LCCI lauds stronger UAE investment, AI collaboration with Nigeria
Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said United Arab Emirates remains a key investor and major trading partner to Nigeria, pointing to government-to-government agreements and stronger private-sector collaboration, especially
Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said United Arab Emirates remains a key investor and major trading partner to Nigeria, pointing to government-to-government agreements and stronger private-sector collaboration, especially in Artificial Intelligence energy, and others.
President of LCCI, Leye Kupoluyi, noted the expanding commercial relationship following UAE–Nigeria investment agreements and increased business cooperation between the two nations.
Kupoluyi noted that although many of the agreements were executed at government level between Nigeria and UAE, their benefits would extend to the private sector through LCCI, and others.
He said: “LCCI has some MOUs with UAE, but it’s mainly between their chamber of commerce there. We have engaged with Dubai International Chamber of Commerce and worked with some of Abu Dhabi organisations.”
Kupoluyi clarified that LCCI was not responsible for initiating the latest high-profile trade agreements, as they were government-to-government arrangements.
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He said: “While we have a MOUs, the recent one appears to be between governments. I think the one with Federal Government is a government-to-government agreement. UAE had entered multiple government-to-government agreements. But we have a Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry MOU with Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and we have one with Abu Dhabi.”
“UAE–Nigeria relationship is defined by shared priorities: resilient trade, strategic infrastructure, and innovation-driven growth,” said Sultan Al Shamsi, assistant minister of Foreign Affairs for International Development.
He added: “Non-oil trade between our countries reached $4.3 billion in 2024, while approximately $3.1 billion was recorded in the first nine months of 2025, reflecting strong commercial exchange and deepening private-sector engagement in logistics, agriculture, and digital services.
“Our $1 billion AI for Development Initiative, to strengthen digital infrastructure in Africa, with Nigeria as key partner, underscores our commitment to building long future-ready cooperation. We see Nigeria as a major economy to lead in shaping Africa’s next phase of growth.”
