Nigeria, UAE Sign Trade Deal to Eliminate Tariffs on Thousands of Products
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a move expected to grant duty-free access to thousands of Nigerian products entering the UAE market. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
The agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which President Tinubu attended at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, January 13, President Tinubu described the agreement as a major step in Nigeria’s economic reform agenda and a strategic move to deepen bilateral trade relations between both countries.
According to the President, beyond eliminating tariffs on a wide range of Nigerian goods, the agreement is designed to expand opportunities for Nigerian exporters, manufacturers, and service providers, while also offering greater investment confidence to UAE investors seeking opportunities in Nigeria’s productive sectors.
“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,” Tinubu stated.
Boost for Trade, Investment, and Industrialisation
President Tinubu explained that the trade pact supports Nigeria’s broader goals of industrialisation, economic diversification, and job creation, while positioning the country as a key gateway for trade and investment into Africa.
He credited the successful conclusion of the agreement to sustained negotiations led by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and her UAE counterpart, Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
“This agreement is the result of sustained and disciplined work led by Minister Dr Jumoke Oduwole for Nigeria and by Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi for the UAE. I commend both ministers and their teams for the seriousness and clarity that brought these negotiations to a conclusion,” the President said.
Describing the pact as a product of purposeful diplomacy and strategic economic engagement, Tinubu stressed that its outcomes would serve Nigeria’s long-term national interest.
“This is the work of economic reform, purposeful engagement, and measured partnerships. The outcomes will serve Nigeria’s long-term national interest,” he added.
The President expressed optimism that the renewed economic relationship between Nigeria and the UAE would continue to generate sustained benefits for both nations and their citizens.