The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has reaffirmed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains a major investor and strategic trading partner to Nigeria, citing expanding bilateral agreements and stronger private-sector collaboration in critical sectors such as Artificial Intelligence and energy.
President of LCCI, Leye Kupoluyi, said the commercial relationship between Nigeria and the UAE has deepened in recent years, particularly following a series of government-to-government investment agreements and growing business engagements between companies in both countries.
Kupoluyi explained that although many of the high-profile agreements were executed at the federal government level, their impact would extend to the private sector, including members of the chamber and other organised business groups.
“LCCI has some Memoranda of Understanding with the 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 Chamber of Commerce and Industry organisations,” he said.
According to Kupoluyi, the partnerships have helped foster cooperation in trade facilitation, investment promotion, and emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, renewable energy, and digital innovation.
He, however, clarified that LCCI did not initiate the latest round of high-level trade agreements between Nigeria and the UAE, noting that such arrangements were strictly government-to-government engagements.
Kupoluyi stressed that despite this, the organised private sector stands to benefit significantly as improved diplomatic and economic ties create new channels for investment inflows, joint ventures, and market access for Nigerian businesses.
He expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between both governments and their respective chambers of commerce would further unlock opportunities, strengthen trade volumes, and enhance economic diversification efforts in Nigeria.
