Nigeria is positioning itself as a gateway to Africa’s $1tn commodities market, targeting $400 bn in opportunities across agriculture, energy, gold, and lithium through strategic partnerships between the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange and the United Arab Emirates.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the UAE Ambassador, Salem Al Jaberi, LCFE Managing Director Akin Akeredolu-Ale said the collaboration will advance lithium processing, livestock development, food security, and commodities trading while leveraging private-sector-led initiatives to drive efficiency, capital formation, and infrastructure delivery.

He cited projects such as the Second Niger Bridge and Sukuk-backed road networks as examples of structured private investments that deliver measurable outcomes.

The Exchange is expanding its ecosystem of dealing member firms and commodity brokers while promoting gold trading through LBMA-standard bars stored in Free Trade Zones, offering tariff-free access for institutional investors, including pension funds.

Akeredolu-Ale added that LCFE is increasing involvement in large-scale rice production, livestock and fodder development, and the production of export-ready organic produce. Memoranda of understanding have been signed with several state governments, while the UAE has been granted the first right of refusal on commodity exports.

In the energy sector, he said reforms decentralising electricity generation have created private investment opportunities in metering, revenue collection, and infrastructure optimisation.

Also speaking, the Director-General of AIM Congress, Walid Farghal, called for greater participation by entrepreneurs and youth in the commodities market, emphasising the role of digitisation, tokenisation, and strategic promotion in attracting global investors.

“These initiatives demonstrate LCFE’s commitment to leveraging private-sector partnerships to drive inclusive growth, deepen Nigeria’s commodities markets, and strengthen the country’s position as a hub for Africa’s rapidly expanding commodity economy,” he said.