Africa-Press. The United Arab Emirates and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Félix Tshisekedi.
The agreement establishes a new legal and trade framework linking one of the Gulf’s fastest-growing economies with one of Africa’s most resource-rich countries, opening the door to a new phase of cross-continental economic integration.
Outcome of intensive negotiations
Media sources said the landmark agreement is the result of two years of complex and intensive negotiations. The final document runs to more than 100 pages of detailed provisions covering all aspects of economic cooperation.
Its clauses aim to reduce tariffs, remove bureaucratic barriers for investors, and secure supply chains in key sectors including mining, agriculture, and renewable energy.
Resource sovereignty and the gold challenge
The agreement carries significant political weight through its focus on the mining sector. Congolese Minister of Foreign Trade Julien Paluku said the gold-related contracts are directly intended to strengthen the country’s economic sovereignty.
The deal also seeks to ensure the export of Congolese resources to global markets via the UAE, curbing the ability of rival regional actors to exploit eastern Congo’s wealth and shifting the conflict from armed confrontation toward economic stability and development.
Economic figures and market integration
The partnership is underpinned by strong economic indicators recorded in 2025, with non-oil trade between the two countries rising to $2.9 billion, a growth of 16.1%.
The UAE benefits from the DRC’s GDP of $70.75 billion and the country’s global status as the world’s leading producer of cobalt, a critical component in electric vehicle batteries and the global energy transition.
Consolidating UAE influence in Africa
Analysts say the agreement goes beyond bilateral ties and forms part of a broader strategy to expand Emirati influence across Africa. They view it as a practical extension of the “strategic partnership agreement” signed between Abu Dhabi and Washington in September 2024, which paved the way for a stronger Emirati role as a regional and international player capable of linking Western investment with African resources.
Through this partnership, the UAE reinforces its position as a key gateway for trade with Central and East Africa, leveraging the strategic and logistical backing provided by its major international alliances.
