Nigeria, United Arab Emirates Sign Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to Boost Bilateral Trade
Abu Dhabi, UAE — January 13, 2026
In a landmark step toward deepening economic cooperation, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have formally signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed at significantly expanding bilateral trade, investment flows, and market access between Africa’s largest economy and one of the Middle East’s key commercial hubs.
The signing ceremony took place in Abu Dhabi on January 13, 2026, on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, in attendance. The agreement was finalised by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole and the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, underscoring high-level political commitment to enhanced cooperation.
A Framework for Expanded Economic Ties
The CEPA establishes a comprehensive framework designed to remove trade barriers and deepen economic linkages in goods, services, investment, and digital trade. Key components of the agreement include:
Tariff reductions and elimination on a broad range of goods to facilitate easier and more competitive trade.
Liberalisation of services, opening up sectors such as logistics, finance, telecommunications, healthcare, education, and tourism to enhanced cross-border participation.
Customs and trade facilitation measures intended to streamline procedures and reduce transaction costs.
Investment promotion and protection, crafted to boost investor confidence and encourage sustainable capital flows between both markets.
Cooperation in innovation, technology transfer, and sustainable development, signalling a forward-looking approach beyond conventional trade agreements.
The pact is expected to deliver significant opportunities for Nigerian exporters — particularly in non-oil sectors like agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, solid minerals, and creative industries while facilitating UAE firms’ entry into Nigeria’s growing market and broader West African region.
Economic Impact and Strategic Significance
Economic relations between Nigeria and the UAE have been rapidly growing. Bilateral non-oil trade reached approximately US$4.3 billion in 2024, marking a notable 55.3 percent year-on-year increase, with continued momentum into 2025.
Officials from both nations have highlighted the CEPA’s role in advancing strategic priorities:
Enhancing supply-chain integration, reducing barriers that hinder efficient trade.
Empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access and compete in global markets.
Supporting investment pipelines exceeding US$10 billion in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and digital infrastructure.
For the UAE, the agreement reinforces its foreign trade strategy — which has already seen multiple CEPAs with global partners — to cultivate diversified economic ties and position the country as a hub for global commerce.
Looking Ahead
Leaders on both sides have described the CEPA as a “historic and strategic” pact that paves the way for deeper cooperation and mutual prosperity. President Tinubu emphasised the opportunities it unlocks for Nigerian businesses and investors, while UAE officials reiterated the pact’s value in strengthening ties with Africa’s largest population and fastest-growing markets.
As the agreement enters its implementation phase, businesses, investors, and policymakers in both countries will be watching closely to realise its full potential — from increased trade volumes to broader regional economic integration.
