Announcement made by the Federal Government disclosed that Nigeria has canceled tariffs on 6,243 products imported from the UAE, and in return, the UAE set aside 7, 315 tariffs on goods imported from Nigeria. This trade agreement is meant to bolster trade between the nations, improving the import and export relationship. punch
This agreement was disclosed on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, which signed the Nigeria–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement document.
A statement by the federal ministry said that the agreement will “expand market access opportunities for Nigerian products, businesses, and professionals into the UAE while facilitating investment flows.”
When tariffs are lifted, this means countries’ citizens wouldn’t have to pay more for what they want, increasing consumption. And when consumption is on the rise, jobs are created to meet those needs from the consumer. With this signed deal, Nigeria can steer its focus from oil by diversifying into other goods to help strengthen its economy.
The UAE also benefits from the deal. With millions of consumers in Nigeria, they can reach even a broader market for the consumption of goods made in the nation. Some of the goods exported from the UAE are gold & precious metals, machinery, vehicles, electronics (like smartphones), aluminum, and textiles.
The CEPA was signed on January 13, 2026, by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. The president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, and the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, were present at the event.