The UAE’s CEPA programme is driving record non‑oil exports. In the first half of 2026, non‑oil foreign trade hit AED1.937 trillion, while exports alone reached about AED452.8 billion.
Expanding the CEPA network
Since the launch of the CEPA initiative in September 2021, the UAE has signed a total of 38 agreements with partners across four continents. The network now includes major Asian economies such as India, Indonesia and Türkiye, as well as European partners like Ukraine and Serbia. African outreach has grown through deals with Kenya, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo and other nations.
Recent signings illustrate the programme’s breadth. The UAE‑Gabon CEPA aims to boost trade in agriculture, logistics and renewable energy, while the UAE‑Republic of the Congo CEPA focuses on expanding non‑oil bilateral trade. In East Africa, a CEPA with Kenya seeks to improve market access between the Middle East and East African regions. The UAE‑Ukraine CEPA entered into force on 1 July 2026, and the UAE‑Serbia CEPA has already reduced tariffs on a large share of tariff lines.
Impact on trade figures
Data show that trade with countries where CEPAs are active reached roughly AED304.3 billion in the first half of the year, and UAE exports to those markets amounted to about AED66.1 billion. The headline‑grabbing figure of $123.3 billion in non‑oil exports underscores the monetary scale of the growth, converting the AED452.8 billion export value reported by the source.
Analysts say the expanding partnership network is diversifying the UAE’s export base and enhancing the competitiveness of private‑sector firms. By lowering customs duties and easing trade barriers, the CEPA agreements are expected to sustain the upward trajectory of non‑oil trade and reinforce the country’s role as a global hub for investment.
Frequently asked questions
How many Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements has the UAE signed since 2021?
Since the CEPA initiative launched in September 2021, the UAE has signed a total of 38 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with partners across four continents.
What was the value of UAE non‑oil exports in the first half of 2026?
UAE non‑oil exports reached about AED 452.8 billion (approximately US$123.3 billion) in the first half of 2026.
Which African countries are included in the UAE’s CEPA programme?
The UAE’s CEPA network includes African partners such as Kenya, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo and other East‑African nations.
How much trade did the UAE conduct with CEPA partner countries in the first half of 2026?
Trade with countries where CEPAs are active amounted to roughly AED 304.3 billion, with UAE exports to those markets accounting for about AED 66.1 billion in the first half of the year.
What sectors are targeted by the UAE‑Gabon CEPA?
The UAE‑Gabon CEPA aims to boost trade in agriculture, logistics and renewable‑energy sectors.
