Gabon is accelerating efforts to expand economic and investment cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with both countries reporting strong trade growth and a shared focus on unlocking opportunities in mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, food security and logistics.
UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi met Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in Libreville in early September to advance the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The leaders focused on converting the CEPA framework into active projects across renewable energy, mining, logistics, food security, and technology, according to UAE Barq.
President Nguema reaffirmed Gabon’s commitment to deepening trade and investment links with the UAE and stressed the importance of leveraging Emirati expertise to support the country’s economic development plans.
Al Zeyoudi described Gabon as a “growing trade and investment partner for the UAE in Africa” and said the agreement provides a clear pathway to accelerate commerce and open new investment doors.
During the visit, leading the UAE delegation, Al Zeyoudi attended the official opening of the SOLEN solar power plant in Aimé Plaine, and also visited the Nok Private Investment Zone.
Non-oil trade between the UAE and Gabon reached $320.6 million in 2025, more than double the level recorded in 2021, while UAE non-oil exports to Gabon grew 27% year-on-year to $61.1 million.
In the first half of 2026 alone, bilateral non-oil trade hit $141.7 million, with UAE non-oil exports more than doubling to $62.7 million compared with the same period in 2025. Key Emirati export categories include perfumes and consumer goods, petroleum distillates and industrial equipment, reflecting both consumer demand and infrastructure-related needs.
In February, the two nations signed the CEPA program in Abu Dhabi, designed to cut tariffs, remove trade barriers and channel more investment into key sectors including agriculture, logistics, mining and renewable energy. For Gabon, the partnership offers a route to bolster its national economy, attract Emirati investment, and strengthen its presence in regional and international markets.
Since its launch in September 2021, the UAE’s CEPA program has concluded agreements with economies across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, in support of the country’s goals of promoting sustainable trade and investment. The UAE remains the continent’s largest source of new foreign direct investment, with over US$110 billion invested across Africa between 2019 and 2024.
