The UAE just signed its 35th CEPA, this time with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Non-oil trade between them hit $2.9 billion in the first nine months of 2025, up 16% year-over-year. But look past the ceremony and focus on what’s actually being locked in.
The Critical Metal Play
DRC produces over 70% of the world’s cobalt. Every EV battery, every data center backup system, every grid-scale energy storage project needs it. The UAE already has a $1.9 billion mining partnership there from 2023, plus active projects in copper and gold. This CEPA removes tariffs on 99.5% of UAE exports and 98% of Congolese exports over five years. That’s not symbolic; it’s margin expansion for existing operations and easier entry for new ones.
Infrastructure as Strategic Lock-In
AD Ports Group signed terms to develop Matadi Port. DP World is building Banana Port to handle the world’s largest container ships. When you control logistics infrastructure and trade agreements, you’re embedding yourself into supply chains. DRC’s cobalt production should hit 247.7 kilotonnes in 2026, up 4.4%. That volume needs efficient routes, and UAE entities are building them.
The Broader Game
The UAE signed with Sierra Leone the same week. Non-oil trade just crossed $1 trillion for the first time, hitting 2031 targets five years early. They’re methodically securing early-mover positions across Africa’s resource-rich economies while competitors debate ESG committees.
When governments remove friction and infrastructure follows capital, watch where the metal flows.
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