Abu dhabi: UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency Brice Oligui Nguema, President of the Gabonese Republic, witnessed the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between their two nations in Abu Dhabi today. The agreement will significantly enhance bilateral trade flows, enhance private-sector collaboration, and facilitate investment into key sectors, including agriculture, logistics, and renewable energy.
According to Emirates News Agency, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized the importance of the CEPA, which will solidify economic ties with the West African nation and offer new opportunities for UAE exporters and investors. He remarked that the UAE's Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement program is continuously expanding, strengthening relations with countries worldwide, opening new markets for the private sector, and consolidating the UAE's strategic global trade position. His Highness noted that the CEPA with Gabon marks a critical foreign trade milestone, accelerating trade, connecting exporters to global supply chains, and creating new investment avenues that benefit both economies. He stressed that both countries are eager to explore opportunities across various industries to drive shared prosperity and sustainable growth.
The CEPA was signed by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, and His Excellency Thierry Minko, Gabon's Minister of Economy, Finance, Debt, and Investment. The agreement aims to reduce tariffs, eliminate trade barriers, facilitate investment flows, and promote private sector collaboration, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises. The CEPA is designed to support long-term, sustainable development and mutual growth, generating lasting benefits for both nations.
The UAE is already a significant partner for Gabon. In 2025, the two nations recorded non-oil trade worth USD 320.7 million, more than doubling the trade value from 2021. The CEPA with Gabon aligns with the UAE's broader strategy of expanding economic relations across Africa, recognizing the continent's potential for sustainable economic growth and diversification. In 2024, the UAE's non-oil trade with African nations reached USD 112 billion, a 34% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the UAE is the largest source of new foreign direct investment in Africa, having invested over USD 110 billion across the continent since 2019.
His Highness and the President of Gabon also witnessed the announcement of several memoranda of understanding covering cooperation in defense, the establishment of a joint UAE-Gabon Business Council, and collaboration between the General Women's Union and Gabon's Ministry of Social Affairs on a women's empowerment program.
