President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria following his participation in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026), where his administration signed a landmark economic partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and advanced plans to attract billions of dollars in green finance and foreign investment.
The President arrived in Abuja on Saturday after attending the global summit, which held from January 11 to 15, bringing together world leaders, investors and policymakers to accelerate sustainable development and address climate and energy challenges.
The 2026 edition of ADSW, themed “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” focused on integrated approaches to climate finance, energy transition, technology and infrastructure development.
On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at deepening bilateral trade, boosting investment flows and expanding cooperation across strategic sectors, including renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, logistics and digital commerce.
Officials said the agreement is expected to eliminate tariffs on thousands of goods, enhance technology transfer and open new opportunities for exporters and investors in both countries.
Addressing delegates at the summit, Tinubu described the pact as a “historic and strategic milestone” in Nigeria’s economic diplomacy, signalling a strengthening of ties with a key Middle Eastern partner.
He said the agreement would reinforce Nigeria’s position as a gateway for foreign investment into Africa and support the country’s drive for economic diversification and industrial growth beyond oil.
A major highlight of Tinubu’s engagements in Abu Dhabi was the announcement that Nigeria and the UAE will co-host Investopia, a global investment forum, in Lagos this February.
Investopia, established by the UAE, serves as a platform to connect investors, innovators and policymakers, with a focus on converting ideas into actionable projects and mobilising capital for sustainable development.
The President also disclosed that Nigeria is targeting up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance to support energy transition reforms and expand electricity access nationwide – key pillars of his administration’s development agenda.
