Nigeria, UAE trade pact opens duty-free access for Nigerian goods — Oduwole

Jumoke Oduwole, minister of Industry, Trade and Investment

Nigeria’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates will unlock duty-free access for thousands of Nigerian products, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment,  Jumoke Oduwole, has said.

Oduwole spoke on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi after Nigeria and the UAE signed the landmark trade agreement on the sidelines of the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

She described the CEPA as a historic milestone that would transform economic relations and deliver tangible benefits for Nigerian businesses, professionals and workers.

He said, “Today marks a historic milestone in Nigeria’s trade relations.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA that will transform economic ties between our two nations and deliver tangible benefits for Nigerian businesses, professionals, and workers,”

The minister said the agreement prioritises market access, quality investment inflows and economic diversification under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Oduwole said the UAE would immediately eliminate tariffs on more than 7,000 Nigerian products.

She listed fish and seafood, oil seeds, cereals, cotton, pharmaceuticals and chemicals among products entering the UAE market duty-free.

She said tariffs on Nigerian machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, apparel and furniture would be phased out within three to five years.

According to her, the agreement gives Nigerian industrial exports a competitive pathway into one of the world’s leading trading hubs.

Oduwole said Nigerian businesses could now establish entities, branches and subsidiaries in the UAE.

She added that Nigerian business visitors could stay up to 90 days yearly, while executives and specialists could relocate for renewable three-year periods.

The minister said the agreement would improve Nigeria’s investment climate by addressing longstanding barriers to foreign direct investment.

She said UAE investors now have clarity and confidence to invest in Nigeria’s productive sectors.

“She said, For Nigeria’s investment climate, this Agreement addresses longstanding impediments to foreign direct investment.

“UAE investors now have clarity and confidence to invest in Nigeria’s productive sectors,”

Oduwole said the deal would support industrialisation, improve logistics connectivity and create quality jobs for Nigeria’s youthful population.

She said Nigeria would eliminate tariffs on about 6,000 products under the agreement.

According to her, tariffs on 60 per cent of the products would be removed immediately, with others phased over five years.

She said the imports focus on industrial inputs, capital goods and machinery to strengthen local production.

Oduwole said Nigeria’s import prohibition list would remain in force.

On services, she said Nigeria’s commitments cover 99 services across 10 sectors, including finance, transport, construction, health and tourism.

She described the CEPA as a strategic instrument for economic transformation and export-led growth.

Oduwole said the agreement positions Nigeria as a gateway for investors seeking access to Africa’s 1.4 billion-person AfCFTA market.

She cited strong UAE investor participation in infrastructure financing, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road project.

The minister said the agreement aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under the WTO, AfCFTA and ECOWAS.

She said the ministry and relevant agencies would ensure swift implementation in line with the President’s Nigeria-First directive.

Oduwole urged Nigerian businesses to seize the opportunities created by the agreement and expand confidently into the UAE market.

“To the Nigerian private sector: this Agreement was negotiated for you.

“I urge you to identify your opportunities with enhanced market access and move with confidence into the UAE market with the protections we have secured for you,” she said.

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