AD Ports Group has taken a significant step in strengthening maritime, logistics and trade cooperation with Nigeria following a high-level engagement between its leadership and the Nigerian government.
The initiative underscores Nigeria’s growing importance as a strategic maritime and trade hub in Africa and reflects deepening economic ties between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
AD Ports Group Managing Director and Group CEO, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, recently met with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to discuss future cooperation and advance strategic collaboration across trade, maritime, shipping and logistics sectors.
Building on this engagement, AD Ports Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy of Nigeria to explore wide-ranging collaboration opportunities.
The MoU was signed by Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director & Group CEO of AD Ports Group. It establishes a structured framework to assess investment and development opportunities across Nigeria’s ports and broader maritime ecosystem, including logistics services, economic and free zones, and digital trade platforms.
Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest economy and one of the continent’s leading maritime gateways makes it a natural partner for AD Ports Group’s integrated trade, industry, and logistics solutions. The country’s extensive coastline, major port infrastructure and expanding regional and international trade flows further enhance its attractiveness as a long-term investment destination.
Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said, “This MoU represents an important step in advancing Nigeria’s Marine and Blue economy agenda. By partnering with an internationally experienced group such as AD Ports Group, we aim to explore opportunities that can strengthen port efficiency, logistics connectivity, maritime services, and digital trade infrastructure, while supporting sustainable economic growth and positioning Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in Africa.”
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director & Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said, “Nigeria is a cornerstone of Africa’s maritime and trade landscape, with significant potential across the ports and logistics sectors. This MoU reflects our shared ambition to explore long-term, sustainable development opportunities that support Nigeria’s economic growth, trade competitiveness, and job creation, in line with the directives of our wise leadership. AD Ports Group brings international expertise across integrated ports, logistics, maritime services, and digital trade solutions, and we look forward to working closely with our Nigerian partners as we assess areas of mutual interest.”
The agreement also aligns with AD Ports Group’s broader African expansion strategy. The group already has ports, logistics and maritime investments in Egypt, Tanzania, Angola, and the Republic of Congo, supporting regional trade integration and long-term economic development across the continent.
Notably, the MoU follows the recent signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Nigeria, signalling a new phase of intensified trade and investment relations between the two nations. CEPA is expected to reduce tariffs, remove trade barriers and unlock new opportunities in key sectors including technology, agriculture, precious metals, and energy.
The agreement will also strengthen supply chains, enhance public and private sector cooperation, and empower small and medium-sized enterprises to compete more effectively in global markets.
Bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and Nigeria reached US$4.3 billion in 2024, representing a 55.3 percent year-on-year increase compared to 2023. This strong growth highlights the momentum behind the partnership and reinforces confidence in long-term economic collaboration.
According to BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, Nigeria’s real GDP growth is projected to accelerate from 4.1% in 2025 to 4.3% in 2026, marking the fastest expansion in four years.
This positive outlook positions Nigeria among the fastest-growing economies in Sub-Saharan Africa and further strengthens the case for strategic investments across its ports, logistics and maritime sectors.