By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria has signed a landmark trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) granting duty-free access to thousands of Nigerian products, President Bola Tinubu has announced.
The deal was signed on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a major global forum focused on climate action and sustainable development, according to a statement released by the presidency on Tuesday.
President Tinubu described the agreement as a significant boost to Nigeria’s non-oil exports and a step towards deepening economic ties between Africa’s largest economy and the Gulf state.
The duty-free arrangement is expected to ease market entry for a wide range of Nigerian goods into the UAE, one of the Middle East’s most important trading hubs, while enhancing opportunities for Nigerian businesses to compete globally.
Although specific products covered by the agreement were not immediately disclosed, officials say the deal aligns with the government’s broader strategy to diversify Nigeria’s economy, increase export revenues and attract foreign investment.
The UAE is a key economic partner for Nigeria, with strong links in trade, aviation and investment. In recent years, both countries have taken steps to strengthen bilateral relations following the resolution of diplomatic and commercial tensions.
The agreement comes as Nigeria seeks to reposition itself as a major exporter beyond crude oil, leveraging agriculture, manufacturing and value-added products to drive economic growth.
