President Bola Tinubu has announced that Nigeria will jointly host Investopia with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Lagos in February, as part of renewed efforts to attract global investors and drive sustainable economic growth.
The president made the disclosure on Tuesday while addressing participants at the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) in the UAE.
The announcement came on the sidelines of the event, where Nigeria and the UAE also concluded a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking a significant milestone in bilateral economic relations between both countries.
According to President Tinubu, the decision to co-host Investopia underscores Nigeria’s determination to position itself as a leading investment destination in Africa.
He explained that the platform would convene global investors, innovators, policymakers and business leaders with the aim of converting viable ideas into concrete investments and long-term commitments.
The president described the CEPA as a historic and strategic pact that would deepen cooperation between Nigeria and the UAE in key sectors, including renewable energy, infrastructure development, logistics, aviation, agriculture and digital trade.
He noted that the agreement would unlock new opportunities for businesses and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
Tinubu invited international partners to participate actively in Nigeria’s development journey, stressing that the country is open to collaborations that promote shared and sustainable prosperity, not only for Nigeria but also for Africa and the global economy.
Addressing energy transition and climate financing, the president revealed that Nigeria is targeting the mobilisation of up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance.
He said this ambition aligned with ongoing reforms in the energy sector and efforts to expand electricity access nationwide.
He emphasised that reliable electricity remained the backbone of modern economies and acknowledged the challenge facing developing countries in balancing industrial growth with environmental sustainability.
Tinubu called for reforms in the global financial system, urging a move away from rigid sovereign guarantee requirements that often limit access to capital for developing economies.
Instead, he advocated the use of blended finance models and first-loss capital structures to enable private investment to flow directly into green projects without overburdening national finances.
The president also disclosed that Nigeria had strengthened its climate governance framework through the adoption of a National Carbon Market Activation Policy and the establishment of a National Carbon Registry.
He said these initiatives were designed to enhance transparency, boost investor confidence and support the country’s climate objectives.
Highlighting recent reforms, Tinubu identified the Electricity Act 2023 as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy transformation, noting that it allows decentralised power generation and distribution, particularly to underserved communities.
He also pointed to a $500 million distributed renewable energy fund supported by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, alongside a $750 million World Bank programme expected to provide clean electricity access to over 17.5 million Nigerians.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 under its Energy Transition Plan, the president said the country would pursue climate goals alongside industrial expansion and universal energy access.
Tinubu also invited foreign investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s lithium and critical minerals sector, stressing that government policy prioritises local processing and value addition to maximise economic benefits.
He noted that ongoing economic reforms were beginning to yield positive results, citing a 21 per cent increase in non-oil exports, rising capital inflows and over $50 billion in investment commitments across strategic sectors.
The president assured global partners that Nigeria was ready to work collaboratively to ensure that future development is inclusive, environmentally sustainable and economically resilient.
