Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade, confirmed that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Angola strengthens the UAE’s connections with fast-growing Sub-Saharan and West African markets, driving development through strategic investments and partnerships.
In a statement to Emirates News Agency (WAM), Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted Angola’s potential due to its youthful population, rich natural resources, and a projected GDP growth of 4.4% in 2024. He noted that the agreement enhances bilateral trade, especially in gemstones, minerals, mining, digital trade, and agri-tech sectors.
He emphasized Angola’s strategic position on the Atlantic coast, promising its emergence as a key logistics hub.
Discussing the trade and investment relationship, Dr. Al Zeyoudi remarked that since establishing ties in 1997, UAE-Angola relations have progressed significantly. Non-oil bilateral trade reached $2.17 billion in 2024, a 2.6% increase from 2023. UAE’s non-oil exports to Angola were $135.6 million, while non-oil trade in the first half of 2025 hit approximately $1.4 billion, a 29.7% rise compared to 2024.
In 2024, the UAE mainly imported diamonds, gold, copper, rods, alloys, and grains from Angola, making up 99.8% of total imports. Major UAE exports included light petroleum distillates, iron, steel, taps, valves, metal structures, cigarettes, and perfumes, accounting for 50% of exports to Angola.
Re-exports to Angola in 2024 primarily involved vehicles, diesel trucks, spare parts, and mechanical components, constituting 50% of re-exported goods.
He stressed the vast potential to expand trade and investment in energy, infrastructure, mining, logistics, tourism, and healthcare. UAE companies like Masdar are developing a 150 MW solar project for Angolan homes. Dubai Investments is constructing the “Dubai Investments Park – Angola” over 2,000 hectares, and AD Ports Group is operating a new terminal at Luanda Port.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi emphasized that CEPA is vital for the UAE’s economic goals, with foreign trade being a key growth driver. The UAE aims to reach Dh4 trillion ($1.1 trillion) in foreign trade by 2031 and double exports during this time.
The agreement aims to cut tariffs, eliminate trade barriers, open service export markets, provide dispute-resolution mechanisms, and establish a digital trade framework.
He predicted that CEPA will boost non-oil bilateral trade to over $10 billion annually by 2033, add $1 billion to each country’s GDP, and create nearly 30,000 jobs. It will also strengthen the UAE as a global supply chain hub linking the Arab world, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The agreement, deemed balanced and beneficial, allows for up to $993.6 million in additional imports from Angola, including glass, fish, fruits, and optical goods, while increasing UAE exports by $235 million in machinery, electrical equipment, plastics, rubber, ferrous metals, chemicals, and minerals.
It also boosts cooperation in services sectors like business, logistics, construction, healthcare, education, finance, telecommunications, tourism, and travel. Services represent nearly 40% of Angola’s GDP, its second-largest sector.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi assured that the agreement will support SMEs by reducing trade restrictions and fostering collaboration through support centers, incubators, accelerators, export hubs, and initiatives led by youth, women, and startups. A committee will be set up to provide these groups with tools to harness new opportunities.
He concluded that the agreement will be activated after ratification by both nations, leading to immediate benefits such as streamlined customs, reduced tariffs, and enhanced market access.
