President Bola Tinubu has used Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi to position the country as a major investment destination and gateway to Africa’s rapidly expanding market.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu urged BRICS countries and other international investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s economic opportunities, particularly in infrastructure, technology, agriculture, energy, healthcare and manufacturing.
The President said Nigeria’s large and youthful population, combined with its position within the African Continental Free Trade Area, gives the country significant potential to serve as a gateway to the wider African market.
He stressed that Nigeria’s economic strategy is focused on building resilience against global shocks while creating jobs, expanding production and attracting private-sector investment.
Tinubu also called for deeper cooperation between Nigeria and BRICS nations in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, fintech, telecommunications, cybersecurity, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.
According to him, developing countries must move beyond consuming imported technologies by building their own technological capacity and owning intellectual property.
The President highlighted initiatives including 3MTT, Project BRIDGE and national artificial intelligence programmes as part of efforts to develop digital skills, expand connectivity and promote technology-driven businesses in Nigeria.
He also called for increased BRICS cooperation in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, critical minerals, healthcare and industrialisation, particularly partnerships capable of delivering technology transfer and local value addition.
Tinubu further advocated stronger access to climate finance and technology for developing countries, while stressing the need to balance environmental responsibility with economic development.
He said Nigeria was prepared to contribute to a BRICS partnership focused on practical outcomes, job creation, trade expansion, technology transfer and stronger productive capacity.
The President’s intervention comes as BRICS seeks to deepen cooperation among emerging economies and expand its influence in global economic affairs.
With Nigeria positioning itself as a major African market and investment gateway, the summit provides an opportunity for the country to attract new partnerships while pushing for a greater voice for developing nations in global economic decision-making.
