UAE and Benin sign Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Abu Dhabi

Agreement signing in Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates and Benin have announced the conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking a new stage in the trade and investment relations between the two countries. The signing ceremony took place in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, October 25, 2026, in the presence of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and President of Benin Romuald Wadagni. The document was signed by UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi and Benin's Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, The National reports.

Terms of the deal and trade dynamics

After ratification, the agreement will reduce or eliminate customs duties on a wide range of goods, remove trade barriers, and improve market access for service providers and investors. The signing comes amid rapid growth in bilateral ties: non-oil trade between the countries reached $2.15 billion in 2025, up 65% compared with 2024 and more than doubling from $1.01 billion in 2021. The growth continued in 2026: in the first half of the year, non-oil trade amounted to $1.29 billion, 37.4% more than a year earlier.

Statements by the leaders

Sheikh Mohamed called the agreement a 'significant milestone' in bilateral relations and noted that it reflects 'a shared commitment to achieving long-term development goals, creating new opportunities for our business communities, strengthening economic resilience, and promoting prosperity and stability in our regions.' President of Benin Romuald Wadagni emphasized the agreement's importance for advancing shared sustainable development goals.

Context and significance

The agreement with Benin fits into the UAE's broader strategy of concluding comprehensive economic partnership deals: earlier, according to The National, the UAE concluded CEPA negotiations with Thailand, also with the aim of boosting trade and investment. Editorial analysis: the rapid growth in trade — more than doubling since 2021 and up 37.4% in the first half of 2026 alone — shows that the parties are formalizing an already established dynamic rather than building trade ties from scratch. For businesses, the practical consequence after ratification will be lower or eliminated duties on a wide range of goods and improved market access for service providers and investors in both countries. The exact timeline for ratification is not specified in the publication.