News in Brief

High-Level Ethiopian Delegation led by Finance Minister Visits China

Ethiopian Embassy and CIPA Organize Ethiopia-China Investment Forum in Beijing

Ethiopia Stands in Solidarity with the Government and People of Türkiye

Ethiopia and India’s Parliamentarians Share Experiences

Africa and the African Union

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has called for Africa-led solutions as a key imperative to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa. She made the remarks while addressing the Ninth Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-9), which is underway from February 28 to March 2 in a hybrid format in Niamey, the capital of Niger, and online, said the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), one of the co-organizers of the forum, in a statement late Tuesday. The UN deputy chief also called for greater leadership, commitment and investment in achieving the SDGs in Africa.

Africa needs a paradigm shift to deliver sustainable development by making a fresh commitment and increasing investment to realize the SDGs, the Economic Commission for Africa’s Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist, Hanan Morsy, urged African states. “A big part in our quest to deliver the SDGs, we need a new paradigm, we need to accelerate action and we need to deliver green and inclusive recovery from the impact of multi crises, which have beset the world,” Ms. Morsy said in closing remarks at the 2023 African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) which ended on Thursday (February 02) in Niamey, Niger.

Rapid population growth, urbanization and poor water resource management are threatening access to clean water in Africa, according to the highlights of a report on the 2023 Africa Sustainable Development by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The report was presented at the High level panel: From Africa to the 2023 high-level political forum on sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals Summit – priorities to address multiple crises and accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 at the Ninth session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-9) in Niamey, Niger .

On February 27, 2023, the Africa CDC, in collaboration with Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD), launched a 3-day training on molecular diagnosis of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD). The training workshop targeted 10 participants from 5 African Union (AU) Member States: Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo.

Ethiopia

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched today (March 03) the national campaign for tax and customs law compliance, prepared by the Ministry of Revenue and Customs Commission, the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed. According to the PM Office, it aims to encourage citizens to abide by established rules and regulations. “Creating a poverty free nation is possible through our collective efforts of hard work, patience, and compliance with national laws. As we launch the tax and customs laws compliance national campaign today, gratitude to all tax payers that have been truthfully dispensing their national obligation”, Prime Minister Abiy said during the launching ceremony.

Ethiopians gathered in Addis Ababa on Thursday (March 02) to celebrate the 127th anniversary of the Battle of Adwa, where Ethiopian forces defeated the Italian army trying to invade from the north in 1896.  President Sahle-Work Zewde and her entourage joined the masses, where many donned traditional dress.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, has addressed the Summit-Level Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Contact Group in response to COVID-19 on post-pandemic global recovery. The Summit-Level Meeting has kicked off on Wednesday (March 01) in Baku, Azerbaijan. He reiterated the commendable strides taken to respond to post-pandemic challenges that the Non-Aligned Movement has taken since the outbreak of the pandemic, stressing that Member States must build upon these efforts and follow-up with concerted post-COVID recovery measures.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan to attend the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement Contact Group in response to COVID-19 has met with Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov. The sides discussed prospects for cooperation between the two countries in economic, trade, and humanitarian spheres.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, discussed with the Deputy Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan and Serbia. Demeke is participating in the Summit-Level Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Contact Group in response to COVID19 on post-pandemic global recovery that started on Wednesday (March 01) in Baku, Azerbaijan. On the margins of the NAM summit, Demeke discussed with officials of Kazakhstan and Serbia ways to strengthen Ethiopia’s bilateral cooperation with those countries.

A high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Ahmed Shide, the Minister of Finance of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, paid a visit to China from February 20–27, 2023. The Ethiopian delegation included Mamo Miheretu, Governor of the National Bank; Lelise Nami, Commissioner of the Investment Commission; Dr. Eyob Tekalegn, State Minister of the Ministry of Finance; and Dr. Brook Taye, Director General of the Capital Market Authority, among others. (See article)

Ethiopia wants to attract even more additional investment from China in various sectors, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide told the media while visiting China (February 20–27). According to him, currently, Chinese investors are one of the major investors in Ethiopia in various areas. “We would like to consolidate those investments, we would like to attract many more investments from China, and Ethiopia is also looking forward to attracting all investors from all over the world,”, Ahmed said. With a population of 120 million and the fastest-growing economy, as well as ongoing and deepening economic reform, Ethiopia offers a comprehensive investment opportunity for international investors, he added.

