President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to strengthening trade relations with African nations following the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the Republic of Congo. This trade agreement was finalized after discussions with President Denis Sassou Nguesso in Abu Dhabi’s Qasr Al Bahr, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation.

Sheikh Mohamed stated that the agreement exemplifies the two nations’ “shared commitment to sustainable development” and will enhance the growing trade and investment ties between the UAE and the Republic of the Congo. The CEPA aligns with the UAE’s strategy to deepen connections with key global markets, aiming to double the size of its economy by 2031.

During the signing ceremony, which took place while President Nguesso was on a working visit to the UAE, the agreement was signed by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Christian Yoka, Minister of Finance, Budget, and Public Portfolio for the Republic of the Congo. Under the terms of the CEPA, tariffs will be eliminated over five years for 99.5 percent of UAE exports and 98 percent of Republic of Congo exports.

The deal is expected to significantly increase bilateral non-oil trade, projecting growth from $3.1 billion (AED 11.3 billion) recorded in 2024 to approximately $7.2 billion (AED 26.45 billion) by 2032. This agreement further reinforces the strengthening ties between the two nations, as non-oil trade between the UAE and the Republic of the Congo rose by 4.2 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, nearly doubling compared to 2019.

Additionally, this agreement follows three strategic agreements signed in 2023, which included a double taxation avoidance agreement, an investment promotion and protection agreement, and an air transport agreement. Foreign trade is a crucial component of the UAE’s economic strategy, with the country achieving a record non-oil trade in goods of $817 billion (AED 3 trillion) in 2024, marking a 14.6 percent increase from 2023 and a 56.8 percent rise from 2021. The CEPA is a vital element in achieving the target of $1.1 trillion (AED 4 trillion) in total non-oil trade by 2031.