United Arab Emirates and Democratic Republic of Congo Sign Broad Trade Agreement

UAE-DRC

The United Arab Emirates and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a sweeping economic partnership agreement that aimed to deepen trade and investment ties between the oil-rich Gulf state and one of Africa’s most resource-rich nations.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA, was formalized in a ceremony at Qasr Al Shati in the UAE capital, witnessed by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE and President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The accord is designed to reduce tariffs, eliminate trade barriers and expand opportunities for private sector cooperation across key sectors, including mining, agriculture and renewable energy.

Officials from both countries described the pact as a milestone in their economic relationship. UAE officials stated that the agreement would facilitate investment flows and create new commercial opportunities. At the same time, Congolese leaders framed it as part of a broader effort to diversify their economy beyond traditional commodity exports.

Under the agreement, Congolese exporters will gain enhanced access to the UAE market for thousands of goods, including minerals such as cobalt that are critical to the global electric vehicle industry and the transition to clean energy. The Democratic Republic of Congo is among the world’s leading producers of these materials, giving it strategic leverage in international supply chains.

The pact comes as non-oil trade between the UAE and the Democratic Republic of Congo has been rising steadily. In the first nine months of 2025, bilateral non-oil commerce was valued at nearly $2.9 billion, a year-over-year increase of more than 16 percent, according to government figures.

In addition to tariff reductions, the CEPA includes provisions aimed at safeguarding cross-border investment and enhancing cooperation on infrastructure and logistics. Both sides also announced memorandums of understanding related to mining sector investment, diplomatic training exchanges and maritime transport projects.

Economic officials from Kinshasa said the agreement could help the Democratic Republic of Congo more than double trade with the UAE to an estimated $10 billion by 2030, expanding commercial flows beyond raw resource exports and laying the groundwork for deeper economic integration across Africa and the Middle East.

For the UAE, which has aggressively pursued trade agreements as part of a strategy to expand its non-oil economic footprint, the pact underscores its ambitions to become a global hub for diversified commerce. The agreement also complements other efforts by the Gulf state to secure sources of critical minerals and strengthen supply chain resilience in an era of geopolitical competition.

Analysts said the deal reflects shifting economic dynamics across Africa and the Middle East, where countries are increasingly forging strategic partnerships centered on infrastructure, technology and energy transition markets.