On February 25, 2023, the Ethiopian Embassy in Beijing organized the High-level Ethiopia-China Investment Forum in collaboration with the Chinese Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA). In the forum, the Ethiopian delegation visiting China, the Director General of CIPA, and more than 180 CEOs, General Managers and professionals from 62 Chinese anchor companies participated. (See article)

More than 70 businessmen have signed up for the historic trade delegation flying to Addis Ababa on March 5 to explore business and investment opportunities, said the Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan, Jemal Beker Abdula, on Tuesday (February 28). “We are going to make history as the number of delegates we are expecting may cross the mark of 100 before the deadline for registration, which is March 1,” said the ambassador while addressing reporters in Pakistan, which was entirely focused on the five-day business trip to Ethiopia.

Continuing with its impressive international route expansion, Ethiopian Airlines is set to operate yet another route between New York and Côte d’Ivoire starting on May 23. The airline will resume the flight between New York JFK International Airport and Felix Houphouet Boigny International Airport in Côte d’Ivoire. This route was launched in June 2019 but suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Passengers flying from Ethiopia to New York can also board this flight, as it will originate from the airline’s hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

On February 6, 2023, a devastating earthquake hit cities in the southern part of Türkiye resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of lives and extensive damage to property. In its wake, the Türkiye Government has officially appealed to the international community for assistance in the search and rescue as well as emergency medical operations. Following the appeal, the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia responded on February 18, 2023, and deployed a 27-member search and rescue team along with 40 metric tons (MT) of blankets and tents. The team was deployed to the Hatay area in southern Türkiye to assist with the rescue operations. (See article)

A 50-member Ethiopian parliamentary delegation led by Mihretu Shanko Gidi paid a visit to the Indian Parliament from February 20 to 25, 2023. The Parliamentary delegation, which included Government Chief Whips, Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Standing Committees, and Presidents of 12 Regional State Parliaments, traveled to New Delhi for a training program hosted by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE). (See article)

Dr. Gedion Timothewos, the Minister of Justice of Ethiopia, addressed the United Nations-Human Rights Council on Wednesday (February 28) at the ongoing 52nd regular session, which started on February 27, 2023, in Geneva. The Minister also highlighted the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities signed in Pretoria and the collaboration with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. He further reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Ethiopia to ensure accountability for violations of human rights and humanitarian law, including the robust implementation of the Peace Agreement.

Eritrea

President Isaias Afwerki returned home in the mid-morning hours of Thursday (March 02) after a fruitful two-day working visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. At the meeting President Isaias Afwerki and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia held on Wednesday, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia agreed on a broad framework and spectrum of bilateral partnership that will enhance the current and future interests of both countries. President Isaias Afwerki conducted the two-day working visit on the invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Kenya

President William Ruto has said the number of recruits joining the National Youth Service will double beginning next year. Speaking on Friday (March 03) during the National Youth Service’s 86th passing out parade in Gilgil, Ruto said the Youth Service will recruit 20,000 from the 10,000 that the institution currently takes in. ” We want to enhance the annual intake from 10,000 to 20,000 youths. We will double the number of recruits that will come in here next year. Once we have assessed the facilities that we require to make that possible,” the Head of State said.

Somalia

The three neighboring countries of Somalia are to send new troops to support Somali forces against al-Shabab in the next phase of military operations, the national security adviser for the Somali president said. In an interview with VOA’s Somali Service on Wednesday (March 1), Hussein Sheikh-Ali said Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya will be sending troops in addition to the soldiers they already have serving as part of the African Transitional Mission in Somalia, or ATMIS. He said the new troops would not be part of the ATMIS mission.

U.S. offers a $5 million bounty for information on Al-Shabab spokesman. The reward notice was issued under the State Department Rewards for Justice Program, which said in a statement that Ali. Muhammad Rage has been Al-Shabaab’s chief spokesperson since May 2009 and is a senior leader of the Somalia-based jihadist group. Rage was born in the Hawlwadag district of Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1966 and is blamed for Shabaab attacks in Kenya and Somalia. “Rage has helped plan attacks in Kenya and Somalia,” the US State Department Rewards for Justice said Tuesday (February 28).

Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Qatar, Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed Al Thani, met on Wednesday (March 1) with Minister of Environment and Climate Change of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Khadija Mohamed Almakhzoumi, and her accompanying delegation visiting the country. The meeting discussed ways to enhance joint cooperation between the State of Qatar and Somalia, especially in the environment sector, and to further benefit from successful experiences in both countries to preserve the environment and achieve sustainable development.

Representatives of Qatar, Somalia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America met in Washington, D.C. to discuss Somalia’s security, state-building, development, and humanitarian priorities. The partners, according to the statement issued on Tuesday (February 28) expressed support for the Federal Government of Somalia’s focus on counterterrorism and capacity building. “They discussed how to better support Somalia’s fight against al-Shabaab and prepare for the African Union Transition Mission’s drawdown in Somalia and agreed to strengthen coordination of international security assistance.”

