Billionaire Abdul Samad Rabiu's BUA Signs Major UAE Port Deal to Boost Sugar and Trade Links

Nigeria’s BUA Group has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with UAE-based AD Ports Group and MAIR Group in Abu Dhabi, marking a new step in growing trade and industrial ties between the two countries.

President Bola Tinubu welcomed the agreement, describing it as a major outcome of renewed economic engagement between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.

The signing comes weeks after both countries concluded a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, investment and infrastructure. The president said the latest deal reflects the practical benefits of closer diplomatic and commercial ties.

The agreement will see the three companies work together on sugar refining, agro industrial projects and global logistics. Part of the plan is to set up sugar processing and modern logistics facilities at Khalifa Port in the UAE, strengthening trade links across regions.
The project is expected to support food security, boost value addition and improve supply chain resilience, while also strengthening structured trade flows between West Africa, the Gulf region and Asia.

Tinubu said the partnership aligns with his administration’s focus on using diplomacy to unlock economic opportunities.

He commended BUA Group Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu and his team for positioning a Nigerian company at the centre of a cross border industrial initiative.

According to the president, the government will continue to pursue international partnerships that attract investment, expand exports and strengthen Nigerian enterprise.

The agreement signals growing momentum in Nigeria–UAE economic relations as both sides look to deepen trade links and industrial cooperation.