The UAE and Benin signed a Full Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) on 26 October. This agreement formalizes a new economic framework intended to strengthen trade relations between the two nations. Officials from the UAE and Benin finalized the deal to expand bilateral cooperation across various sectors. Projections indicate that UAE exports to Benin will grow significantly following this partnership. Market analysts expect the value of these exports to exceed $1 billion by 2033. The agreement marks a formal step in increasing commercial activity between the UAE and Benin.
Scope of Trade Agreement
The Full Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) encompasses approximately 97 percent of the current trade volume between the UAE and Benin. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the minister of foreign trade, stated: "The free trade agreement covers about 97 percent of existing trade between the two countries and will remove or reduce a substantial portion of customs tariffs."
By targeting this significant share of commercial exchanges, the deal aims to lower barriers that previously affected the movement of goods. Both nations expect these tariff adjustments to accelerate the flow of products across their borders. The agreement functions as the primary mechanism for adjusting these trade costs to incentivize further economic activity in West Africa. Wam reported that the provisions are designed to apply directly to the identified scope of goods, facilitating a more efficient trade environment for participants in both the UAE and Benin.
Economic Growth Projections
Benin’s exports to the UAE are projected to increase by more than $100 million by 2033 as a direct result of the new trade framework. This anticipated growth reflects the broader expectations for bilateral commercial activity following the signing of the Full Economic Partnership Agreement.
Official data indicates that the UAE has concluded 37 Full Economic Partnership Agreements in total. Out of these finalized deals, 18 agreements are currently in force. These partnerships form the foundation of the national strategy to expand trade connectivity across multiple international markets.
National trade performance continues to show significant expansion during the current year. UAE non-oil foreign trade rose 13 percent year on year to AED 1.9 trillion, which is equivalent to $517 billion, during the first half of 2026. This upward trajectory in non-oil trade volume provides the economic context for the recent commitments made between the UAE and Benin.
