Manny Ita
Lagos will host the Investopia Global Investment Conference on February 2, 2026, following an announcement by President Bola Tinubu on January 13, 2026, during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, marking the first time the United Arab Emirates’ flagship investment platform will convene a major summit of this scale in Africa. The conference is scheduled to take place at the Eko Convention Centre, with satellite events planned for Eko Atlantic City, and will be jointly hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of the UAE.
The summit is intended to function as a strategic “bridge” between Gulf capital and African opportunities, with officials stating that the focus will be on moving beyond “memorandums of understanding” to deliver “bankable, concrete investments.” Organisers said discussions and deal-making sessions will centre on sectors of the New Economy, including renewable energy, fintech, digital infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture and healthcare, and will convene more than 1,000 participants, including sovereign wealth fund managers, private equity executives, technology innovators and senior policymakers from over 20 countries.
The announcement came alongside a broader diplomatic breakthrough, as Nigeria and the UAE on the same day signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement described as the “crown jewel” of bilateral engagements. Under the agreement, the UAE will immediately eliminate tariffs on more than 7,000 Nigerian export products, while talks also advanced on a visa framework to grant Nigerian executives and specialists renewable three-year visas to support trade and investment flows. President Tinubu said the initiatives form part of Nigeria’s drive to mobilise $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance.
Officials said Investopia Lagos is expected to serve as a “litmus test” for Nigeria’s economic reforms in 2026, at a time when non-oil exports have grown by 21 percent and the Federal Government reports over $50 billion in investment commitments. The conference is expected to reinforce Lagos’ role as Nigeria’s commercial hub and strengthen the country’s position as a key gateway for investment into West Africa.
