Nigeria-UAE Trade Deal: CEPA Agreement to Liberalize Over 7,000 Products
Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have officially signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signaling a major step forward in bilateral trade relations. The agreement, signed in Abu Dhabi in the presence of both nations’ heads of state, aims to integrate Nigeria more fully into the global market and create new opportunities for businesses on both sides.
Under the agreement, trade in goods and services will be significantly liberalized, with tariffs eliminated on thousands of products. Nigerian businesses, exporters, and professionals will now have expanded access to the UAE market, while UAE investors gain a clearer path to participate in Nigeria’s growing economy. The deal covers over 7,000 products, with phased and immediate tariff reductions designed to enhance trade competitiveness.
Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, highlighted the transformative nature of the deal. “For Nigerians, this agreement is not abstract. It opens duty-free access for thousands of Nigerian products into the UAE, expands opportunities for our exporters, manufacturers, and service providers, and gives UAE investors clearer confidence to back Nigeria’s productive economy,” President Tinubu emphasized.
The details reveal that Nigeria will liberalize 6,243 products, with tariffs on 3,949 products eliminated immediately and the remaining 2,294 phased out over the next five years. On the UAE side, 2,805 of 7,315 products will see instant tariff removal, creating a mutually beneficial trade environment designed to strengthen economic ties and attract international investors.
Industry analysts describe the CEPA deal as a transformative milestone that reshapes Nigeria’s trade architecture. By opening new export avenues and fostering stronger economic collaboration, the agreement not only positions Nigeria as a competitive player in global trade but also sends a strong signal to investors seeking opportunities in Africa’s largest economy.
source: The Guardian