Kenya and UAE Sign Landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
The partnership is expected to generate extensive benefits for Kenya, including increased export opportunities for goods such as tea, coffee, and flower

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, currently in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), has spearheaded a historic milestone in Kenya-UAE relations with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Photo/Musalia mudavadi.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, currently in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), has spearheaded a historic milestone in Kenya-UAE relations with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The agreement aims to strengthen trade, investment, and economic collaboration between the two nations.
The CEPA is designed to foster preferential and mutually beneficial trade by progressively eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers on most goods traded between Kenya and the UAE.
This move marks the establishment of a robust free trade area, significantly enhancing economic ties and setting the stage for unprecedented growth in bilateral trade.
“This agreement reflects the government’s vision to amplify Kenya’s global influence and create new opportunities for its citizens. By reducing barriers to trade, we are unlocking fresh pathways for economic growth and foreign employment,” Mudavadi remarked.
The partnership is expected to generate extensive benefits for Kenya, including increased export opportunities for goods such as tea, coffee, and flower
The UAE, already one of Kenya’s top trading partners, will serve as a gateway for Kenyan products into the wider Middle Eastern market. Additionally, the CEPA is poised to enhance Kenya’s position as a regional trade hub, attracting foreign direct investment and boosting local industries.
Kenya’s diaspora community in the UAE stands to benefit significantly from the agreement. With remittances from the diaspora already surpassing the combined revenues of tea, coffee, flowers, and tourism, the CEPA seeks to further bolster these vital contributions to Kenya’s economy.
The deal also includes provisions for creating foreign job opportunities, offering more Kenyans access to employment in the UAE.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi expressed gratitude for the warm reception extended by Kenneth Milimo Nganga, Kenya’s Ambassador to the UAE. He emphasized the importance of partnerships like CEPA in achieving Kenya’s long-term economic objectives.
The signing of the agreement aligns with the Kenyan government’s broader strategy to expand its international economic partnerships and drive sustainable development.
By strengthening its ties with the UAE, Kenya is positioning itself as a competitive player on the global stage.
As Kenya and the UAE embark on this new chapter of collaboration, the CEPA is expected to deliver tangible economic benefits, further cementing the longstanding relationship between the two nations.
The deal underscores Kenya’s commitment to fostering global partnerships that support its economic growth and development goals.