The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture has described the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates as a significant milestone capable of accelerating the country’s economic growth and industrial development.
The agreement, recently signed by both countries, is designed to remove tariffs on thousands of goods and strengthen bilateral trade relations. It is expected to open the UAE market to a wide range of Nigerian agricultural and industrial products, including fish, seafood, cereals, oil seeds, cotton, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, at zero duty.
Under the arrangement, the UAE will also phase out tariffs on Nigerian exports such as machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, apparel and furniture within three to five years, while Nigeria will remove tariffs on about 6,000 imported products.
The agreement was signed during the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit, attended by President Bola Tinubu and the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Tinubu described the pact as historic, noting that it would deepen cooperation in key sectors such as aviation, logistics, agriculture and climate smart infrastructure.
In a statement, NACCIMA said the agreement aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting trade expansion, attracting investment and driving private sector growth.
The association noted that the deal would enhance investor confidence, widen market access for Nigerian businesses and support Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a one trillion dollar economy by 2030.
It added that the partnership positions Nigeria as a strategic investment hub and a gateway to the ECOWAS region and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
