By Agrobroadcast Team
A new cross-border alliance between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates is set to reshape sugar processing and agro-industrial trade flows, following the signing of a strategic agreement involving BUA Group, AD Ports Group and MAIR Group.
The three organisations formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at exploring joint investments in sugar refining, agro-industrial development and integrated global logistics.
The partners said the framework would establish a coordinated production and export platform linking West Africa to key markets in the Gulf, Asia and beyond.
In a statement, BUA noted that the collaboration is designed to strengthen food security systems, accelerate industrial diversification and reinforce Abu Dhabi’s standing as a trade and manufacturing hub.
Central to the arrangement is the utilisation of infrastructure at Khalifa Port, alongside BUA’s industrial footprint and AD Ports Group’s maritime and logistics capabilities.
The initiative aligns with the UAE’s long-term food resilience blueprint under the UAE Food Security Strategy 2051, which seeks to build sustainable supply chains and position the country as a leader in advanced food production systems.
It also dovetails with Nigeria’s agricultural transformation drive focused on expanding domestic processing capacity, boosting value addition and improving export logistics.Under the proposed structure, the parties will explore structured commodity aggregation, modern processing facilities, storage solutions and dedicated maritime export channels.
These measures are expected to address inefficiencies across supply chains, enhance product traceability and quality assurance, and create a more predictable trade corridor between West Africa and the Gulf region.
BUA Group, one of Africa’s largest diversified conglomerates with significant interests in sugar refining, flour milling, cement manufacturing and infrastructure, is expected to anchor the industrial component of the partnership.
MAIR Group will provide strategic advisory and investment support in developing integrated agro-industrial and logistics solutions.
Speaking on the agreement, BUA Group Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu described the MoU as a milestone in the company’s global expansion strategy, noting that it reflects a long-term ambition to build internationally competitive industrial platforms. He said the partnership would deliver sustainable production and logistics systems capable of strengthening regional supply chains.
Representatives of MAIR Group emphasised that the collaboration advances Abu Dhabi’s push to consolidate its status as a global hub for trade and food security.
AD Ports Group, on its part, highlighted the pivotal role of Khalifa Port in attracting high-impact industrial investments and facilitating international trade connectivity.
The agreement signals a deeper economic alignment between Nigeria and the UAE, anchored on food security, infrastructure integration and export-led industrial growth.