The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) on Wednesday renewed Nigeria’s drive to scale non-oil exports with the 7th edition of the NEPC Connect Webinar Series, focusing on opportunities in the United Arab Emirates market.

The Permanent Secretary of FMITI, Amb. Nura Abba Rimi, said the session titled Paving the Way for Nigerian Exporters in the UAE Market comes at a critical time as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to reduce dependence on oil revenue and strengthen export-led growth. He noted that the UAE remains a strategic gateway to the Gulf, Middle East and parts of Asia, and urged Nigerian exporters to position themselves to benefit from the market’s vast potential.

Rimi said that despite the remarkable growth in bilateral trade between Nigeria and the UAE over the last decade, the trade balance continues to favour the UAE. He added that bridging this gap requires Nigerian businesses to improve their global competitiveness through better standards, packaging, certification and strong ethical practices. He assured exporters of the government’s continued support in accessing international markets and promoting Made in Nigeria goods.

In her opening remarks, the Executive Director and Chief Executive of NEPC welcomed participants and described the event as one of the most impactful editions of the series. She said the NEPC Connect platform was designed to equip Nigerian exporters with the knowledge, tools and guidance needed to navigate global markets and scale their operations sustainably.

Highlighting trade figures, she said Nigeria exported goods valued at 27.6 million dollars to the UAE in 2024, while imports from the UAE stood at about 1.56 billion dollars. She said the wide gap underscores the need for more strategic interventions, expanded value chains and more informed market engagement.

She added that collaboration with Dubai Airport Free Zone and Dubai Chamber International represents a significant step toward unlocking opportunities for Nigerian exporters seeking entry into the Gulf region. According to her, the UAE offers strong logistics networks, high purchasing power and extensive re-export routes, making it a vital market for Nigerian products.

Earlier, representatives from key Nigerian agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, NAFDAC, SON and NITDA, outlined regulatory and statutory requirements that exporters must meet to succeed in the UAE and other international markets. They emphasised the need for compliance, accurate documentation and consistent adherence to global standards.

Officials from Dubai Airport Free Zone and Dubai Chamber International also provided insights into market behaviour, entry processes and opportunities available for Nigerian businesses within the UAE’s commercial ecosystem.

The NEPC chief encouraged exporters to make full use of the knowledge shared, ask questions and apply the insights to position their businesses for regional and global expansion. She reminded participants that recordings of all NEPC Connect sessions are available on the Council’s official YouTube channel to support continuous learning.

The meeting ended with a collective commitment from FMITI, NEPC, Nigerian regulatory agencies and UAE partners to deepen trade relations and support Nigerian exporters in accessing and thriving in the UAE market.