President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Nigeria and the UAE, fundamentally reshaping the trade architecture to unlock global access for Nigerian enterprise and talent.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the signing of a landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, describing it as a major step toward deepening trade, investment and long-term economic cooperation between both countries.
The President disclosed this in a post on his official X handle after attending the signing ceremony during the ongoing Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, following an invitation by the President of the UAE, His Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“At the invitation of His Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (@MohamedBinZayed), I am in Abu Dhabi for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where today I witnessed the signing of the Nigeria-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement alongside His Highness, the President of the United Arab Emirates,” Tinubu wrote.
He explained that the agreement was the product of months of structured negotiations and careful diplomacy, led on the Nigerian side by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and on the UAE side by 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 stated.
Tinubu stressed that the benefits of the agreement would be felt directly by Nigerians, noting that it goes beyond policy documents to create real economic opportunities.
“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,” he said.
According to the President, the partnership aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic reform agenda, particularly in industrialisation, diversification and positioning the country as a strategic trade hub on the continent.
“This comprehensive agreement also supports our industrialisation and diversification goals and strengthens Nigeria’s position as a gateway for trade and investment into Africa,” Tinubu added.
He described the deal as a reflection of Nigeria’s commitment to “economic reform, purposeful engagement and measured partnerships,” noting that the expected outcomes would advance the nation’s long-term interests.
“This is the work of economic reform, purposeful engagement and measured partnerships. The outcomes will serve Nigeria’s long-term national interest,” the President said.
Tinubu concluded by expressing optimism that the renewed bilateral relationship would continue to deliver mutual benefits.
“May the renewed relationship between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates continue to yield sustained dividends for both nations and our peoples,” he wrote.
The Nigeria–UAE CEPA is expected to boost trade flows, attract foreign direct investment and strengthen economic ties between both countries in the coming years.
