Table of Contents
Key Points
- Ahonsi Unuigbe met with Dubai Financial Market leaders to strengthen NGX and NASDAQ Dubai cross-listing partnerships.
- Dubai’s capital markets offer Nigerian firms access to deeper funding, global visibility, and improved governance standards.
- Unuigbe’s push reflects a serious strategy to connect African companies with global capital, not symbolic, but structural.
Nigerian energy mogul Ahonsi Unuigbe is working to link Africa’s business landscape with the global financial system. His recent visit to the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) was more than a ceremonial trip, it was a practical step toward forging stronger investment ties between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
Forging market links beyond ceremony
Unuigbe, who chairs the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and leads Petralon Energy, met with senior DFM officials including CEO Hamed Ahmed Ali and Joel Tilly, associate vice president of business development for Africa. Their conversations focused on enhancing the agreement between NGX and NASDAQ Dubai. At the center of these talks was a shared goal: to create easier pathways for Nigerian companies, especially in energy, to list on both exchanges.
“The UAE presents a compelling case for African corporates, especially in the energy sector, with its advanced regulatory frameworks, deep capital markets, and strong sector expertise,” Unuigbe said. “At NGX, we are committed to leveraging these cross-border synergies to drive real value for both markets.”
Dubai markets offer deep capital access
Dubai has spent years reshaping its capital markets to support long-term investment. Through DFM and NASDAQ Dubai, the city has developed a system that not only welcomes initial public offerings but supports companies well beyond their listing. These exchanges, with a combined market value of more than $1 trillion, are now positioned as global platforms with more capital than deals to fund, an opportunity African firms could use to their advantage.
For Nigerian businesses, the appeal is straightforward. Access to deeper capital pools, better governance standards, and global visibility can be game-changing, especially in an environment where raising long-term funds at fair rates is a constant struggle. Unuigbe’s push isn’t about symbolic alignment. It’s about unlocking practical opportunities for African firms to raise funds and scale operations internationally.
Unuigbe also added, “By bridging the information and access gap between Nigerian enterprises and international markets, we are laying the foundation for a stronger economic growth, investor participation, and long-term value creation”.
Still, success won’t come automatically. Both sides acknowledged that smoother regulatory and diplomatic coordination between Nigeria and the UAE will be critical. Without that, progress could stall. But Unuigbe’s visit underscored a deeper commitment. He wasn’t there simply as NGX chairman. He came as a business leader with firsthand knowledge of what it takes to build and sustain a company in tough markets.
Bridging Nigeria and global finance
At Petralon Energy, where Ahonsi Unuigbe serves as CEO, the Nigerian energy mogul has steadily grown the company into a respected operator in oil and gas. Known for taking calculated risks and forming smart partnerships, Petralon has earned a reputation for stability and strategic thinking, qualities that have become even more important in today’s volatile energy landscape.
Unuigbe’s path began in investment banking, where he developed a deep understanding of markets, risk, and long-term planning. That background now informs every part of his work. Beyond Petralon, his portfolio includes Prime Oil & Gas Coöperatief UA, BTF Oil & Gas, and a significant stake in Canada’s Africa Oil Corp., which operates across the continent. Together, these ventures place him among Nigeria’s most successful and influential business figures.
Track record anchored in real growth
Ahonsi Unuigbe’s leadership has earned recognition. In 2009, he was named a Desmond Tutu Fellow by the African Leadership Institute, joining a group of leaders selected for their contributions to the continent’s development. But awards are just part of the story. What defines Unuigbe’s work is a consistent effort to link African enterprise with global opportunity, through policy, capital, and partnerships that deliver results.
As chairman of NGX, he is navigating a difficult economic climate while pushing for reforms, better oversight, and improved access to capital for Nigerian businesses. He has made it clear that opening new doors for African companies means engaging seriously with global standards, not just in theory, but in action.
For Dubai, Unuigbe’s visit signals a readiness from African markets to be part of the broader financial conversation. And for Nigeria, it’s a reminder of what’s possible when experienced professionals lead with clarity and purpose. In a world where investors are increasingly looking at emerging markets for growth, Unuigbe is making sure African companies are not left out. They’re not waiting for permission. They’re ready to take their place, and compete on fair terms.
