Tinubu invites BRICS investors to Nigeria, highlights huge market opportunities

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for stronger cooperation between Nigeria and BRICS countries, saying Nigeria is well positioned to serve as a gateway to Africa’s growing market under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Tinubu made the call on Sunday at the ongoing 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India. He was represented at the summit by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The President also called for reforms to global governance structures and international financial institutions to make them more representative and responsive to current economic and population realities.

“Nigeria supports a more representative, equitable and responsive global governance architecture, including reform of the United Nations Security Council and the international financial system,” Tinubu said in a statement issued by the spokesman of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.

He said BRICS had helped to strengthen the voice of developing countries and promote a more inclusive global system.

Tinubu said Nigeria wanted BRICS cooperation to move beyond discussions and commitments to practical projects that would produce measurable results.

He also used the opportunity to invite investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria, urging them to see the country as a gateway to Africa’s expanding market.

According to him, Nigeria’s economic resilience means building an economy that can withstand global shocks while creating sustainable opportunities for its citizens.

He said this was part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on improving economic stability, diversifying production, increasing productivity, developing infrastructure and human capital, attracting investment and promoting private sector growth.

Tinubu said Nigeria was interested in deeper cooperation with BRICS in areas including trade, agriculture, food security, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare and critical minerals.

He said such partnerships should promote technology transfer, local production, industrial development and job creation.

The President described Nigeria’s young population as one of the country’s biggest strengths, noting that the creativity and enterprise of young Nigerians were helping to drive innovation.

He identified digital skills, entrepreneurship, research, artificial intelligence and technology based businesses as important areas for investment.

Tinubu also called for stronger cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, fintech, telecommunications, cybersecurity, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.

He said developing countries must not only use technology but also produce it, create knowledge and own intellectual property.

“A nation that owns no technology risks renting its future,” he said.

The President said Nigeria also wanted BRICS partnerships in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, healthcare, education and industrialisation, supported by development financing.

He said projects aimed at expanding broadband, fibre networks and digital public services would help Nigeria build a more open, secure and inclusive digital economy.

Tinubu further called for affordable climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building for African countries.

He said Nigeria was ready to cooperate with BRICS countries on renewable energy, gas, clean technologies, climate smart agriculture, sustainable infrastructure and responsible development of critical minerals.

He added that Nigeria wanted partnerships that would create jobs, increase trade, transfer technology and strengthen the productive capacity of African countries.

Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while opening the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, said confidence in BRICS had increased among countries of the Global South because their voices were being heard and their experiences respected.

Modi said the strength of BRICS was based on diversity and cooperation.

He also highlighted initiatives aimed at promoting skills, employment, business development and knowledge sharing among member and partner countries.

The Indian leader stressed the importance of balancing economic development with environmental protection, saying sustainability must remain central to BRICS cooperation.