ECI signs MoU with Republic of Chad to strengthen trade and economic cooperation

Government

ECI signs MoU with Republic of Chad to strengthen trade and economic cooperation

Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE’s federal export credit company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Chad to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two nations.

The agreement was formalized during the UAE–Chad Trade and Investment Forum held in Abu Dhabi, which gathered senior officials and government leaders from both countries, including H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade. The MoU was signed by H.E. Raja Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of ECI, and H.E. Tahir Hamid Nguilin, Minister of Finance, Budget, Economy, Planning and International Cooperation of the Republic of Chad.

H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted the growing trade relationship between the UAE and Chad, noting that non-oil bilateral trade reached USD 2.4 billion in the first half of 2025, a 166% increase compared to the same period in 2024, and exceeding the total annual figure of USD 2 billion recorded last year.

“The UAE and the Republic of Chad share a longstanding relationship built on trade and investment ties and a shared vision for prosperity,” said H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi. “This agreement represents another milestone in our partnership and will open new avenues for collaboration across key sectors.”

He added that the partnership supports the UAE’s broader strategy to diversify its economy and expand global trade, particularly with emerging African markets showing strong growth potential.

The MoU provides a framework for cooperation in trade and investment promotion, export credit, and trade risk management. Both parties will work to enhance trade finance and insurance solutions, enabling private sector players from both nations to explore new markets while mitigating cross-border risks.

Commenting on the partnership, H.E. Raja Al Mazrouei said:

“This MoU represents an important step in advancing ECI’s mission to empower UAE exporters and investors by expanding access to promising global markets. It will help de-risk cross-border transactions, promote knowledge exchange, and support joint projects that contribute to sustainable development.”

She added that the collaboration underscores ECI’s role as a catalyst for economic growth and resilience across Africa, promoting sustainable, innovation-driven projects in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and digital transformation.

The partnership aligns with the UAE’s vision to promote South-South cooperation, strengthen financial innovation, and advance economic diversification through trade facilitation — reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in building stronger global trade partnerships, particularly across Africa.