By Staff Reporter
ABU DHABI, October 25, 2026 — The United Arab Emirates and Benin have strengthened their economic ties following the exchange of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) witnessed by the two countries’ presidents in Abu Dhabi.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Benin President Romuald Wadagni witnessed the exchange of the agreement, which aims to boost trade, attract investment and expand business opportunities between the two countries.
Once ratification procedures are completed and the agreement enters into force, it will reduce or eliminate customs duties on a wide range of goods, remove unnecessary trade barriers and improve market access for service providers and investors.
The deal comes amid rapid growth in bilateral trade. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Benin reached US$2.15 billion in 2025, marking a 65 percent increase from 2024 and more than double the US$1.01 billion recorded in 2021.
Trade momentum continued in the first half of 2026, with non-oil trade reaching US$1.29 billion, representing a 37.4 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
The agreement was exchanged by UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Benin’s Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari.
The two presidents also witnessed the announcement of several cooperation agreements covering political consultations, consular affairs, diplomatic training, data hosting, workforce cooperation, domestic workers, government services and strategic investment.
The additional agreements are expected to broaden cooperation across government, investment and digital transformation.
The UAE-Benin partnership forms part of the UAE’s wider Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement programme, launched in September 2021 to expand international trade links, strengthen supply chains and support economic diversification.
The UAE aims to consolidate its position as a global trade, investment and logistics hub by deepening commercial ties with high-growth markets.
