The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to enhance trade relations by eliminating tariffs on selected goods. This move is expected to boost economic cooperation between the two nations.
According to Rep. Sam Onuigbo, a member of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission, the CEPA was signed in Abu Dhabi during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which took place from January 11 to 15. Onuigbo, who previously served as a member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Climate Change, described the agreement as a significant milestone.
The CEPA, formalized in January 2026, will see the UAE remove tariffs on 7,315 Nigerian products, with 2,805 items enjoying immediate duty-free access. The remaining products will have their tariffs phased out over a three- to five-year period, covering both agricultural and industrial sectors. In return, Nigeria has eliminated tariffs on 6,243 products imported from the UAE.
This agreement is expected to create new opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs, allowing them to establish offices in the UAE and work there for up to three months. Onuigbo praised President Bola Tinubu for driving the agreement, which aims to reposition the country, improve the business environment, stimulate job creation, and enhance overall economic well-being.
Nigeria’s participation in the Abu Dhabi summit has also highlighted the country’s commitment to addressing its energy gap, which has hindered its economic and industrialization targets. The government has been engaging in various activities, including the Energy Transition Plan, the enactment of the Climate Change Act, and the Electricity Act, to improve the country’s energy sector.
The CEPA is expected to unlock broader global economic opportunities and strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and the UAE. Onuigbo noted that the President’s engagement with international partners will help tackle the impacts of climate change while supporting Nigeria’s economic growth in 2026. With a population of nearly 250 million people, Nigeria is poised to benefit from this agreement, which will enhance its economic development and industrialization.