The United States is increasing its military assistance to Somalia as the country sees success in battling what the U.S. calls “the largest and most deadly al-Qaida network in the world.” Sixty-one tons of weapons and ammunition arrived Tuesday (February 28) in Mogadishu, the U.S. said in a statement of support for a historic Somalia-led military offensive against al-Shabab extremists that has recaptured dozens of communities since August.

Three people died and eight others were injured when a helicopter operated by the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia crashed on Saturday in the country’s Lower Shabelle region, the mission said in a statement on Sunday (February 26). It did not give any details on casualties, including their nationality, but said investigations had begun to determine the cause of the crash.

South Sudan

The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday (March 01) it approved about $114.8 million in emergency funding support for South Sudan, where millions are facing food insecurity. “This emergency financing under the Food Shock Window will help South Sudan address food insecurity while maintaining social and growth-enhancing spending,” it said in a statement.

South Sudan’s Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA) will resume parliamentary sessions on March 27 after a four-month recess, according to a lawmaker. Rt. Hon. Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, First Deputy Speaker of the R-TNLA, said several bills are expected to be presented before the House during this session of Parliament. “According to our calendar, the session of parliament commences on the first Monday of April, and I think the 27^th of March is not far away from the first Monday of April,” Oyet told reporters during a press briefing on Monday (February 27).

Sudan

A peace and development conference between senior officials of Ethiopia’s Benishangul Gumuz region and Sudan’s Blue Nile state has started on Thursday (March 01) in Ad-Damazin city, the capital city of Sudan’s Blue Nile state. The conference is being attended by high-level officials, including the Presidents of the Benishangul Gumuz region, Ashadli Hassan, and of the Blue Nile State, General Muhammad Al-Omda. Being held under the theme “peace, development, and good neighborliness”, the conference will discuss issues of peace, security, and development activities carried out jointly in the past between the two states.

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High-Level Ethiopian Delegation led by Finance Minister Visits China

A high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Ahmed Shide, the Minister of Finance of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, paid a visit to China from February 20–27, 2023. The Ethiopian delegation included Mamo Miheretu, Governor of the National Bank; Lelise Nami, Commissioner of the Investment Commission; Dr. Eyob Tekalegn, State Minister of the Ministry of Finance; and Dr. Brook Taye, Director General of the Capital Market Authority, among others.

Ahmed Shide and Li Fei, Assistant Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, met to co-chair the Ethiopia-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission meeting on February 21, 2023. During the discussion, Ahmed Shide highlighted the two countries’ long-standing relationship of more than half a century and indicated China’s significant role in Ethiopia’s economy as its top trade and investment partner. The Minister underscored that Chinese enterprises have significantly invested in Ethiopia in diverse sectors, including industrial parks, processing, manufacturing, construction, and so forth.

Mr. Li Fei, on his side, expressed China’s commitment to encourage Chinese enterprises to increase imports of Ethiopia’s competitive products. He indicated that China’s new preferential policy for zero-tariff treatment on 98% of taxable items that Ethiopia will enjoy from March 1, 2023, will lead to tangible benefits from the two countries strengthened economic ties.

Following their discussion, Ahmed Shide and Li Fei signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish an investment and economic cooperation working group aimed at jointly boosting bilateral economic and trade relations in strategic fields. It is indicated that the new Working Group under the signed MoU will help both countries to accomplish their commitment to efficiently implement the development strategies of the “Nine Programs” of the eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road initiative.

On February 23, the delegation also had a fruitful discussion with Liu Kun, the Finance Minister of the People’s Republic of China, on ways of strengthening the economic partnership between the two countries. Ahmed Shide commended China for its unwavering support for Ethiopia’s fight against poverty and home-grown economic transformation. He emphasized that the ever-growing China-Africa cooperation in terms of trade and investment is based on mutual respect, shared benefit, and policy independence. Liu Kun, for his part, explained the experience of how China’s economy boomed and the tangible and incredible outcomes that lifted the people from poverty in a short period of time. Liu Kun assured to work more closely with the Ministry of Finance of Ethiopia to further enhance the economic integration of the two countries.

On February 24, 2023, the delegation had a comprehensive and constructive discussion with Deng Li, Vice Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing on political, diplomatic, and economic partnership between the two countries. Ahmed Shide thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the warm welcome accorded to his delegation since their arrival in Beijing, and he reiterated that Ethiopia and China share a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership based on the principles of mutual trust and respect.

