The United Arab Emirates has broadened its economic ambitions, announcing plans to expand into sectors ranging from food production and mining to technology and logistics. UAE Minister of Foreign Trade confirmed on Friday that the country has finalized a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Kenya.

Kenya, East Africa’s largest economy, was among the first African nations to begin trade negotiations with the UAE in 2022, part of the Gulf state’s wider strategy to diversify beyond oil. Non-oil trade between the two countries reached $3.1 billion in 2023, marking a 26.4% increase from the previous year.

Kenya’s Trade Minister welcomed the deal, emphasizing its potential to boost Kenyan exports to key markets in Asia and the Middle East, while also attracting investment to strengthen national industries.

The UAE has already signed CEPAs with Israel, Turkey, India, and Indonesia, and in 2023 concluded its first African agreements with Mauritius and Congo-Brazzaville. The Kenya deal underscores its growing focus on building diverse global trade partnerships.