The United Arab Emirates and Benin exchanged a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, adding the West African country to the UAE’s growing network of trade deals.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Benin President Romuald Wadagni witnessed the exchange during Wadagni’s working visit to the UAE, according to a statement carried by the government news site Sharjah24.
The agreement was exchanged by Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE’s minister of foreign trade, and Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Benin’s minister of tourism and foreign trade.
Once ratified and in force, the CEPA will reduce or eliminate customs duties on a wide range of goods, remove trade barriers and improve market access for service providers and investors.
Non-oil trade between the two countries reached $2.15 billion in 2025, up 65% from 2024. That was more than double the $1.01 billion recorded in 2021.
Bilateral non-oil trade reached $1.29 billion in the first half of 2026, a rise of 37.4% from a year earlier.
“This agreement marks a significant milestone in our bilateral relations and reflects our common ambition to achieve long-term development aims, create new opportunities for our business communities, strengthen economic resilience, and contribute to prosperity and stability in our regions,” Sheikh Mohamed said.
The two leaders also discussed cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure and food security, the statement said.
The UAE launched its CEPA program in September 2021 as a pillar of its foreign trade agenda.
