BUA Group, AD Ports Group and MAIR Group sign MoU to advance sugar refining and agro-industrial logistics
Strategic MoU targets food security, sugar refining, and logistics integration between West Africa and the Gulf.
NIGERIA – BUA Group, AD Ports Group, and MAIR Group have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration in sugar refining, agro-industrial development, and integrated global logistics solutions.
The agreement, announced on 16 February 2026, is aimed at strengthening regional food security, supporting industrial diversification, and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for trade and manufacturing.
The partnership brings together BUA Group’s industrial and logistics capabilities, AD Ports Group’s operational expertise, and the world-class infrastructure of Khalifa Port.
According to the parties, the proposed collaboration aligns with the UAE Food Security Strategy 2051 and Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.
The initiative targets enhanced domestic production capacity, increased value addition, improved post-harvest logistics, and expanded access to international export markets.
The MoU outlines plans for structured aggregation, processing, storage, and maritime export solutions designed to reduce supply chain inefficiencies.
The collaboration is also expected to improve product traceability and quality while establishing a predictable and efficient trade corridor between West Africa and the Gulf region.
Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, described the agreement as a “milestone in BUA’s international expansion.” He said the partnership would deliver “sustainable food production and logistics solutions that strengthen regional supply chains and support the UAE’s Food Security Strategy 2051.”
Rabiu added that the collaboration represents “a strategic food corridor anchored on shared economic ambition, resilient infrastructure, and disciplined execution.”
A representative of MAIR Group said the company remains committed to developing integrated industrial and logistics solutions that reinforce Abu Dhabi’s role as a global centre for trade, food security, and industrial growth.
An AD Ports Group spokesperson highlighted the importance of Khalifa Port, stating that it continues to play “a catalytic role in attracting high-impact industrial investments that enhance regional food security and global trade connectivity.”
The MoU establishes a framework for building a sustainable and resilient food and logistics ecosystem serving the UAE, West Africa, and global markets.
For the year ended 31 December 2025, BUA Group reported a profit after tax of N507.7 billion (US$317.3 million), while operating profit rose to N565.4 billion (US$353.4 million).
Looking ahead, BUA Foods plans to complete its sugar backward integration programme, targeting over 220,000 metric tonnes of refined sugar in its first phase.
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