The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has welcomed the signing of the Nigeria and United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as a decisive policy intervention to strengthen Nigeria’s non-oil sector.
According to a statement signed by its Chairman, Ahmad Sajoh, and Secretary, Danjuma Sada, the agreement aligns squarely with the Renewed Hope Agenda by prioritising export diversification, private-sector expansion, and sustainable job creation.
It said: “Under the CEPA, 7,315 Nigerian products will enjoy preferential, duty-free access to the UAE market. Of this total, 2,805 products (38.3%) receive immediate tariff elimination, while tariffs on 1,468 products will be removed within three years and a further 3,042 products within five years.
“For us, this scale of market access represents one of the most expansive trade openings secured by Nigeria in recent years and provides a concrete pathway for accelerating non-oil exports.
“The agreement’s timing is particularly significant given the growing weight of the non-oil economy. Nigeria’s non-oil sectors now account for approximately 96 per cent of national GDP, underscoring the central role of agriculture, manufacturing, services, and the digital economy in driving growth.
“In recent quarters, the non-oil sector has recorded average growth of about 3.9 per cent, with agriculture expanding by nearly 3.8 per cent, services by over 4 per cent, and ICT by close to 6 per cent, reflecting strong momentum outside hydrocarbons.
“The CEPA directly supports this trajectory. Agricultural producers will benefit from expanded access to products such as fish and seafood, cocoa, grains, spices, cotton, fruits, and nuts, strengthening value chains and rural incomes.
“Manufacturers in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, paper products, footwear, furniture, ceramics, and other light industrial goods will gain from immediate or phased tariff elimination, improving competitiveness and encouraging value-added production. The apparel and textile sector, a major employer, is positioned to scale exports as tariffs on garments and fabrics are progressively removed.
“Beyond goods, the agreement opens significant opportunities in services. Nigerian firms and professionals in the creative industries, ICT, media, tourism, finance, architecture, engineering, consulting, and healthcare now have clearer and more predictable access to the UAE market.
“These provisions support the export of Nigerian expertise, the establishment of commercial presence abroad, and deeper integration into global value chains—particularly for Nigeria’s fast-growing digital and creative economy.
“Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings rose to about $5.46 billion in 2024, a 20.8 per cent year-on-year increase, and continued to grow in 2025, with over $3.2 billion recorded in the first half of the year alone, up nearly 20 per cent from the same period the previous year. The CEPA is expected to build on this momentum by providing Nigerian exporters with a stable, high-value market and improved investment inflows.”
The group also shed some light on the broader diplomatic and strategic importance of the agreement.
“The CEPA signals a renewed phase of engagement between Nigeria and the UAE, anchored in mutual economic interest, confidence, and long-term partnership. It reinforces Nigeria’s standing as a credible investment destination and a gateway to the ECOWAS region and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“We urged Nigerian businesses, exporters, and professionals to proactively position themselves to take advantage of the opportunities created by this agreement, “TSF added.
It noted that with effective implementation and private-sector readiness, the Nigeria–UAE CEPA can serve as a powerful catalyst for non-oil growth, industrial expansion, export earnings, and inclusive economic transformation.
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