Nigeria has achieved a major economic milestone with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates, opening new opportunities for trade, investment, and business collaboration.

Under the agreement, over 7,300 Nigerian products will enter the UAE market duty-free, covering key agricultural and industrial goods. This gives Nigerian exporters a competitive advantage in one of the world’s busiest trade and logistics hubs, while supporting the growth of non-oil exports.

In return, Nigeria will provide market access to around 6,200 UAE products, mainly machinery and industrial inputs, aimed at reducing production costs and strengthening the country’s domestic manufacturing capacity.

The deal also liberalises more than 100 service sectors, including finance, transport, construction, healthcare, tourism, and business services, creating new opportunities for Nigerian companies and professionals.

On mobility, Nigerian business travellers can now stay in the UAE for up to 90 days annually, while corporate executives and skilled specialists can obtain renewable three-year work permits, facilitating smoother cross-border operations.

Beyond trade, the CEPA is expected to attract foreign direct investment into infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, technology, energy, and manufacturing, supporting job creation and long-term economic diversification.

In essence, the agreement strengthens Nigeria’s global trade position, improves market access, attracts investment, lowers production costs, and creates more employment opportunities.