The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Mozambique have concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aiming to boost bilateral trade, investment and cooperation across key economic sectors…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The final terms of the agreement were announced in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Mozambique President Daniel Francisco Chapo, who is on an official visit to the UAE.
The announcement was made by UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Mozambique’s Minister of Economy Basílio Zefanias Muhate.
Once signed, ratified and brought into force, the agreement will reduce customs duties, remove trade barriers and expand market access while providing a stable framework for investment.
Al Zeyoudi described the conclusion of negotiations as an important milestone in the UAE’s efforts to expand its trade and investment partnerships across Africa.
He said the agreement reflected both countries’ commitment to strengthening economic relations and promoting sustainable growth.
Mozambique’s economic potential and strategic location in East Africa offered significant opportunities for cooperation, he added.
Al Zeyoudi said the partnership would improve market access for goods and services, encourage mutual investment and create opportunities in priority sectors. It would also strengthen supply chains and support businesses seeking to expand internationally.
Bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and Mozambique reached approximately $2.6 billion in 2025, marking a 91.6 per cent increase compared with 2024 and nearly five times the value recorded in 2019.
The growth has continued in 2026, with non-oil trade reaching $2.5 billion during the first nine months, an increase of 49 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Muhate said the agreement would mark a new phase in bilateral relations, helping Mozambican producers access international markets through the UAE while encouraging Emirati investment in agro-processing, industry and infrastructure.
The agreement is expected to create opportunities for cooperation in energy, logistics, agriculture, food security, mining, critical minerals and manufacturing.
It builds on existing UAE investments in Mozambique, including XRG’s 10 per cent stake in the Area 4 concession of the Rovuma Basin.
Dubai-based DP World’s involvement in expanding the Port of Maputo, an important trade gateway in Southern Africa, also forms part of the growing economic partnership.
The CEPA programme is a key part of the UAE’s foreign trade strategy. Launched in September 2021, it aims to expand the country’s economic partnerships with promising markets across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
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