The Head of State and the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo witness the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries
ABU DHABI, 2nd February, 2018 (WAM) – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and His Excellency Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, today witnessed the signing ceremony of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that the agreement represents an important milestone in the path of economic relations between the two countries and embodies the UAE’s consistent approach in building effective development partnerships that achieve economic growth and prosperity for all, in addition to expanding areas of opportunities for future generations.
His Highness expressed his aspiration that the agreement would contribute to creating a qualitative shift in economic cooperation between the two countries by increasing trade and investment flows and stimulating mutual growth, in addition to contributing to achieving their common development aspirations.
The agreement was signed, during the ceremony that took place at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi, by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, and His Excellency Julian Baluku Kahungia, Minister of International Trade of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The agreement aims to reduce customs duties and remove trade barriers, which enhances trade and investment flows and creates opportunities to build new partnerships between the private sectors on both sides within key sectors including mining, agriculture, and clean energy. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s GDP is approximately $70.75 billion, making it among the ten largest economies in Africa. Thanks to its position as a leading global producer of cobalt and a major exporter of essential minerals for the electric vehicle and energy transition sectors, the Democratic Republic of the Congo provides opportunities for the UAE to expand trade in Central and East Africa.
The volume of non-oil trade exchange between the UAE and the Democratic Republic of the Congo reached $2.9 billion in 2025, recording an annual increase of 16.1%. As bilateral trade continues to grow, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is expected to contribute to enhancing economic cooperation, facilitating cross-border investments, and supporting small and medium enterprises in both countries. Through its position as a global trade center, the UAE works to strengthen relations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, thus contributing to achieving common prosperity and sustainable development.
The agreement is an important addition to the network of trade partners of the UAE. Under the umbrella of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements Programme, which was announced during September 2021, the country has so far completed more than 30 agreements, of which 14 agreements have entered into force, embodying its keenness to promote open and rules-based global trade, which would advance economic growth and diversification.
His Highness the President and His Excellency Felix Tshisekedi also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding in the field of investment cooperation in the minerals sector, and a memorandum of understanding between the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and the Congolese Diplomatic Academy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Francophone Affairs, signed on the part of the UAE by His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, and on the Congolese side by His Excellency Luis Kabamba, Minister of Minerals, and Her Excellency Noila Eganagatu Nakweboni. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, in addition to announcing cooperation in the field of maritime transport
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