Nigerian business leaders target Emirati investment in SMEs
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Nigerian business leaders cite manufacturing, renewable energy and agro-industry as sectors with strong potential for Emirati investment. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, capital imported from the Emirates rose by 87.8% in 2025, to $728.81 million.
Nigerian business leaders believe manufacturing, renewable energy, agriculture and agro-food processing could benefit from increased investment from the United Arab Emirates, Punch reports. The Emirates invested $71.32 billion in sub-Saharan Africa between 2021 and 2025.
Capital imports by Nigeria from this Gulf country rose by 87.8% in 2025, to $728.81 million from $388.01 million in 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Professor Adesoji Adesugba, first vice-president of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, cites energy, with gas to be developed and unmet demand for electricity, as well as agricultural sectors such as sesame, cashew, soya and livestock farming. He also mentions gold and precious stones, part of whose artisanal production already transits through Dubai.
For small businesses, Femi Egbesola, president of the Small Business Owners Association of Nigeria, believes Emirati investment would have the greatest impact in manufacturing, renewable energy, agriculture, logistics and digital technology.
This debate echoes Lagos's approach, which aims to attract investors to production.
