Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have officially signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), eliminating tariffs on thousands of products to expand trade, boost non-oil exports, and attract investments between the two nations.

The agreement, signed on January 13, 2026, was led by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, in the presence of President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Under the CEPA:

• Nigeria will remove tariffs on 6,243 UAE products, with 63% eliminated immediately and the remaining phased out over five years. A small list of 123 products is excluded.
• The UAE will remove tariffs on 7,315 Nigerian products, with 38% removed immediately, phased elimination for others over three to five years, and 593 products excluded.

The deal covers agricultural, industrial, and manufactured goods. Key Nigerian exports gaining access include fish, cereals, oil seeds, pharmaceuticals, machinery, vehicles, and electrical equipment. Products like cocoa, coffee, mineral fuels, and furniture will see phased tariff reductions.

Beyond goods, the agreement also facilitates services and investment, opening opportunities in 99 Nigerian and 108 UAE sectors. Nigerian businesses will now have easier access to the UAE market, including corporate establishment and trade facilitation, while investment flows are expected to increase.

According to the Nigerian government, the CEPA is a “major milestone” in the country’s economic diversification and non-oil export drive. It aims to create jobs, encourage high-quality foreign investment, and position Nigeria as a gateway to ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The government stressed that the agreement aligns with WTO, AfCFTA, and ECOWAS commitments and does not conflict with existing regional or continental trade obligations. Agencies such as the Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, and Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission will oversee its effective implementation.