The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the United Arab Emirates and the Democratic Republic of the Congo officially entered into force, wiping out tariffs on the vast majority of customs items and streamlining trade logistics between the two nations.
The landmark pact arrives as bilateral non-oil trade scales new heights, reaching $3.5 billion in 2025—a striking 38.5% leap compared to 2024. For the UAE, the agreement unlocks a vital gateway to Central and East Africa, embedding the Emirates deeper into an economy boasting a $122.28 billion GDP and a 5.2% growth rate.
Untapped Mineral Wealth and Strategic Supply Chains
As the world’s largest producer of cobalt—supplying over 70% of global demand—and Africa’s leading copper producer, the Democratic Republic of the Congo sits at the heart of the global energy transition. The nation also serves as an important source of gold, tin, tantalum, and tungsten, minerals that form the backbone of modern electrical components and green technology.
The framework focuses heavily on dismantling non-tariff barriers, aligning customs procedures, and boosting mutual investments across logistics, energy, and manufacturing sectors.
While the UAE primarily exports vehicles, machinery, electronics, and construction materials to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Emirates acts as a portal for Congolese exports to global markets, ranging from metals to agricultural products and cotton.
Expanding the UAE’s Global Trade Architecture
The operational rollout of the DRC pact forms a core pillar of the UAE’s foreign trade agenda, which seeks to anchor the national economy to dynamic growth markets. According to the Ministry of Economy, the UAE has expanded its network of agreements under the CEPA program to 37 countries, with 18 of them having entered into force as of June 2026. (Note: other official statements place the total figures at 40 signed agreements with 20 actively in force.)
This African expansion strategy mirrors parallel efforts across the continent. In a related push to diversify its international commercial alliances, the UAE recently advanced its bilateral framework with Benin, following a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed by the UAE and the Republic of Benin. The agreement encompasses high levels of trade liberalization covering about 97% of current trade between the two countries, alongside a large share of customs tariffs, and was developed in record time. During the business roundtable, an agreement in the renewable energy sector was also signed. Benin features a strong fiscal policy and a fast-growing economy with a growth rate of about 7.5%, and non-oil trade between the two nations surged 63.5% (also cited as 65% year-on-year) in 2025 to hit $2.15 billion. Together, these pacts underscore the UAE's blueprint for establishing integrated economic corridors.
Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, emphasized that the agreement provides an important opportunity to expand cooperation in energy and infrastructure, which are two core pillars of Benin’s ambitious development program, noting Benin’s rapid infrastructure expansion driven by investments in the Port of Cotonou, the national road network, and power generation capacities. The pact also enables the exchange of knowledge in climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and green growth while ensuring economic growth protects natural heritage and enhances food security. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, underscored that the agreement is an important step in strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with Africa.
With customs duties officially dismantled and bilateral logistics channels now synchronized, businesses in both the UAE and the Democratic Republic of the Congo face a streamlined operating environment. Trade analysts will be watching closely to see how fast private sector firms capitalize on these corridors as the year progresses.
