Financial advisory firm Woodhall Capital has launched the UAE-Nigeria Investor Forum to explore business opportunities in both countries.
A statement from the company on Thursday said the objective of the forum was to create a platform for the UAE government to meet with selected top members of the Nigerian business community.
The first meeting of the forum, organized by the UAE Consulate General, was held recently in Lagos with the theme “UAE-Nigeria: First Investor Meeting”.
Highlighting the investment opportunities in both countries, Moji Humponu Usu, founder of Woodhall Capital, said: “Woodhall Capital is a financial services company that raises funds internationally for banks, corporations and governments. We were founded in 2014, and the story of why we’re here began in 2020, when we took the plunge and opened an office in Dubai.
“The reason we wanted to bring you into what we feel is a monumental leap forward in the history of Woodhall Capital is what happened after we decided to open in Dubai. I grew up in Europe.
She further added, “Then we decided to set up in Dubai at some point during COVID-19. And lo and behold it took four years. We… We raised just under $500 million from the support that Dubai and Middle Eastern banks gave to Woodhall Capital.As a matter of fact, we here last Friday. We completed a $150 million transaction with a Nigerian company.”
She pointed out that the UAE government has decided to collaborate not only with Woodhall Capital but also with industry leaders.
Mr Hunponu-Usu said the forum was a vehicle to openly discuss the strengths of Nigeria and Africa.
He also announced that the UAE government has welcomed the company to open in the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi.
According to Dr. Abdullah Al Mandus, UAE Consul General in Lagos, Nigeria is an important country in West Africa with many opportunities and challenges.
“I strongly believe that together with the esteemed people gathered here today, we have an opportunity to achieve important results for both the UAE and Nigeria. Our vision is to engage with Nigeria and contribute to the growth and development of both countries. to see if we can contribute further,” said Al Mandus.
He also said that the UAE government has prioritized humanitarian work and attracting FDI.
Some industry leaders who attended the event expressed their thoughts on the opportunity at the forum.
Mr. Abdul Abiola, Founder of A2Energy Limited, said the forum provides a platform for the exchange of ideas among masters of various industries, and the partnership between UAE and Nigerian companies will go a long way in fostering innovation that will be beneficial to both countries. I believed it would be.
“We are focused on clean energy and our goal is to support innovation for the energy transition.Africa needs energy to grow, but we are still focused on fossil fuels. However, climate change is real.
“For A2Energy, we are focused on how we can develop innovation for Africa’s growth. We have received a variety of ideas from different stakeholders in different industries to unlock investment. “I’m excited to be a part of this event,” he added.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Commodity Futures Exchange, Mr. Akinsola Akeredolu Ale, has said that the efforts of the Nigerian government in attracting investments to Nigeria are beginning to bear fruit.
“The market infrastructure in which we operate is a specific area of the market that allows people to use templates and mediums to transact with each other, and this is called a commodity exchange, and it is why we are here today.
“What the UAE delegation has been able to do so far is that some of the road shows held by the Federal Government are now bearing fruit and they are returning home to prove that the UAE is ready to do business with Nigeria. It emphasizes the fact that they have consulates and embassies here that handle economic matters.
“I am happy to be part of this dialogue because today we were able to take it to a very high level, especially on market infrastructure that will enable capital mobilization in the agriculture and solid minerals sectors.”Akeredolu Ele. he emphasized.
