AD Ports group strengthens strategic ties with Nigeria

AD Ports Group is expanding its strategic footprint in Africa with a new partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime and trade sectors

In a high-level meeting attended by his excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, advisor, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, managing director and group CEO of AD Ports Group, discussed opportunities to enhance trade, shipping, logistics, and port operations across Nigeria.

Following the discussions, AD Ports Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. The agreement establishes a framework to explore collaborative investment and development initiatives in ports, logistics services, maritime operations, and digital trade platforms, reflecting a shared vision for modernising Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem and boosting regional and international trade connectivity.

The MoU was officially signed by Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of Marine and Blue Economy of Nigeria, and captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi.

Speaking on the occasion, minister Oyetola 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. "

" Nigeria is a cornerstone of Africa’s maritime and trade landscape, with significant potential across the ports and logistics sectors," commented captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi.

"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 MoU comes at a time of growing significance for Nigeria’s ports and maritime sector. AD Ports Group already maintains investments in Egypt, Tanzania, Angola, and the Republic of the Congo, contributing to trade integration and economic development across Africa.

The agreement also aligns with the recently signed UAE–Nigeria Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which aims to reduce tariffs, remove trade barriers, and encourage investment in sectors such as technology, agriculture, energy, and logistics. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Nigeria reached US$4.3bn in 2024, a 55.3% increase compared to 2023, highlighting the expanding economic ties between the two nations.

According to BMI, Nigeria’s real GDP growth is projected to rise from 4.1% in 2025 to 4.3% in 2026, marking the fastest expansion in four years. This sustained growth reinforces Nigeria’s position as one of sub-Saharan Africa’s fastest-growing economies and underscores the country’s attractiveness for strategic investments in ports, logistics, and maritime infrastructure.