UAE and Benin Exchange CEPA Covering 97% of Bilateral Trade
The United Arab Emirates and Benin exchanged a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Abu Dhabi on October 25, witnessed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Benin President Romuald Wadagni. The agreement was exchanged by UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi and Benin's Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade Olushegun Adjadi Bakari. Sheikh Mohamed called the agreement a milestone in bilateral relations, embodying a shared commitment to development partnerships.
Al Zeyoudi told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) the agreement liberalises about 97% of current trade between the two countries and, once ratified and in force, will remove or reduce a significant share of customs tariffs. It is expected to increase UAE exports to Benin by more than $1 billion by 2033, and Benin's exports to the UAE by more than $100 million over the same period. The two countries also announced memoranda of understanding covering investment, political consultations, labour and digital transformation.
Bilateral non-oil trade reached $2.15 billion in 2025, up 65% on 2024 and more than double the $1.01 billion of 2021; in the first half of 2026 it reached $1.29 billion, up 37.4%. Benin's main exports to the UAE include cotton, nuts, soybeans and food products, and its economy grew by more than 7.5% last year. Al Zeyoudi described Benin as a gateway to West African markets.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：阿布扎比天际线。图片：Wadiia / Wikimedia Commons，CC BY-SA 4.0
