Trade between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reached a new milestone, with non-oil trade volumes hitting $4.3 billion in 2024,the highest ever recorded between the two countries.
The disclosure came from UAE Consul-General in Lagos, Salem Al Jaberi, during an official interaction with postgraduate students from the Department of Diplomacy and Strategic Studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG). The visit formed part of the students’ practical diplomatic training and offered a firsthand glimpse into the UAE’s foreign policy and investment strategies in Africa.
Al Jaberi, while speaking at the Consulate in Lagos, described Africa as a prime investment destination, noting that the UAE was rated second-highest in foreign direct investment (FDI) across the continent in 2024.
“Trade relations between the UAE and Nigeria reached $4.3 billion in non-oil commodities last year. But there is potential for much more if we strengthen partnerships at all levels,” he said.
He noted that the UAE Consulate in Lagos was the first of its kind established on the African continent, a reflection of the country’s strategic relationship with Nigeria, especially as Lagos serves as the nation’s economic capital.
Al Jaberi also highlighted that the UAE ranked among Nigeria’s top five trading partners in the second quarter of 2025, underscoring the importance of ongoing cooperation between both nations.
“Our role here is to facilitate market access for UAE investments in Nigeria. This happens through various engagement models: business-to-business, business-to-government, and government-to-government collaborations,” he explained.
He further expressed optimism that Nigeria would soon join a growing list of countries with which the UAE has signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs). Currently, 11 countries, including Kenya and India, have inked similar agreements aimed at deepening trade integration.
The visit was led by Henry Ogunjewo, an Associate Professor at UNILAG’s Department of Diplomacy and Strategic Studies, who described the engagement as “a valuable real-world extension of classroom theories.”
“Our students are being equipped not just with theoretical knowledge of international relations, but with direct insights into bilateral diplomacy, trade relations, and strategic foreign policy,” Ogunjewo said.
He praised the UAE for its investment, humanitarian efforts, and cultural diplomacy in Africa, urging greater public awareness of the country’s development initiatives across the continent.
“The UAE has done laudable work in Africa but it has remained relatively conservative in showcasing it. Strengthening ties between the Consulate and academic institutions could lead to mutual learning and a better understanding of UAE’s regional role,” he added.
Representing the student delegation, Chizoba Benson expressed appreciation to the UAE Consulate for hosting the session and described it as “an inspiring step” toward building careers in diplomacy.
“We hope this is the beginning of more collaborations between Nigerian students and the UAE, especially in research, training, and international engagement,” she said.
According to data from UN COMTRADE, trade between Nigeria and the UAE in 2023 showed a slight imbalance, with the UAE exporting $1.42 billion worth of goods to Nigeria — mainly vehicles, electrical equipment, and industrial machinery.
In contrast, Nigeria exported around $1.32 billion, with top categories including precious stones, metals, mineral fuels, and oil-related products.
The imbalance highlights structural gaps in Nigeria’s trade profile notably, its heavy dependence on raw material exports, versus the UAE’s strength in value-added manufacturing and logistics.
Analysts suggest that policy reforms to enhance value addition, expand export diversification, and negotiate stronger bilateral agreements could help bridge the gap and unlock even greater trade potential.
About the Author
