Nigeria, UAE Sign Landmark CEPA Trade Deal in Abu Dhabi
Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Abu Dhabi, marking a major milestone in bilateral relations and opening a new chapter of expanded trade, investment, and economic cooperation between both countries.
The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, provides duty-free or reduced-tariff access for a wide range of goods and services, giving Nigerian products improved entry into the UAE market while also easing access for Emirati businesses into Nigeria. Under the CEPA framework, both countries committed to strengthening cooperation across key sectors including energy, agriculture, manufacturing, services, logistics, and technology. The deal also introduces stronger legal protections for investors, aimed at boosting confidence and accelerating foreign direct investment flows. Officials said the agreement is expected to significantly expand non-oil trade, which has already been growing steadily between the two countries in recent years. With the UAE emerging as one of Nigeria’s most important trading partners in the Middle East, the CEPA is designed to help diversify Nigeria’s economy, reduce trade barriers, and enhance the competitiveness of local exporters, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was present at the signing, described the agreement as a strategic step toward deepening economic ties and attracting long-term investment into critical sectors of the Nigerian economy. UAE authorities also highlighted Nigeria’s position as a key gateway to African markets, noting that the deal aligns with the Emirates’ broader trade expansion strategy. Beyond trade liberalisation, the CEPA is expected to support job creation, technology transfer, and industrial growth, while strengthening diplomatic relations between Abuja and Abu Dhabi. The agreement takes effect following ratification by both countries and is seen by analysts as one of Nigeria’s most significant bilateral trade deals in recent years, with the potential to reshape economic cooperation and unlock new opportunities for businesses on both sides.