Stating that Ethiopia and China have witnessed high-level communications, including the recent visit of Foreign Minister Qin Gang to Ethiopia, which shows solid political ties between the two countries, Ahmed Shide underscored that the Ethiopian government has a full commitment to enhance cooperation with China on both bilateral and multilateral fora.

Deng Li, for his part, highlighted that, with Ethiopia as a key ally and strategic partner that plays a great role in Africa, China has a keen interest in further enhancing its relations under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He underlined that the Chinese government has an unwavering partnership with Ethiopia in the long run for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.

A member of the delegation, Mamo Mihretu, the Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, had a meeting with Jin Zhongxia, the Director General of the People’s Bank of China, in Beijing on February 23, 2023. They had a fruitful discussion on ways of strengthening the relations between the two central banks, aiming to further enhance the economic ties between Ethiopia and China.

Commissioner Lelise Nami also had a fruitful discussion with Mr. Liu Dianxun, the Director General of China Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA), on strengthening investment promotion issues in Beijing on February 22, 2023.  She recalled that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed in 2022 between the Ethiopian Investment Commission and the China International Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA) to work on cooperation has continued to strengthen the joint promotion and attraction of investment between the two sides.

Furthermore, Commissioner Lelise explained Ethiopia’s favorable investment opportunities and called on the agency to provide its usual support for Chinese investors to make Ethiopia a primary investment destination. Liu Dianxun, for his part, promised that his agency will work closely with the Ethiopian Investment Commission to strengthen the investment relationship between the two countries. Commissioner Lelise Nami also met with heads of Chinese companies in Beijing.

In addition, the Commissioner held a discussion with the heads of Chongqing Pharmaceuticals Holding, BieGen, CNBM, SINOMA Engineering, and SINOMA Cement Co. Ltd., engaged in the pharmaceutical, construction materials, and cement manufacturing industries, in Beijing on February 22, 2023.

In a separate discussion with Chongqing Pharmaceuticals Holding and BieGen, the Commissioner highlighted the investment opportunities in Ethiopia, indicating that the pharmaceutical industry is one of the most priority investment areas that has received the highest attention by the government of Ethiopia. She stated that, since the establishment of Kilinto Pharmaceutical Industrial Park in Ethiopia, it has provided a modern and comprehensive plug-and-play service that is enabling companies to produce in a short period of time. She promised that the Commission would provide all necessary support to the companies that have an interest in investing in Ethiopia.

During the discussion with the presidents of SINOMA Engineering and SINOMA Cement Co. Ltd., Commissioner Lelise explained that, due to the high construction activity in Ethiopia, there is a huge market demand and supply imbalance in the construction materials and cement manufacturing industries, which gives a huge opportunity for companies to invest in these sectors. Furthermore, she has commended SINOMA for its continued contributions in the field of investment and called upon it to engage more in the manufacturing sector in Ethiopia.

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Ethiopian Embassy and CIPA Organize Ethiopia-China Investment Forum in Beijing

On February 25, 2023, the Ethiopian Embassy in Beijing organized the High-level Ethiopia-China Investment Forum in collaboration with the Chinese Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA). In the forum, the Ethiopian delegation visiting China, the Director General of CIPA, and more than 180 CEOs, General Managers and professionals from 62 Chinese anchor companies participated.

Speaking on the occasion, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide welcomed and commended the participants for their prompt response to the Embassy’s call to attend the high-level forum and said their presence in the forum signifies continued commitment and devotion to further strengthen the fraternal relationship that exists between Ethiopia and China.

Stating that over the years of a steadily growing relationship, China and Ethiopia have become friends in need and friends indeed, he said that currently, China, as a development partner of Ethiopia, has been making a significant contribution to Ethiopia’s stellar economic and social growth.

According to Ahmed Shide, the physical, economic, and social infrastructure projects undertaken by Chinese public and private enterprises are not only making a real difference in the livelihood of Ethiopians but also building Ethiopia as a competitive and attractive destination for foreign direct investment.

Liu Dianxun, Director General of CIPA, on his part, emphasized that Ethiopia and China have undertaken fruitful cooperation in fields of economy, trade, investment, infrastructure, public health, and so on and so forth. By the end of 2022, the FDI stock held by Chinese enterprises in Ethiopia had reached US$ 3.3 billion, which ranked first in Africa, he added.

Lelise Nami, Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, has briefed the audience in detail on investment potential and opportunities in Ethiopia and the commitment of the government. She called upon Chinese companies to make Ethiopia a primary investment destination.

