ABUJA, Nigeria — The governments of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates signed a “groundbreaking” Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, aimed at eliminating tariffs on thousands of goods and opening dozens of service sectors to bilateral trade.
The agreement was signed in Abuja by Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade. The ceremony was witnessed by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Under the terms of the deal, the UAE will eliminate tariffs on 7,315 Nigerian products, while Nigeria will remove tariffs on 6,243 products from the UAE. Beyond goods, the agreement grants Nigerian professionals and businesses access to 108 specific service sectors in the UAE, including legal, medical, and financial services.
“This Agreement was negotiated for you,” Dr. Oduwole said in a statement addressed to the Nigerian private sector. “I urge you to identify your opportunities with enhanced market access and move with confidence into the UAE market with the protections we have secured for you.”
The deal is expected to provide a significant boost to Nigeria’s non-oil exports, specifically targeting agricultural products like cocoa, cashew nuts, and spices, as well as manufactured goods such as pharmaceuticals and textiles.
Key Provisions of the Nigeria-UAE CEPA
| Provision | Nigeria’s Commitment | UAE’s Commitment |
| Tariff Elimination |
6,243 products total 777
|
7,315 products total 888
|
| Immediate Removal |
63.3% of covered products 9
|
38.3% of covered products 10
|
| Services Access |
99 services across 10 sectors 11111111
|
108 services across 11 sectors 12121212
|
| Professional Entry |
Permits UAE professionals per regulations 13
|
90-day entry for business visitors 14
|
Officials stated the agreement is designed to diversify the Nigerian economy and create jobs for its youthful population. It also includes provisions for Nigerian business visitors to stay in the UAE for up to 90 days within a 12-month period and allows for three-year renewable stays for intra-corporate transferees.
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment noted that the CEPA is fully consistent with Nigeria’s existing obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and ECOWAS.
“Nigeria is open for business,” Oduwole added. “Nigerian businesses now have open access to the UAE, the Middle East, and the rest of the world.”
The Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council are expected to begin coordinated implementation efforts immediately to facilitate the new trade flows.
