According to the ministry, the agreement is designed to expand market access opportunities for Nigerian products, businesses and professionals in the UAE, while also facilitating increased investment flows between both countries.
The Nigerian government has confirmed the removal of tariffs on 6,243 products imported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while the UAE removed tariffs on 7,315 products imported from Nigeria, under a new trade agreement aimed at expanding market access and boosting non-oil exports.
The development was disclosed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, which detailed the Nigeria–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed in January 2026.
According to the ministry, the agreement is designed to expand market access opportunities for Nigerian products, businesses and professionals in the UAE, while also facilitating increased investment flows between both countries.
It described the pact as a major milestone in Nigeria’s economic diversification and non-oil export drive.
Under the agreement, Nigeria committed to eliminating tariffs on 6,243 products imported from the UAE.
Of this number, tariffs on 3,949 products, representing 63.3 per cent, will be removed immediately, while tariffs on 2,294 products will be phased out over a five-year period. Nigeria excluded 123 products from tariff liberalisation.
On its part, the UAE agreed to eliminate tariffs on 7,315 Nigerian products.
Tariffs on 2,805 products, representing 38.3 per cent of the total, will be removed immediately, while tariffs on 1,468 products will be eliminated within three years and those on 3,042 products within five years.
The UAE excluded or prohibited 593 products from the arrangement.
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 signed the agreement alongside the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, in the presence of President Bola Tinubu and the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The ministry described the agreement as a “pragmatic and comprehensive” pact expected to deliver significant economic and strategic benefits, including expanded trade opportunities, improved market access for Nigerian exports, increased flows of high-quality investment and job creation, particularly for young Nigerians.
It noted that the tariff eliminations would open the UAE market to a wide range of Nigerian agricultural, primary, industrial and manufactured goods.
Under agricultural and primary products, the UAE will immediately remove tariffs on fish and seafood, cereals and milling products, oil seeds, live animals and meat products, fruits and nuts, raw hides and skins, cotton and vegetable textile fibres, and other animal products.
Tariffs on cocoa and cocoa preparations, coffee, tea and spices, mineral fuels, wood and wood articles, precious stones and metals, as well as animal and vegetable fats and oils, will be removed over a period of three to five years.
For industrial and manufactured goods, the UAE will immediately eliminate tariffs on pharmaceutical products, organic and inorganic chemicals, paper and paperboard, printed books and newspapers.
Tariffs on machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, apparel, furniture, footwear, ceramics and glass will be phased out over three to five years.
However, the UAE will maintain import prohibitions on 35 products, including pork and pork products, narcotic substances, used tyres and asbestos-containing products.
On the Nigerian side, the agreement provides increased market access for UAE industrial and consumer goods.
Nigeria will immediately remove tariffs on mineral fuels, machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, iron and steel, plastics and related articles, while phasing out tariffs on fish, fruits, vegetables and apparel over five years.
The ministry stated that Nigeria excluded 123 products from tariff elimination, including meat and dairy products, certain vegetables, vegetable oils, cocoa preparations, cereal and flour products, tomato paste, alcoholic beverages, soaps and detergents, as well as some cotton yarns and fabrics.
It added that Nigeria’s Import Prohibition List remains in effect as a separate measure.
Beyond trade in goods, the CEPA also covers services and investment. Nigeria’s commitments span 99 specific services across 10 sectors, while the UAE’s commitments cover 108 services across 11 sectors.
The ministry said the agreement would allow Nigerian business visitors to enter the UAE to explore trade and investment opportunities in covered sectors and enable Nigerian firms to establish corporate entities to operate in the UAE.
According to the Federal Government, the agreement was secured to give Nigerian businesses the confidence to seize opportunities in the UAE market, accelerate non-oil exports and support the Renewed Hope Agenda.
It also aims to address barriers to foreign direct investment from the UAE into Nigeria and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a preferred destination for international investors and a gateway to the ECOWAS sub-region and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The government noted that the CEPA aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under the World Trade Organisation, AfCFTA and ECOWAS, and does not undermine existing regional or continental trade commitments.
Following the signing, the Federal Government said it would work with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, to ensure effective implementation of the agreement.
Exporters and investors were advised to seek further details on product coverage, services, rules of origin and export procedures from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and other relevant agencies.