UAE–DRC Sign Landmark CEPA to Boost Trade, Investment Ties

In the presence of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UAE and DRC have officially strengthened their economic ties by signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stated that the agreement represents a major milestone in bilateral relations and reflects the UAE’s commitment to building sustainable development partnerships that promote economic growth, prosperity, and future opportunities for coming generations.

The UAE President expressed confidence that the CEPA will significantly enhance economic cooperation between the two nations by increasing trade volumes, encouraging investment flows, and supporting shared development objectives.

The agreement was signed at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi by His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, and His Excellency Julien Paluku Kahongya, Minister for International Trade of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Under the CEPA, tariffs will be reduced and trade barriers removed, paving the way for stronger private-sector collaboration across key sectors such as mining, agriculture, clean energy, and infrastructure.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, with an estimated GDP of USD 70.75 billion, ranks among Africa’s top ten economies. As a global leader in cobalt production and a key supplier of critical minerals essential for electric vehicles and energy transition technologies, the DRC offers strategic access to markets across Central and Eastern Africa.

UAE-DRC non-oil trade reached USD 2.9 billion during the first nine months of 2025, reflecting a 16.1 percent year-on-year increase. With trade relations already on a strong growth trajectory, the CEPA is expected to further enhance cross-border investments and create new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in both countries.

The agreement aligns with the UAE’s ambitious foreign trade strategy, which aims to increase non-oil foreign trade to USD 1.1 trillion by 2031. To date, the UAE’s CEPA programme has concluded over 30 agreements, with 14 already in force, reinforcing the country’s commitment to open and rules-based global trade.

During the ceremony, the leaders also witnessed the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), including an agreement on investment cooperation in the mining sector, as well as an MoU between the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and the Congolese Diplomatic Academy.

The MoUs were signed on behalf of the UAE by His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, and on behalf of the DRC by His Excellency Louis Kabamba, Minister of Mines, and Her Excellency Noëlla Ayeganagato Nakwipone, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Both sides also announced cooperation in the field of maritime transport, further deepening bilateral ties.