The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to eliminate tariffs on more than 13,000 products traded between the two countries as part of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed on January 13, 2026, officials say.
Under the agreement, Nigeria will eliminate tariffs on 6,243 products imported from the UAE, while the UAE will remove tariffs on 7,315 products imported from Nigeria.
The deal was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, in the presence of President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
According to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria will immediately remove tariffs on 3,949 products (about 63.3 per cent of covered goods), while tariffs on 2,294 products will be phased out over five years.
The Nigerian side also excluded 123 products from tariff liberalisation, including certain meat and dairy products, vegetable oils, cocoa preparations, cereals and flour products, and alcoholic beverages.
The UAE will immediately eliminate tariffs on 2,805 products (38.3 per cent), with 1,468 goods tariffs removed within three years and 3,042 goods within five years. The UAE excluded or prohibited 593 products from tariff liberalisation.
The agreement is designed to “expand market access opportunities for Nigerian products, businesses, and professionals into the UAE while facilitating investment flows,” the ministry said, aligning with Nigeria’s ongoing drive to diversify the economy beyond oil exports.
Under the CEPA, tariff elimination covers a wide range of agricultural, primary, industrial and manufactured goods.
The UAE will immediately grant duty-free access to Nigerian exports such as fish and seafood, cereals and milling products, oil seeds, raw hides and skins, and textile fibres. Tariffs on products like cocoa preparations, coffee, tea and spices, mineral fuels, and wood articles will be phased out over the medium term.
Nigeria’s immediate removal of tariffs will apply to imports such as mineral fuels, machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, iron and steel, plastics and related articles, while tariffs on fish, fruits, vegetables and apparel will be phased out over five years, the ministry said.
Beyond goods, the agreement also deepens services trade and investment flows, with Nigeria committing to liberalise 99 services across 10 sectors, and the UAE liberalising 108 services across 11 sectors, facilitating mobility and business operations between the countries.
President Tinubu and Dr. Oduwole described the CEPA as a pragmatic and comprehensive agreement expected to drive expanded trade opportunities, increased investment, and job creation, particularly for young Nigerian entrepreneurs and exporters.
The partnership is also aligned with Nigeria’s commitments under the World Trade Organisation (WTO), African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), designed to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a gateway for trade and investment within Africa and beyond.
Officials said the government will work with relevant ministries, agencies and trade bodies to implement the agreement, provide clarity on product coverage, and ensure Nigerian exporters and investors fully leverage the expanded market access.
