Surging trade, potential direct Emirates flights to Abuja and deeper cooperation in technology, energy and finance point to a broader economic partnership……
Trade between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) climbed sharply in 2025, reaching approximately $5 billion, up from $3 billion recorded a year earlier.
The 66.7 per cent increase comes as both countries work towards completing the domestic processes required to bring their proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) into effect.
The latest development emerged during a meeting between UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, in Abuja.
Alshamsi visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of ongoing diplomatic engagements aimed at expanding economic and commercial relations between the two countries.
According to a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the UAE envoy said his country had already completed its ratification of the trade agreement.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria’s completion of its own domestic ratification process would create additional opportunities for businesses and investors on both sides.
The ambassador said the CEPA could significantly expand investment across areas such as manufacturing, services, energy and financial services.
For Nigeria, the agreement comes at a time when the government is seeking to broaden its international investment partnerships, expand non-oil economic activity and attract additional foreign capital.
The discussions also extended beyond trade and investment.
Alshamsi disclosed that consultations were underway with Nigerian authorities over the possibility of introducing direct Emirates Airline flights to Abuja.
Such a route could improve connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE, potentially supporting business travel, tourism and stronger commercial links.
The UAE has become an important destination and commercial hub for Nigerian businesses and investors, making improved air connectivity a potentially significant component of the wider economic relationship.
Enikanolaiye welcomed the strong growth in bilateral trade, particularly the expansion of economic activity outside the traditional oil sector.
He said the development was consistent with Nigeria’s broader economic diplomacy strategy and assured the UAE delegation that the Federal Government remained committed to moving the CEPA process forward.
The minister also called for the early convening of the Nigeria-UAE Joint Commission, which he said would provide an opportunity to address outstanding issues affecting bilateral economic cooperation.
For Nigeria, however, the ambition extends beyond simply increasing the volume of goods traded between both countries.
Enikanolaiye said the partnership should also promote investment, technology transfer and human capital development.
The minister identified artificial intelligence, digital technology and financial technology as areas where stronger collaboration with the UAE could deliver significant benefits for Nigeria.
He pointed to technical partnerships, knowledge sharing and capacity-building initiatives as potential ways of helping Nigerian young people acquire skills needed to compete in an increasingly digital global economy.
The emphasis on technology also reflects the changing nature of Nigeria-UAE economic relations, with both countries looking beyond conventional trade towards investment in emerging industries and knowledge-based sectors.
The rapid increase in trade provides momentum for the next stage of negotiations and implementation.
With bilateral trade already approaching $5 billion, the proposed CEPA could create a more structured framework for expanding market access, attracting investment and encouraging companies from both countries to establish deeper commercial relationships.
For Nigeria, greater UAE investment could support efforts to diversify government revenues and reduce the economy’s dependence on crude oil.
For the UAE, closer ties with Africa’s largest economy by population offer access to a large consumer market as well as opportunities across sectors including energy, financial services, technology, manufacturing and infrastructure.
Both governments are therefore expected to continue working through the remaining domestic procedures while strengthening the institutional mechanisms needed to implement the agreement.
If successfully concluded, the CEPA could mark a significant shift in Nigeria-UAE relations—from a strong trading relationship towards a broader partnership centred on investment, technology, connectivity and long-term economic growth.
