The Federal Government of Nigeria has formalised a transformative trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a decisive pivot in the nation’s quest for economic diversification. The Nigeria–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed in the presence of President Bola Tinubu and his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is set to eliminate tariffs on over 13,000 products between the two nations.
Disclosed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment on Tuesday, the pact signed on 13 January 2026, aims to broaden market access for Nigerian exporters, businesses, and professionals, while simultaneously cementing Nigeria’s position as a premier gateway to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Under the terms of the CEPA, the Federal Government has committed to the removal of tariffs on 6,243 products imported from the UAE. In a reciprocal gesture of significant scale, the UAE has pledged to eliminate duties on 7,315 Nigerian-sourced products.
The liberalisation schedule is structured for immediate impact:
- Nigeria’s Commitment: 3,949 products (63.3 per cent) will see tariffs abolished immediately, with a further 2,294 products phased out over a five-year period.
- The UAE’s Commitment: 2,805 products (38.3 per cent) will benefit from immediate duty-free status, with 1,468 products following within three years and a final 3,042 products within five years.
Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, led the negotiations alongside the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. Dr Oduwole described the accord as a “pragmatic and comprehensive agreement” designed to stimulate high-quality investment and create employment, particularly for the burgeoning population of young Nigerians.
The agreement offers a substantial boon to Nigeria’s agricultural and primary sectors. The UAE will immediately remove tariffs on fish, seafood, cereals, live animals, and raw hides. Strategic commodities such as cocoa, coffee, spices, and precious metals will see their tariffs phased out over the next three to five years.
In the industrial sphere, Nigerian pharmaceutical products, chemicals, and printed materials will enjoy immediate duty-free entry into the UAE. Conversely, Nigeria will grant immediate market access to Emirati machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, and steel, while carefully phasing out tariffs on textiles and apparel.
Notably, Nigeria has maintained its “Import Prohibition List” to protect sensitive domestic industries, excluding 123 products, including dairy, alcoholic beverages, and soaps, from the liberalisation process. Similarly, the UAE has retained prohibitions on 35 products, including narcotics and used tyres.
The CEPA extends beyond the mere exchange of goods, delving into the liberalisation of services. Nigeria has made commitments across 99 specific services in 10 sectors, while the UAE has opened 108 services across 11 sectors. This provision permits Nigerian business travellers to explore Emirati markets with greater ease and allows for the establishment of corporate entities within the UAE.
The Federal Government underscored that this pact aligns strictly with Nigeria’s obligations under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and ECOWAS frameworks.
Following the signing, the government has pledged a multi-agency implementation strategy involving the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to ensure that domestic businesses can move with confidence to seize these new opportunities. Exporters are encouraged to consult the Ministry for detailed guidance on rules of origin and export procedures as this new era of trans-continental trade begins.
