In a significant move to reshape regional food supply chains and industrial logistics, BUA Group, AD Ports Group and MAIR Group have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to explore collaboration in sugar refining, agro-industrial development and integrated global logistics solutions.
Announced on Monday, the agreement signals a shared ambition to deepen food security cooperation, advance industrial diversification and reinforce Abu Dhabi’s standing as a premier hub for trade and manufacturing linking Africa and the Gulf.
The proposed partnership will combine BUA Group’s extensive industrial and logistics capabilities with the world-class infrastructure of Khalifa Port and the operational reach of AD Ports Group to create an efficient, end-to-end agro-industrial and maritime trade platform.
The initiative is aligned with the UAE Food Security Strategy 2051 and Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda, with a focus on expanding domestic production capacity, deepening value addition, strengthening post-harvest handling and unlocking new export markets for processed agricultural commodities.
By integrating aggregation, processing, storage and maritime export channels within a structured supply chain, the collaboration aims to reduce inefficiencies that have historically constrained agricultural trade between West Africa and global markets.
It is also expected to improve traceability, product quality and delivery reliability while establishing a predictable and commercially viable trade corridor connecting producers in West Africa with processing and distribution hubs in the Gulf. This integrated approach reflects a growing shift towards resilient, infrastructure-anchored food systems capable of supporting both regional consumption and international trade.
Commenting on the agreement, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, described the MoU as a milestone in the company’s international expansion and emphasised that the partnership would deliver sustainable food production and logistics solutions that strengthen regional supply chains while supporting the UAE’s long-term food security objectives.
He noted that the collaboration represents the emergence of a strategic food corridor founded on shared economic ambition, resilient infrastructure and disciplined execution.
Representatives of MAIR Group underscored their commitment to developing integrated investment platforms that reinforce Abu Dhabi’s role as a global centre for trade, food security and industrial growth, while AD Ports Group highlighted the catalytic role of Khalifa Port in attracting transformative industrial investments that enhance both regional food resilience and global trade connectivity. Together, the three partners envision a new agro-industrial ecosystem linking production zones, processing capacity and maritime logistics in a seamless value chain spanning continents.