Sheikh Mohamed stated the CEPA will drive stronger financial cooperation, stimulate commerce, and broaden funding and coordination between the UAE and Angolan enterprise communities.
He confused that the settlement is a vital step in strengthening the UAE’s partnerships with African nations that share its imaginative and prescient for progress and sustainability.
UAE-Angola commerce
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Overseas Commerce, stated the settlement expands the UAE’s attain into Sub-Saharan and West African markets, that are in search of to speed up growth by way of funding and partnerships.
He famous Angola’s younger inhabitants, ample pure assets, and 2024 GDP progress of 4.4 per cent make it one of many area’s most promising economies.
Bilateral non-oil commerce reached $2.17bn in 2024, up 2.6 per cent from 2023. UAE non-oil exports to Angola stood at $135.6m, whereas bilateral non-oil commerce in H1 2025 hit $1.4bn, a 29.7 per cent rise year-on-year.
The UAE’s primary imports from Angola in 2024 included diamonds, gold, copper, and grains, which accounted for 99.8 per cent of imports.
UAE exports to Angola included petroleum distillates, iron and metal, faucets and valves, metallic constructions, cigarettes, and perfumes — collectively comprising 50 per cent of the UAE’s exports.
Re-exports primarily consisted of autos, vehicles, spare components, and mechanical elements, additionally representing 50 per cent of whole re-exports.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted main UAE corporations already investing in Angola:
- Masdar is growing a 150 MW solar energy venture to supply renewable power to 90,000 houses
- Dubai Investments is developing the Dubai Investments Park – Angola over 2,000 hectares
- AD Ports Group has begun working a multipurpose terminal on the Port of Luanda
He stated: “The CEPA with Angola is a key pillar in attaining the UAE’s financial objectives. Overseas commerce is a primary driver of progress, with the UAE aiming to extend the worth of international commerce to AED4tn ($1.1t) by 2031 and to double exports in the identical interval.”
The settlement is forecast to boost bilateral non-oil commerce above $10 billion yearly by 2033, add about $1bn to the GDP of each international locations, and create practically 30,000 jobs.
It would cut back tariffs, reduce commerce boundaries, enhance customs effectivity, and open new markets for companies and digital commerce.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi added that the CEPA will allow as much as $993.6m in further Angolan imports (together with glass, fish, fruits, and optical items) and permit United Arab Emirates exports to extend by as much as $235m (equipment, electrical tools, plastics, rubber, chemical substances, and metals).
The settlement additionally strengthens cooperation in companies sectors similar to logistics, development, engineering, finance, telecommunications, healthcare, and tourism, which already account for practically 40 per cent of Angola’s GDP.
It additional gives assist for SMEs by decreasing restrictions, opening collaboration between export hubs, accelerators, and incubators, and creating alternatives for youth-, women-, and startup-owned companies.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi confirmed that the CEPA will take impact as soon as ratified by each governments, with fast advantages anticipated by way of decrease tariffs, streamlined customs, and higher market entry.
