Nigeria has secured expanded access to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market following the removal of tariffs on more than 13,000 products under a new bilateral trade agreement designed to boost exports, jobs and investment.
Under the agreement, Nigeria lifted tariffs on 6,243 products imported from the UAE, while the UAE removed tariffs on 7,315 Nigerian goods, marking a major breakthrough for Nigerian exporters targeting one of the world’s most strategic trading hubs.
The development was disclosed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in a document outlining the Nigeria–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed in January 2026.
According to the ministry, the agreement is expected to widen market access for Nigerian products, deepen services trade and attract high-quality foreign investment into the country.
For trade in goods, Nigeria will immediately eliminate tariffs on 3,949 products, representing 63.3 per cent of its commitments, while tariffs on 2,294 products will be phased out over five years. A total of 123 products were excluded from tariff liberalisation to safeguard sensitive local industries.
On its part, the UAE will immediately remove tariffs on 2,805 Nigerian products, phase out tariffs on 1,468 products within three years, and eliminate tariffs on 3,042 products within five years. The UAE excluded or prohibited 593 products from the agreement.
The CEPA was signed on January 13, 2026, following negotiations led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, with support from the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigeria Customs Service.
Dr Oduwole and the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, signed the pact in the presence of President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The ministry described the agreement as a practical framework capable of unlocking new export opportunities, creating jobs and accelerating Nigeria’s non-oil export drive.
With tariff removal, Nigerian agricultural and primary products such as fish and seafood, cereals, oil seeds, live animals, fruits and nuts, cotton, hides and skins, and other animal products will enjoy immediate duty-free access to the UAE market.
Tariffs on cocoa and cocoa preparations, coffee, tea and spices, mineral fuels, wood and wood products, precious stones and metals, as well as animal and vegetable fats and oils will be phased out over three to five years.
For industrial and manufactured goods, the UAE will immediately remove tariffs on pharmaceutical products, chemicals, paper and paperboard, printed books and newspapers, while tariffs on machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, apparel, furniture, footwear, ceramics and glass will be eliminated gradually.
However, the UAE will maintain import prohibitions on 35 items, including pork and pork products, narcotics, used tyres and asbestos-containing products.
On the Nigerian side, the agreement opens the domestic market to UAE industrial and consumer goods. Nigeria will immediately remove tariffs on mineral fuels, machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, iron and steel, plastics and related products, while tariffs on fish, fruits, vegetables and apparel will be phased out over five years.
The Federal Government noted that Nigeria’s Import Prohibition List remains in force, with 123 products—including meat and dairy items, certain vegetables, vegetable oils, cocoa preparations, cereal and flour products, tomato paste, alcoholic beverages, soaps and detergents—excluded from tariff elimination.
Beyond goods, the agreement also covers services and investment. Nigeria committed to 99 services across 10 sectors, while the UAE made commitments across 108 services in 11 sectors, allowing Nigerian professionals and business visitors to explore opportunities and establish corporate entities in the UAE.
The government said the deal aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under the World Trade Organisation, AfCFTA and ECOWAS frameworks, and supports President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by positioning Nigeria as a preferred destination for global investment and a gateway to West African markets.
Elijah Adeyemi
