January 13, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, showcased Nigeria’s wide-ranging economic and energy reforms to global investors at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), declaring the nation ready for strategic partnerships that drive sustainable growth.
Delivering Nigeria’s national statement at the summit, themed “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” the President emphasized that climate action is a powerful development opportunity to accelerate industrialization and job creation.
In a landmark diplomatic breakthrough, President Tinubu and UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the formal signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The agreement is designed to eliminate trade barriers, encourage tariff-free trade in goods and services, and secure reciprocal protection for enterprises.
This historic pact opens new horizons for Nigerian exports—particularly in agriculture and solid minerals—while positioning Nigeria as a strategic gateway for UAE investments into West Africa.
The President highlighted several key financial initiatives intended to bridge the gap between climate ambition and action. He unveiled a Climate and Green Industrialization Investment Playbook, which aims to unlock between $25 billion and $30 billion in annual climate finance.
He also noted that the National Climate Change Fund is targeting a $2 billion capitalization to back decarbonization projects, while the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has established a $500 million Distributed Renewable Energy Fund.
On the domestic front, the President reported significant success with green finance.
He noted that Nigeria’s ₦50 billion Sovereign Green Bond issued in 2025 was oversubscribed, attracting ₦91 billion in subscriptions, while the Lagos State Green Bond saw similar investor enthusiasm.
These funds are being channeled into the Electricity Act 2023 framework, which decentralizes power delivery to underserved rural communities and healthcare facilities.
Further expanding the Nigeria-UAE partnership, Tinubu announced that Nigeria will co-host the UAE’s premier investment platform, the Investopia Summit, in Lagos on February 2, 2026.
This marks the first time the global event will be held on the African continent. Reassuring the international community, the President stated that non-oil exports have grown by 21% following recent reforms, with total investment commitments exceeding $50 billion across key sectors.
“Nigeria is ready for business,” the President declared, inviting the world to work with Africa’s most populous nation to build a future that is green, inclusive, and enduring.
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