UAE and Benin Exchange CEPA as Non-Oil Trade Reaches $2.15 Billion

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates and Benin exchanged a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Abu Dhabi, a trade pact that will lower or scrap tariffs on many goods once ratified, after two-way non-oil trade climbed to $2.15 billion in 2025.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Beninese President Romuald Wadagni looked on as the two trade ministers handed over the documents at an official ceremony. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, acted for the Emirates, and Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade, in charge of Industry and Private Investment Promotion, acted for Benin.

Once ratification is complete and the agreement takes effect, the CEPA will reduce or eliminate customs duties on a wide range of goods, ease trade barriers and expand market access for service providers and investors in both countries. These measures are expected to strengthen supply chains and support greater trade and investment.

The official figures show how fast the relationship has grown. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Benin rose 65% in 2025 over the previous year and was more than twice the $1.01 billion recorded in 2021. The pace held into 2026, with non-oil trade reaching $1.29 billion in the first half, up 37.4% year on year.

In separate remarks, Al Zeyoudi said the CEPA is expected to increase UAE exports to Benin by more than $1 billion by 2033 and Benin’s exports to the UAE by more than $100 million over the same period. He said the agreement liberalizes about 97% of current bilateral trade through tariff reductions or eliminations, adding that negotiations were completed at a record pace in recent months.

The agreement aims to deepen trade and investment ties, strengthen cooperation between businesses and support economic growth in both countries.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, said: “The relationship between the UAE and the Republic of Benin is founded on a shared belief in dialogue, partnership, and the role of international cooperation in advancing sustainable development. This agreement marks a significant milestone in our bilateral relations and reflects our common ambition to achieve long-term development aims, create new opportunities for our business communities, strengthen economic resilience, and contribute to prosperity and stability in our regions. We look forward to building on these foundations and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest in the years ahead.”

Wadagni welcomed the exchange, describing the agreement as important both for economic cooperation between the two countries and for their shared sustainable development goals.

Al Zeyoudi also pointed to the goods likely to move under the deal. Cotton, certain nuts, soybeans and other food products are Benin's main exports to the UAE, and he said they could be sold in the Emirates or re-exported through it to global markets. Benin, for its part, buys a wide range of equipment, electronics, devices and spare parts that feed its industrial and infrastructure sectors.

UAE companies are already present in Benin, he said, investing in garment factories that draw on the country's cotton supply. He expects precious metals, particularly gold, to play a significant role in expanding trade, alongside electronics and technology, and noted that a renewable energy agreement was signed at a roundtable earlier the same day.

The minister cited Benin's economic growth of more than 7.5% last year as evidence of openings for UAE private-sector companies. He also described the country as a gateway to its neighbors and an exit point for a wide range of African goods bound for world markets, adding that work is underway to improve logistics links between the two.

The export targets are projections, and none of the tariff cuts apply until ratification is complete. With non-oil trade already above $2 billion a year, though, the CEPA could give UAE exporters of electronics and equipment, and Beninese suppliers of cotton and food products, more predictable terms, and better logistics links may make Benin a route for UAE goods into neighboring markets.

The Benin agreement expands the UAE’s network of trade partnerships. Launched in September 2021, the CEPA program is a central part of the country’s foreign trade agenda, supporting economic diversification and broader access to international markets. The UAE is also pursuing further agreements: in September, Al Zeyoudi and Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno opened negotiations on a UAE-Argentina CEPA in New York.

The presidents also witnessed the announcement of a series of additional agreements covering political consultations, a joint consular committee, cooperation between the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, workforce cooperation, government experience sharing and a strategic investment partnership. The package also included a cooperation protocol on domestic workers and a letter of intent on data hosting and information systems.

On the UAE side, those documents were exchanged by Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation; and Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment.

Benin was represented by Corinne Amori Brunet, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Hugues Oscar Lokossou, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of External Resource Mobilisation and Debt Management; Bakari; and Mahuna Akplogan, Minister of Digital Transformation and Innovation, in charge of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.