### Nigeria and UAE Forge Strong Economic Ties with Comprehensive Partnership Agreement On January 13, 2026, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Abu Dhabi, aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and investment. This agreement marks a significant milestone in the economic relationship between the two nations, which has seen non-oil trade reach $4.3 billion in 2024, reflecting a 55.3% increase from the previous year [https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/uae-nigeria-forge-stronger-ties-with-signing-of-comprehensive-economic-partnership-agreement]. The CEPA is expected to eliminate tariffs on over 13,500 products, facilitating duty-free access for Nigerian goods into the UAE market [https://businessday.ng/news/article/nigeria-uae-trade-deal-eliminates-tariffs-on-13500-products]. ### Structure of the Economic Partnership Agreement 1. **Objectives of the CEPA** - To deepen bilateral trade ties and unlock new investment opportunities across key sectors. - To eliminate tariffs on thousands of products, enhancing market access for Nigerian exporters [https://quicknews-africa.net/nigeria-uae-sign-trade-partnership-to-gain-market-access-boost-investment]. 2. **Key Benefits for Nigeria** - Duty-free access for over 7,000 Nigerian products, including machinery, vehicles, and apparel [https://premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/849283-cepa-nigeria-to-export-over-7000-products-duty-free-to-uae-under-new-trade-deal.html]. - Expected job creation and industrial growth through increased trade and investment [https://arise.tv/tinubu-signs-nigeria-uae-economic-partnership-to-drive-jobs-green-investment]. 3. **Strategic Initiatives** - Co-hosting the Investopia Summit in Lagos to attract global investment [https://www.newsngr.com.ng/2026/01/nigeria-uae-sign-trade-pact-set-to-co-host-investopia-summit]. - Focus on sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, and digital trade [https://businesstodayng.com/nigeria-uae-deepen-economic-ties-with-investopia-cepa-agreement]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Trade Growth**: Non-oil trade between Nigeria and the UAE reached **$4.3 billion** in 2024, a significant increase from previous years [https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/uae-nigeria-forge-stronger-ties-with-signing-of-comprehensive-economic-partnership-agreement]. - **Tariff Elimination**: The CEPA will eliminate tariffs on **13,500 products**, enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian goods in the UAE market [https://businessday.ng/news/article/nigeria-uae-trade-deal-eliminates-tariffs-on-13500-products]. - **Export Opportunities**: Nigerian exporters will benefit from duty-free access for **over 7,000 products**, which is expected to significantly boost exports [https://premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/849283-cepa-nigeria-to-export-over-7000-products-duty-free-to-uae-under-new-trade-deal.html]. ### Conclusion: A Transformative Step for Nigeria-UAE Relations The signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Nigeria and the UAE represents a transformative step in enhancing economic ties. 1. **Strengthened Trade Relations**: The agreement is set to eliminate tariffs on thousands of products, facilitating easier access for Nigerian goods into the UAE market. 2. **Economic Growth Potential**: With the potential for job creation and increased investment, the CEPA is expected to reshape Nigeria's trade architecture and expand global market access for its businesses. 3. **Strategic Initiatives**: The partnership includes initiatives like the Investopia Summit, aimed at attracting further investment and fostering cooperation across key sectors. This agreement not only signifies a commitment to deepening bilateral relations but also positions both nations for mutual economic growth and development in the coming years [https://nairametrics.com/2026/01/13/nigeria-uae-sign-cepa-for-tariff-free-trade-in-goods-services].