UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Benin President Romuald Wadagni oversee a major trade agreement aimed at boosting investment and economic cooperation. PHOTO BY WAM
ABU DHABI, Oct. 26 (Horndiplomat) — United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Benin President Romuald Wadagni witnessed the exchange of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, aimed at expanding trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement was exchanged during Wadagni’s working visit to the UAE, where the two leaders also held talks on strengthening bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure and food security, according to the UAE’s state news agency WAM.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is expected to reduce or eliminate customs duties on a wide range of products, remove trade barriers and improve market access for businesses and investors once ratification procedures are completed and the agreement enters into force.
Sheikh Mohamed described the agreement as a significant step in relations between the UAE and the West African nation, highlighting their shared commitment to economic development and international cooperation.
“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.
Wadagni welcomed the agreement, saying it would help advance bilateral economic cooperation and support shared sustainable development objectives.
The deal comes amid rapid growth in trade between the two countries. Bilateral non-oil trade reached $2.15 billion in 2025, an increase of 65% from the previous year and more than double the $1.01 billion recorded in 2021, according to figures released by WAM.
Trade continued to expand in the first half of 2026, reaching $1.29 billion, up 37.4% from the same period a year earlier.
The agreement was exchanged by UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Benin’s Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade Olushegun Adjadi Bakari.
The two countries also announced seven additional agreements and cooperation arrangements covering political consultations, consular affairs, diplomatic training, digital infrastructure, labour cooperation, government experience exchange and strategic investment.
Among them was a memorandum of understanding on a strategic investment partnership, alongside a letter of intent covering data hosting and information systems.
During their meeting, Sheikh Mohamed and Wadagni discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in sectors considered important to both countries’ development strategies, including renewable energy, agricultural production, infrastructure and food security.
The leaders also discussed the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which the UAE is scheduled to host in December, and its role in addressing global water challenges and promoting sustainable water resource management.
Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to strengthening economic and development partnerships across Africa, describing cooperation with African countries as an important part of the country’s broader international engagement.
The agreement with Benin forms part of the UAE’s expanding network of comprehensive economic partnerships, launched in September 2021 to diversify its economy, increase foreign trade and strengthen its position as an international trade and logistics hub.
The meeting was attended by senior UAE officials, including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, alongside ministers and members of Benin’s visiting delegation.
(Reporting by Horn Diplomat Desk; Editing by Desk)
