Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a new trade partnership that allows Nigerian-made products to enter the UAE market without paying customs duties, a move expected to make the products more affordable and competitive.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu disclosed this on Tuesday while attending the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week at the invitation of His Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Tinubu said he witnessed the signing of the Nigeria-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement alongside the UAE leader.
According to the President, the agreement is the result of months of coordinated efforts by both nations. “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,” he said.
Tinubu explained that the deal provides duty-free access for thousands of Nigerian products into the UAE, expands opportunities for exporters, manufacturers, and service providers, and gives UAE investors more confidence to invest in Nigeria’s productive sectors.
“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 stated.
He added that the agreement supports Nigeria’s broader economic goals. “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 described the development as “the work of economic reform, purposeful engagement and measured partnerships.” He expressed hope that the renewed Nigeria-UAE relationship would continue to yield long-term benefits for both nations and their citizens.
