UAE and Nigeria Ink Landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

Historic Agreement Signed in Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Nigeria have formalized a landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed on January 13, 2026, in Abu Dhabi during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The agreement is set to usher in a new era of economic cooperation and significantly enhance trade and investment flows between the two countries.

The signing ceremony was attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE, underscoring the strategic importance of the pact. The agreement was officially inked by Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria's Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade.

Key Provisions and Tariff Eliminations

The CEPA introduces substantial tariff reductions and eliminations, aiming to liberalize trade in goods and services. Under the agreement:

• The UAE will eliminate tariffs on over 7,000 products originating from Nigeria.
• Nigeria will eliminate tariffs on approximately 6,243 products from the UAE, with tariffs on 3,949 products removed immediately and the remainder phased out over five years.

Nigerian agricultural and industrial products, including fish, seafood, oil seeds, cereals, cotton, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, will gain immediate duty-free access to the UAE market. Tariffs on Nigerian machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, apparel, and furniture are slated for elimination over the next three to five years. Conversely, Nigeria expects to import critical machinery and industrial inputs from the UAE.

Enhanced Business Mobility and Investment

Beyond tariff reductions, the CEPA facilitates greater business and professional mobility. Nigerian business visitors will be permitted to enter the UAE for up to 90 days within a 12-month period. Furthermore, intra-corporate transferees, including managers, executives, and specialists from Nigerian companies, can relocate to the UAE for renewable three-year periods. The agreement also allows Nigerian businesses to establish operations in the UAE through various corporate structures.

The agreement also covers services trade, providing market access for 99 specific services from Nigeria across 10 sectors and 108 services from the UAE across 11 sectors.

Economic Impact and Future Outlook

The CEPA is designed to transform economic ties, boost trade, and attract quality investment inflows, aligning with Nigeria's Renewed Hope Agenda for national economic diversification. Officials from both nations anticipate that the agreement will position Nigeria as a strategic hub for accessing the broader African market and attract UAE investments into Nigeria's infrastructure and industrial sectors.

Bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and Nigeria reached US$4.3 billion in 2024, marking a significant 55.3% year-on-year increase compared to 2023. This new agreement is expected to further accelerate this growth. In a move to further attract global investors, Nigeria is scheduled to co-host the Investopia investment forum with the UAE in Lagos in February.