Lagos: Investopia launched the Investopia - Africa event as part of the Investopia Global Talks at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. Organised in cooperation with SkyKapital and Eko Atlantic, the event contributed to strengthening economic and investment partnerships between the UAE and Nigeria across the new economy, finance and investment, infrastructure, logistics, trade, energy, renewable energy, technology, and biotechnology.
According to Emirates News Agency, Investopia - Africa was attended by Mohamed bin Hassan Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment; Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment of Nigeria; Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment; and Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority. More than 300 participants attended the event, including ministers, government officials, businessmen, investors, economic experts, and representatives of leading private-sector companies and institutions, as well as major banks from the UAE and Nigeria, including EDGE, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Citigroup, Digital Energy, FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development, the African Finance Corporation, the West African Development Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, and McKinsey.
Al Suwaidi remarked on the robust economic relations between the UAE and Nigeria, which have developed into a multifaceted partnership over the past decade, contributing to increased bilateral investments across various sectors. He emphasized the commitment of both countries to economic diversification, highlighting the UAE's role as one of Africa's leading investment partners, with investments surpassing US$110 billion between 2019 and 2023.
Alhawi noted the UAE's role as a top FDI destination and its ongoing efforts to enhance its investment environment, encouraging investors from Nigeria and African markets to explore opportunities within the UAE. He highlighted the UAE's advanced infrastructure and global connectivity, reinforcing its standing as a strategic platform for companies to expand regionally and globally.
Investopia - Africa featured five panel sessions, including a ministerial session titled 'A Strategic Partnership for Growth: Deepening UAE-Nigeria Economic Cooperation.' The session explored opportunities to strengthen economic and investment partnerships and discussed the significance of expanding collaboration in various sectors.
Further sessions included discussions on infrastructure and logistics for Africa's trade, mobilizing capital for Africa's growth, enabling financial systems for investment, and securing supply chains for critical technologies. These sessions featured prominent figures from both regions, focusing on collaborative approaches to economic growth and development.
The event also hosted B2B meetings and roundtables aimed at enhancing engagement between the Emirati and African business communities, encouraging strategic projects in emerging and sustainable economy sectors. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Digital Energy and FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development to enhance cooperation in energy transition and operational efficiency.
Investopia Talks - Africa builds on the global reach of the Investopia Global Talks series, which has been hosted in over 21 cities worldwide so far.
