AD Ports inks co-operation deal with Nigeria on ports, logistics

20/01/2026 05:51 AST

AD Ports Group has announced that it has signed an agreement with Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to explore cooperation in ports, logistics, maritime services and digital trade infrastructure.

The agreement follows a meeting between AD Ports Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on potential future cooperation in trade, shipping and logistics.

The MoU was signed by Nigeria's Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and Al Shamisi. It sets out a framework to assess investment and development opportunities across Nigeria's ports and wider maritime ecosystem, including logistics services, economic and free zones, and digital trade platforms.

Nigeria is Africa's largest economy and one of the continent's key maritime and trade hubs, with an extensive coastline and major port infrastructure.

"This MoU represents an important step in advancing Nigeria's marine and blue economy agenda," stated Oyetola, adding that the partnership could help improve port efficiency, logistics connectivity, maritime services and digital trade infrastructure.

The MoU follows the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed recently between the UAE and Nigeria, aimed at reducing tariffs, removing trade barriers and boosting bilateral investment.

Non-oil trade between the UAE and Nigeria reached $4.3 billion in 2024, up 55.3% from the previous year, according to official data.

Al Shamisi said Nigeria was central to Africa's maritime and trade landscape and that the agreement reflected a shared ambition to explore long-term development opportunities supporting economic growth, trade competitiveness and job creation.

AD Ports Group has expanded its presence across Africa in recent years, with ports, logistics and maritime investments in countries including Egypt, Tanzania, Angola and the Republic of the Congo, he added.

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