The United Arab Emirates has signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Angola, a move expected to expand trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries and strengthen the UAE’s presence in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said the agreement builds on growing bilateral relations and positions Angola as a promising partner thanks to its young population, natural resources, and rising GDP. He noted that Angola’s strategic location on the Atlantic coast could make it a key logistics hub.
Non-oil trade between the UAE and Angola reached USD 2.17 billion in 2024, with trade in the first half of 2025 growing nearly 30 percent year-on-year. UAE imports from Angola are dominated by diamonds, gold, copper, and grains, while exports include petroleum products, metals, machinery, and consumer goods.
The CEPA is expected to raise non-oil trade to more than USD 10 billion annually by 2033, add around USD 1 billion to the GDP of both nations, and generate nearly 30,000 jobs. It will also eliminate tariffs, reduce trade barriers, and open new opportunities in energy, infrastructure, mining, logistics, tourism, and healthcare.
The agreement, once ratified, will also support SMEs and startups through collaboration platforms and create stronger frameworks for digital trade and services. Dr. Al Zeyoudi said the pact reflects the UAE’s wider strategy to boost foreign trade to AED 4 trillion (USD 1.1 trillion) by 2031.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
