UAE and Central African Republic sign CEPA to boost $252m trade relations
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Arabian Business | 7 March 2025
UAE and Central African Republic sign CEPA to boost $252m trade relations
The UAE and the Central African Republic have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) deal as they enhance economic and diplomatic ties.
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Faustin-Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic, witnessed the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries.
The agreement aims to enhance bilateral trade and investment opportunities, particularly in key sectors.
UAE-CEPA deal
The agreement was signed on behalf of the UAE by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and on behalf of the Central African Republic by Patrick Akoloza, Minister of Trade and Industry.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated that the signing of the CEPA marks a new phase in the UAE’s relationship with the Central African Republic, driven by their shared vision for growth and sustainable development to achieve mutual economic and social benefits.
He highlighted that the agreement aims to open new avenues for trade, investment, and cooperation that serve the interests of both nations.
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra welcomed the signing of the agreement, expressing hope that it would strengthen economic ties between the UAE and the Central African Republic and contribute to sustainable development and economic prosperity for both countries.
The UAE’s non-oil exports to the Central African Republic include essential consumer goods such as food products, textiles, and electronics, as well as machinery and pharmaceuticals that support key sectors across Africa.
Meanwhile, the Central African Republic exports agricultural products, including coffee, cotton, and cassava, to the UAE, in addition to valuable mineral resources such as gold and diamonds.
The CEPA is expected to increase market access for locally produced goods in both countries by reducing or eliminating tariffs, removing non-tariff trade barriers, and boosting investment in key sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, and technology.
As the UAE continues to expand its global trade network, the agreement underscores its commitment to strengthening strategic economic ties with African nations, recognising the continent’s growing role in the global economy.
Through the agreement, both countries seek to eliminate or reduce tariffs, facilitate trade, and lay the foundation for deeper cooperation across various sectors.
The CEPA programme is a cornerstone of the UAE’s objective to increase total non-oil trade to $1.1tn by 2031.
It has played a crucial role in enhancing access to high-growth markets, significantly contributing to the UAE’s total trade volume, which reached a record $816bn in 2024, reflecting a 14.6 per cent increase from 2023.
During the meeting, the UAE President and the President of the Central African Republic also witnessed the announcement of several agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two countries.
These covered areas such as:
- Investment protection and promotion
- Double taxation avoidance
- Infrastructure
- Mineral resources
- Education
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade said that the agreement will create further growth and prosperity opportunities for business communities in both countries, boosting bilateral trade beyond AED3.67bn ($999m) over the next five to seven years in a way that serves the interests of both nations.
He noted that non-oil trade between the UAE and the Central African Republic continues to grow, reaching over AED925m ($252m) in 2024, highlighting the rapid expansion of trade exchanges between the two countries.
Al Zeyoudi explained that the agreement ensures a high level of trade liberalisation, with the UAE granting a 98 per cent tariff removal for goods from the Central African Republic, while the latter extends a 99.5 per cent tariff removal for UAE exports, offering significant opportunities for Emirati exporters to expand in the African market.
