Business
Nigeria Signs Strategic CEPA with UAE to Boost Trade
Nigeria signs a historic CEPA with UAE to deepen trade, investment, and renewable energy cooperation, opening new opportunities for businesses
Nigeria on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who announced the agreement, said it was designed to deepen bilateral cooperation in renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, aviation, and digital trade.
The signing ceremony was attended by President Tinubu; UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; and UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
Describing the CEPA as “historic and strategic,” Tinubu said it would create enduring opportunities for people and businesses in both countries while supporting climate-smart infrastructure and sustainable industrial growth.
He also disclosed that Nigeria would co-host Investopia with the UAE in Lagos in February 2026, a global investment forum aimed at accelerating sustainable financing inflows.
President Tinubu outlined Nigeria’s plan to mobilise up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance, backed by the National Carbon Market Activation Policy and the National Carbon Registry.
He highlighted ongoing energy reforms, including the Electricity Act 2023, and initiatives such as a $500 million distributed renewable energy fund and a $750 million World Bank programme to expand clean electricity access to 17.5 million Nigerians.
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole explained that CEPA would eliminate tariffs on more than 7,000 Nigerian products entering the UAE, including fish, oil seeds, cotton, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, with further industrial goods phased over three to five years.
The agreement also facilitates Nigerian business operations in the UAE, allowing corporate entities, managers, and executives to relocate for renewable three-year periods.
Oduwole emphasised that CEPA would attract foreign investment, support industrialisation, strengthen transport and logistics, and create quality jobs for Nigeria’s youthful population.
She stressed that swift implementation would be facilitated by key federal agencies including the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Nigeria Customs Service, and Standards Organisation of Nigeria.
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Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s target of net-zero emissions by 2060 while pursuing industrial growth and universal energy access, describing the agreement as a “fundamental step in securing shared prosperity for Nigeria, Africa, and the world.”
The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has dismissed allegations that it appropriated the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) brand, insisting it lawfully obtained trademark acceptance for the name and will proceed with its 2026 summit as scheduled.
In a statement issued on September 12, 2026, the chamber described claims by Kunle Nwiwa Junior as “cheap blackmail, misleading, mischievous and a misrepresentation of the facts,” maintaining that it independently developed the summit and followed all required regulatory procedures.
According to NDCCITMA, it applied for and received a Trademark Acceptance Letter for the name Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) in August 2025 under File No. NG/TM/O/2025/387284.
The chamber said the chronology of events contradicts allegations that it copied another party’s application, arguing that its trademark acceptance predated the period during which Nwiwa’s own application was reportedly still pending before the relevant authorities.
“Economic Summit” is a generic expression
NDCCITMA further argued that the phrase “Economic Summit” is a generic description widely used for conferences that bring together governments, investors, businesses, development institutions and other stakeholders to discuss investment and economic development.
The chamber maintained that while concepts may be widely used, legal protection only arises from recognised intellectual property rights, including duly registered trademarks and other enforceable proprietary interests.
It therefore rejected suggestions that any individual or organisation has exclusive ownership of the broader concept of an economic summit.
Court grants interim injunction
Addressing reports that the summit had been halted, NDCCITMA said the dispute is already before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and that there is no court order restraining the event.
The chamber disclosed that in Suit No. FHC/PHC/CS/57/2026, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants—Kunle Nwiwa Junior and Keneva Consult Ltd.—from interfering with the planned summit.
According to NDCCITMA, the court also directed the defendants to remove publications, notices, petitions, social media posts and other statements allegedly considered damaging to the chamber’s name, integrity and reputation pending the hearing of its motion for interlocutory injunction.
The matter has been adjourned until September 22, 2026 for further hearing.
Chamber rejects ₦500 million demand claim
NDCCITMA also alleged that it had received a demand from Nwiwa Junior requesting ₦500 million as a condition for abandoning his claims over the summit.
The chamber said the demand was rejected, adding that it subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what it described as repeated harassment and threats directed at its officials.
It said the petition sought police intervention, including inviting the complainant for questioning and caution where necessary.
Summit opens September 15
Despite the legal dispute, NDCCITMA reaffirmed that the 2026 Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit will hold from September 15 to 17, 2026, at the Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The summit will be held under the theme “Driving Investment, Innovation & Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta” and is expected to bring together policymakers, investors, business leaders, development partners and industry stakeholders to discuss economic transformation across the region.
The chamber said it remains committed to promoting commerce, industry, trade, mining, agriculture and sustainable economic development throughout the Niger Delta while allowing the courts to determine all outstanding legal issues.
Tinubu Niger Delta summit opens in Port Harcourt as investors and policymakers gather to drive investment, innovation and industrial growth
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