UAE and Benin Chart Course for Deepened Trade and Investment Partnership

A landmark business roundtable brings together government officials and private sector leaders from both nations to unlock fresh opportunities under their newly signed comprehensive economic agreement.

The Ministry of Foreign Trade, working alongside the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, convened a business roundtable in October to explore the rich possibilities emerging from the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Benin. The gathering brought together senior figures from both nations, signalling a shared determination to translate diplomatic ties into tangible commercial partnerships.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, positioned Benin as one of West Africa’s most dynamic economies, with growth hovering around 7.5 percent and considerable scope across manufacturing, infrastructure and investment sectors. He noted that non-oil trade between the two countries surged 63.5 percent in 2025, reaching approximately US$2.15 billion, a figure that speaks to the genuine momentum building between them.

The Beninese delegation, led by Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade, in charge of Industry and Private Investment Promotion, and Corinne Amori Brunet, Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasised their nation’s robust fiscal policies and strategic position as a gateway to West African markets with a combined population exceeding 400 million. Bakari extended a direct invitation to UAE companies to explore the investment terrain, viewing the partnership not merely as a transaction but as the opening chapter in sustained economic cooperation.

The CEPA framework, as Al Zeyoudi explained, provides the scaffolding for deeper engagement by reducing tariffs, simplifying trade procedures and creating pathways for small and medium-sized enterprises to access opportunities in both markets. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Deputy Director of African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted particular promise in technology, renewable energy, logistics and agriculture, sectors where UAE expertise and Beninese opportunity converge naturally.

Khalid bin Hadi, a member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s Board of Directors, drew attention to specific domains where partnership could flourish: food processing, light manufacturing, construction materials, logistics and technology. He observed that Abu Dhabi’s sophisticated infrastructure and international business connectivity, allied with Benin’s emerging industrial capacity and West African access, provides fertile ground for ventures supporting economic diversification and regional integration. The Abu Dhabi Chamber and its Beninese counterpart had already signed a memorandum of understanding in 2022, laying the groundwork for this more robust collaboration.

The roundtable reflected a broader pattern, as the UAE continues to strengthen its engagement across promising African markets. The agreement underscores the private sector’s essential role in translating policy into projects, with both nations calling for sustained business dialogue and continued economic delegations to nurture relationships and identify concrete opportunities for growth.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This partnership signals Abu Dhabi’s deliberate positioning as a bridge between the UAE and Africa’s most dynamic regions. By leveraging the CEPA framework and the chamber’s existing relationships, Abu Dhabi’s businesses can gain footholds in West African markets whilst helping Beninese counterparts access global supply chains and expertise. The emphasis on sectors including manufacturing, logistics and renewable energy aligns with Abu Dhabi’s own economic diversification priorities.

The scale of opportunity is substantial. Benin’s position within West Africa, combined with its rapid economic expansion and a regional consumer base of over 400 million people, presents considerable scope for UAE companies seeking to expand their African footprint. For Abu Dhabi specifically, the agreement reinforces the emirate’s reputation as a trusted partner for countries seeking to accelerate their economic development through strategic international collaboration.

Source: WAM