Image courtesy: WAM
The UAE and Angola signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) during a state visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in a move aimed at expanding trade and investment ties between the two countries.
The agreement was exchanged in the presence of Sheikh Mohamed and Angolan President João Manuel Lourenço. UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Angola’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Rui Miguêns de Oliveira signed on behalf of their governments, state news agency WAM reported.
Sheikh Mohamed said the CEPA would stimulate trade flows, expand investment, and enhance coordination between the business communities of both nations. He described the deal as a step forward in strengthening the UAE’s strategic partnerships with African countries that share its vision for economic growth and sustainability.
The Angolan President welcomed the accord along with a series of memoranda of understanding (MoUs), saying they would reinforce and diversify bilateral economic cooperation.
CEPA to expand ties with with Sub-Saharan and West African markets
According to the WAM report, Dr Al Zeyoudi said the CEPA expands the UAE’s ties with Sub-Saharan and West African markets, describing the region as a high-growth area seeking to accelerate development through strategic partnerships.
He noted Angola’s young population, abundant natural resources, and GDP growth of 4.4 per cent in 2024 make it one of the region’s most promising economies.
He said the agreement builds on momentum in bilateral trade, particularly in sectors such as gemstones, minerals, mining, digital trade, and agri-tech, while Angola’s Atlantic coast location gives it potential as a logistics hub.
Non-oil trade between the UAE and Angola reached $2.17bn in 2024, rising 29.7per cent in H1 2025 to $1.4bn.
According to Al Zeyoudi, UAE non-oil exports to Angola stood at $135.6m in 2024, while Angola’s main exports to the UAE included diamonds, gold, copper, and grains, accounting for nearly all imports. The UAE exported light petroleum distillates, iron and steel products, cigarettes, and perfumes, while re-exports included vehicles, diesel trucks, and spare parts.
The CEPA is designed to cut or remove customs duties, dismantle non-tariff barriers, expand market access for services, and create new investment opportunities across multiple sectors.
Al Zeyoudi forecast that the agreement will raise non-oil bilateral trade to more than $10bn annually by 2033, add about $1bn to both economies, and create nearly 30,000 new jobs.
He added that the agreement is balanced and mutually beneficial, with scope to expand imports from Angola worth nearly $1bn in products such as glass, fish, and fruits, while boosting UAE exports by up to $235m in machinery, electrical equipment, chemicals, and plastics.
Al Zeyoudi said the deal will also strengthen cooperation in services such as logistics, healthcare, tourism, and finance, which already represent nearly 40 per cent of Angola’s GDP, and will support SMEs by easing restrictions and creating a platform for collaboration between incubators, accelerators, and youth- and women-led projects.
The minister highlighted major UAE investments in Angola, including Masdar’s 150MW solar project to power 90,000 homes, Dubai Investments’ 2,000-hectare industrial park project, and AD Ports Group’s operation of a multipurpose terminal at Luanda Port.
He stressed that the CEPA is central to the UAE’s foreign trade strategy, aimed at raising trade volumes to $4tn ($1.1tn) by 2031 and doubling exports.
The agreement will enter into force once ratification procedures are completed in both countries, bringing immediate benefits such as streamlined customs processes, reduced tariffs, and expanded market access.
UAE-Angola sign MoUs in tech, finance and agriculture
According to WAM, the two leaders also oversaw the signing of MoUs in artificial intelligence, central banking, and agriculture. An AI cooperation agreement was signed by UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Angola’s Minister of State for Economic Coordination José de Lima Massano.
The Central Bank of the UAE and the National Bank of Angola signed an MoU on financial cooperation, while agricultural firm Al Dahra signed an agreement with Angola’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Other agreements covered areas including political consultations, diplomatic cooperation, tourism, investment, renewable energy, culture, education, labour, sports, health, climate action, and technology.
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