The UAE and Gabon are exploring upgrading their trade and investment ties under the umbrella of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

2 hours ago

3 minutes read

Libreville – Gabon, February 17 / WAM / His Excellency Brice Olegé Nguema, President of the Republic of Gabon, received His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, at the presidential headquarters in the capital, Libreville, as part of the visit made by His Excellency and his accompanying delegation to Gabon.

During the meeting, His Excellency Al Zeyoudi conveyed the greetings of the wise leadership of the UAE to His Excellency Brice Olegé Nguema, President of the Republic of Gabon, and its wishes for the leadership and people of Gabon for further prosperity, progress and prosperity.

His Excellency Al-Zeyoudi headed a delegation of officials and business leaders on an official visit to Gabon with the aim of strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties under the umbrella of the comprehensive economic partnership agreement that the two countries officially signed on February 7th.

During the visit, His Excellency and the accompanying delegation held a series of meetings with ministers and senior officials in Gabon. These meetings took place with His Excellency Arthur Lemami, Director of the Presidential Office, His Excellency Thierry Menkou, Minister of Economy and Finance, His Excellency Soustin Nguema, Minister of Mines and Geological Resources, His Excellency Clotaire Konga, Minister of Oil and Gas, His Excellency Philippe Tonangui, Minister of Energy, His Excellency Bakum Kossi, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, and His Excellency Elsa Ayo Ibesse. Bivego, Minister of Health, and His Excellency Marc-Alexandre Dumba, Minister of Digital Economy, Digital Transformation and Innovation.

The two sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in priority sectors, and the discussions focused on enhancing bilateral economic cooperation, strengthening trade ties, and supporting partnership between the private sectors in the two countries.

During the meetings, ways to develop trade exchange, support increased investments, and enhance cooperation between the business communities in the two countries were discussed.

The two sides also reviewed the progress made in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and identified practical steps to enhance trade connectivity and align economic priorities.

The discussions also addressed opportunities to enhance cooperation in the fields of agriculture, logistics, renewable energy, and digital trade, in line with the UAE’s strategy to diversify the economy and its focus on expanding its trade and investment relations with African partners. By continuing cooperation, the UAE seeks to strengthen long-term economic interdependence with its main partners, including Gabon.

His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi said that the visit to Gabon comes at a time when bilateral trade and investment relations are witnessing tangible progress following the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

He stressed that the meetings that took place during the visit, with the participation and presence of business leaders from both sides, reflect the mutual keenness to expand trade and investment horizons, and the common will to enhance cooperation in priority sectors and consolidate trade ties to achieve mutual growth. It also translates the UAE’s commitment to deepening this partnership and pushing long-term cooperation with Gabon to broader horizons.

He added that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Gabon supports these efforts by providing a clear framework that contributes to facilitating the movement of trade and investment, stressing the continuation of joint work to implement the agreement in line with common economic priorities.

The visit of His Excellency Al Zeyoudi and his accompanying business delegation to Gabon comes within the “Emirates Trade and Investment Days” initiative, which aims to implement a series of promotional missions and business meetings in selected markets around the world, within the framework of the “UAE is a global center for trade” program, which was approved by the Council of Ministers last November, and is implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Trade, in partnership with a number of ministries, federal and local authorities, and chambers of commerce. The visit also comes in implementation of the UAE’s broader strategy to deepen trade ties with rapidly growing African markets. and strengthening long-term partnerships across the continent.

Joint efforts to advance trade and investment relations between the UAE and Gabon are based on a solid base in light of the trade boom between them over the past years, as intra-oil non-oil trade reached 320.7 million US dollars in 2025, double the level recorded in 2021. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is expected to contribute to supporting this path by enhancing access to markets.

At the conclusion of the visit, the two sides affirmed their commitment to continue deepening their trade and investment ties, and strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships, while emphasizing the importance of ongoing dialogue in translating common priorities into tangible results.

The visiting UAE delegation to Gabon included representatives of a number of companies active in important sectors including agriculture, energy, mining, health, defence, aviation, maritime transport, logistics services, and others.