UAE and Nigeria... promising economic prospects

H.E. Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Executive Chairman of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)

Sharjah and Nigeria have enjoyed a longstanding friendship, especially with a wide range of Sharjah-based companies looking to Nigerian markets as a key and strategic gateway access to expanding their operations and businesses into Africa. The two parties are keen on furthering this dynamic relationship, especially as Sharjah continues to serve as a strategic gateway for Nigerian companies to regional and global markets through its three strategically located seaports and six fully serviced freezones.

Sharjah’s diverse economy and robust infrastructure has helped Nigerian investors and businesses to grow and expand in our region. At the same time, Nigeria has enabled Emirati companies and investors to unlock Africa’s true business potential, especially given that the nation is home to one of the continent’s largest customer bases, in addition to varied investment opportunities in energy and healthcare.

While Sharjah is already home to 109 Nigerian companies in different sectors, we look forward to attracting more businesses and investment inflow and boost trade, which stood at AED 94.8 million (USD 25,8) in 2020. This drives home the message that the business communities in both Sharjah and Nigeria see the potential in each other, and are committed to working together to further shared economic interests.