By Staff reporter
The United Arab Emirates and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have strengthened their economic relations with the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking a major step toward expanding trade, investment, and long-term development cooperation.
The agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi in the presence of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC, underscoring the strategic importance both nations place on deepening bilateral ties and unlocking new economic opportunities.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed described the CEPA as a significant milestone in UAE–DRC relations, noting that it aligns with the UAE’s commitment to building effective development partnerships that promote sustainable growth and benefit future generations. He expressed confidence that the agreement would boost trade and investment flows while advancing shared development objectives.
The signing ceremony took place at Qasr Al Shati, where Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, and Julien Paluku Kahongya, the DRC’s Minister for International Trade, formalised the agreement. The CEPA aims to reduce tariffs, remove trade barriers, and encourage private sector collaboration across key sectors such as mining, agriculture, and clean energy.
With an estimated GDP of USD 70.75 billion, the DRC ranks among Africa’s top ten economies and is a global leader in cobalt production, positioning it as a strategic gateway to Central and Eastern Africa. UAE–DRC non-oil trade reached USD 2.9 billion in the first nine months of 2025, representing a 16.1 percent increase year on year.
In addition to the CEPA, the leaders also witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding covering mining investment, diplomatic training cooperation, and maritime transport, further expanding the scope of bilateral engagement.
Source: Emirates News Agency
