The UAE inked yet another Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa), this time with Gabon, focusing on SME collaboration and bilateral investment in the agricultural, logistics, and renewable energy sectors, state news agency Wam reports. The Abu Dhabi meeting between the Emirati president and his Gabonese counterpart also saw the signing of an MoU on defense collaboration and the launch of a UAE-Gabon Business Council.

IN CONTEXT- The UAE is currently Africa’s largest FDI source, with over USD 110 bn invested since 2019, while non-oil trade with the continent hit USD 112 bn in 2024, a 34% y-o-y increase. The UAE has also been ramping up its Cepa agenda, with 14 new agreements coming into force last year. So far this year, it inked agreements with Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while an agreement with Japan is reaching its final stages. Negotiations with both the EU and Ecuador are still underway.

ALSO- President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with his Paraguayan counterpart Santiago Peña Palacios to discuss deepening cooperation across infrastructure, technology, AI, and Paraguay’s mining sector, Wam reports. The two also signed MoUs on aviation cooperation and railway networks.

MEANWHILE- The UAE and Armenia signed a services and investment accord aimed at widening market access and boosting cross-border capital flows, Wam reports. Foreign Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said the agreement is intended to optimize access for UAE service exports and boost bilateral investment. The framework targets companies operating in finance, advisory, education, and healthcare, while opening the door to higher levels of foreign direct investment and public-private partnerships, he noted.

DATA POINT- The two countries saw a record USD 4.5 bn in non-oil trade in 2025. The UAE has surpassed Russia to become the largest foreign investor in Armenia.

Tags: