UAE and Nigeria launch comprehensive economic partnership agreement

The United Arab Emirates and Nigeria have formally launched a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking a new phase in bilateral trade and investment relations focused on sustainable growth and long-term economic cooperation. This is reported by Emirates News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

The agreement was signed in the presence of UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during high-level meetings held on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. Both leaders described the partnership as a strategic step towards deepening economic ties and creating new opportunities for mutual development.

UAE officials highlighted that the new agreement reflects the country’s long-term approach to building development-orientated partnerships worldwide, supporting inclusive growth and economic diversification. Nigerian representatives, in turn, underlined the importance of the agreement in advancing national development priorities and expanding international economic engagement.

The partnership contributes to the UAE’s broader foreign trade strategy under its Comprehensive Economic Partnership programme, launched in 2021 to expand non-oil trade and reinforce open, rules-based international commerce. Bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and Nigeria reached US$4.3 billion in 2024, representing strong year-on-year growth, with continued expansion recorded in 2025.

Alongside the signing ceremony, the two presidents held talks on wider cooperation, including renewable energy, sustainable development and regional and international issues of shared interest. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties with a focus on sustainability as a common priority.

The agreement is expected to serve as a foundation for long-term cooperation between the UAE and Nigeria, supporting trade expansion and shared development goals.

Photo: Emirates News Agency