UAE Accelerates Global Trade Strategy with Dual CEPA Signings in Colombia and Mauritius

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has significantly accelerated its global economic integration by signing two separate Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) with Colombia and Mauritius. According to reports from Reuters and Bloomberg, these bilateral pacts are part of the UAE’s broader strategic initiative to diversify its economic partnerships, lower investment barriers, and substantially boost its non-oil trade across South America and Africa.

On August 16, 2026, the UAE and Colombia officially signed their CEPA, marking a major step forward in transcontinental trade. As reported by Reuters and Gulf News, this bilateral agreement is designed to eliminate or significantly reduce tariffs on approximately 97% of tariff lines, facilitating smoother and more cost-effective trade in both goods and services. The official news agency WAM noted that the pact focuses on expanding bilateral cooperation and investment in several key sectors, including agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, and tourism. The ultimate goal of the agreement is to double non-oil bilateral trade between the UAE and Colombia within the next five years.

Just one day later, on August 17, 2026, the UAE finalized another landmark agreement by signing a CEPA with Mauritius. Bloomberg reports that this agreement represents the UAE’s first-ever bilateral trade deal with an African nation, signaling a major milestone in the Gulf country’s economic outreach. The UAE-Mauritius CEPA is structured to accelerate trade in goods and services, lower barriers to foreign direct investment, and foster joint ventures between businesses in both nations. According to Gulf Business and WAM, key sectors expected to benefit from this partnership include financial services, telecommunications, professional services, and tourism, aligning with the UAE’s long-term strategy to expand its economic footprint across the African continent.

Together, these two agreements highlight the UAE’s proactive approach to establishing robust trade corridors outside of its traditional regional markets. By targeting high-growth sectors such as renewable energy, financial services, and agriculture, the UAE is positioning itself as a central hub for global trade and investment. These CEPAs not only provide UAE businesses with expanded access to emerging markets in Latin America and Africa but also offer partner nations a gateway to the capital-rich Gulf region, fostering a more interconnected global economy.