrangements would facilitate greater movement for business, investment, tourism and other purposes.
Both countries expressed confidence that sustained political engagement, stronger economic cooperation and closer institutional collaboration would translate their longstanding partnership into greater economic and social benefits for Nigerians and Emiratis.
