UAE, Benin leaders discuss ways to enhance bilateral ties

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Romuald Wadagni, President of the Republic of Benin, on Sunday discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties, with a focus on the economic and investment fields.

Welcoming President Wadagni, who is on a working visit to the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed expressed his hope that the visit would further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in support of their shared development priorities and the prosperity of both peoples.

The two sides affirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations and exploring further opportunities for cooperation, particularly in renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure and food security.

The meeting also addressed the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, to be hosted in the UAE in December, highlighting its role in advancing international efforts to address water challenges, improve water management and ensure the sustainability of water resources.

Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s interest in strengthening development cooperation with countries across Africa, including Benin, and in building sustainable partnerships that contribute to long-term growth and prosperity.

 The meeting was attended by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President; several ministers and officials. It was also attended by the delegation accompanying the President of Benin, which included a number of ministers and officials.

Sheikh Mohamed and President Wadagni also witnessed the exchange of the UAE-Benin Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The agreement opens a more ambitious phase of trade and investment cooperation between the two countries and will support stronger trade and investment flows, expand opportunities for collaboration between their business communities, and advance mutual economic growth.

Sheikh Mohamed affirmed that the agreement represents a milestone in relations between the UAE and Benin, embodying their shared commitment to building economic and development partnerships that benefit the peoples of both nations.

Sheikh Mohamed stated: “The relationship between the UAE and the Republic of Benin is founded on a shared belief in dialogue, partnership, and the role of international cooperation in advancing sustainable development. This agreement marks a significant milestone in our bilateral relations and reflects our common ambition to achieve long-term development aims, create new opportunities for our business communities, strengthen economic resilience, and contribute to prosperity and stability in our regions. We look forward to building on these foundations and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest in the years ahead.”

For his part, President Wadagni welcomed the exchange of the agreement, emphasising its importance in advancing bilateral economic cooperation and achieving shared sustainable development objectives.

The agreement was exchanged by Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, and Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade, in charge of Industry and Private Investment Promotion for the Republic of Benin, during an official exchange ceremony in Abu Dhabi.

Following the completion of ratification procedures and the agreement’s entry into force, the UAE-Benin CEPA will reduce or eliminate customs duties on a wide range of goods, remove unnecessary barriers to trade, and improve market access for service providers and investors.

These measures will strengthen supply chains and support increased trade and investment flows between the two countries.

The agreement builds on strong momentum in the UAE-Benin trade relationship. Bilateral non-oil trade reached $2.15 billion in 2025, an increase of 65% compared to 2024 and more than double the 41.01 billion recorded in 2021.

This momentum continued in the first half of 2026, with bilateral non-oil trade reaching $1.29 billion, a year-on-year increase of 37.4%.

 The CEPA with Benin represents an important addition to the UAE’s network of trade partnerships and will further consolidate the country’s position as a global hub for trade, investment, and logistics.

The CEPA programme is a key pillar of the UAE’s foreign trade agenda. Since its launch in September 2021, the programme has expanded the UAE’s network of trade partnerships worldwide, reflecting the country’s commitment to open, rules-based trade as a driver of economic growth and diversification and as a means of creating new opportunities for businesses in high-growth markets around the world.

 Sheikh Mohamed and President Wadagni also witnessed the announcement of the following memoranda of understanding, cooperation protocols, and related instruments:

* Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations between the two countries

* Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Joint Committee on Consular Affairs

* Memorandum of Understanding between the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Benin

* Letter of Intent on Data Hosting and Information Systems

* Memorandum of Understanding on Workforce Cooperation and Cooperation Protocol on Domestic Workers

* Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Government Experience Exchange

* Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Investment Partnership

The memoranda and cooperation protocols were exchanged on behalf of the UAE by Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation; and Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment.

On behalf of Benin, the memoranda and cooperation protocols were exchanged by Corinne Amori Brunet, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Hugues Oscar Lokossou, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of External Resource Mobilisation and Debt Management; Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade, in charge of Industry and Private Investment Promotion; and Mahuna Akplogan, Minister of Digital Transformation and Innovation, in charge of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.

 WAM