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Nigeria, UAE Scrap Tariffs on Over 13,000 Goods in Historic CEPA Deal

Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have officially signed a landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that eliminates tariffs on more than 13,000 products traded between the two nations, marking a major milestone in bilateral economic cooperation and boosting market access for Nigerian goods and services.

Under the agreement signed on January 13, 2026, in Abu Dhabi during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Nigeria agreed to remove tariffs on 6,243 UAE‑origin products, while the UAE will eliminate duties on 7,315 Nigerian products, significantly expanding trade opportunities and investment flows between both countries.

The tariff cuts will be phased in at different paces — with many goods receiving immediate duty‑free status, while others will see tariffs removed over three to five years. Nigeria will immediately eliminate tariffs on 3,949 items and phase out the remaining over five years, excluding 123 sensitive products from liberalisation. On the UAE side, tariffs on 2,805 items will be removed immediately, with additional batches phased out over the next three to five years.

The CEPA goes beyond goods trade, also opening access to services and investment. Nigerian businesses and professionals can now benefit from expanded market access in over 100 service sectors, and Nigerian firms can establish operations within the UAE. The pact also includes a Rules of Origin framework to ensure only eligible products benefit from the agreement.

Officials describe the CEPA as a strategic boost for Nigeria’s economic diversification, non‑oil export drive, and global trade integration, positioning the UAE as a key gateway to Middle Eastern and global markets.