A panel discussion was also conducted in the forum, which was presented by the delegation, which included Ahmed Shide, Mamo Mihretu, Dr. Eyob Tekalegn, Lelise Nami, and Dr. Brook Taye. The panel was moderated by Ambassador Dawano Kedir, Deputy Head of Mission, who is currently Charge d’Affaires of the Ethiopian Embassy.

Points raised in the panel focused on, among others, Ethiopia’s economic performance and future economic projections, the undergoing reforms by the government of Ethiopia to prompt economic growth, homegrown economic reform, the newly opened investment priority sectors, and the Ethiopian Capital Market.

Officials from higher government institutions like MOFCOM, CIPA, and CCOIC, and CEOs, General Managers and professionals from private and public companies in the areas of pharmaceuticals, construction, cement, mining, steel, textiles, energy, telecom, chemicals, and others attended the forum.

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Ethiopia Stands in Solidarity with the Government and People of Türkiye

On February 6, 2023, a devastating earthquake hit cities in the southern part of Türkiye resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of lives and extensive damage to property. In its wake, the Türkiye Government has officially appealed to the international community for assistance in the search and rescue as well as emergency medical operations.

Following the appeal, the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia responded on February 18, 2023, and deployed a 27-member search and rescue team along with 40 metric tons (MT) of blankets and tents. The team was deployed to the Hatay area in southern Türkiye to assist with the rescue operations. The members of the Rescue and Search Team were drawn from the National Defense Forces, the Ethiopian Federal Police, and health professionals. The team was carrying out its mission until February 24, 2023.

During field presence, the team saluted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and he thanked them for all they did to support the friendly people of Türkiye. He also said Ethiopia`s participation in this difficult time would further strengthen the longstanding relationship between the two sisterly countries.

Following the news of the earthquake, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (PhD) had a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in which he expressed deep sorrow for the loss of human life and the destruction of property. “Ethiopia is always committed to helping its friends in need,” Prime Minister Abiy said, adding that “it has contributed material and rescue teams to Turkey to the best of its ability.”

The members of the Ethiopian search and rescue team were warmly welcomed by the Ethiopian Embassy staff in Türkiye. Ambassador Adem Mohammed, Ethiopian Ambassador to Türkiye, expressed appreciation to all members of the team for their commitment and sacrifice in standing together with the friendly people of Türkiye. He added that the work they have done is courageous and historical and would further strengthen the longstanding relationship between the two sisterly countries.

Ethiopian Airlines has also joined the humanitarian campaign by providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. Accordingly, Ethiopian Airlines cargo planes are transporting 100 tons of humanitarian aid from Mexico to victims affected by the quake.

Türkiye’s Disaster Management Agency, AFAD, announced that the death toll from earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria exceeds 50,000. There were 44,218 deaths in Turkey and over 5,800 deaths in Syria. The World Bank, for its part, announced that the damage caused by the earthquake in Türkiye is estimated to reach more than 34 billion dollars.

Ethiopia and Türkiye have longstanding historical relations that date back to the 19th century. Türkiye opened its first Ottoman-Turkish Consulate General in Harar in 1912 and later opened its Embassy in Addis Ababa in 1926. Ethiopia, for its part, opened its embassy in Ankara in 1933.

Investors from Türkiye are the second largest in Ethiopia, with a total investment amounting to 2.5 billion USD. The trade volume between Türkiye and Ethiopia amounted to 650 million USD in 2021.

The relationship between the two countries is excellent, both politically and economically. The countries have strong cooperation in bilateral and multilateral forums. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia said in a statement issued on February 6, 2023 following the earthquake, “We stand in solidarity with the Government and people of Türkiye.

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Ethiopia and India’s Parliamentarians Share Experiences

A 50-member Ethiopian parliamentary delegation led by Mihretu Shanko Gidi paid a visit to the Indian Parliament from February 20 to 25, 2023. The Parliamentary delegation, which included Government Chief Whips, Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Standing Committees, and Presidents of 12 Regional State Parliaments, traveled to New Delhi for a training program hosted by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE).

The visit coincided with both countries celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. It was the first time that India has invited a large parliamentary delegation from Ethiopia. The experience-sharing visit of the Ethiopian Parliamentary delegation underlined the growing importance of Ethiopia to India. There are several factors that highlight this intent. First, India and Ethiopia share a civilizational connection. Their relationship can be traced back to ancient times. The two countries have strong bilateral ties in multifaceted areas ranging from people-to-people to government levels in the areas of education, health, trade, and investment, among others.

Both countries also share a common viewpoint in their federal government structures. India’s journey over the last seven and a half decades has been quite significant in pursuing an effective parliamentary democracy based on a federal system. As a result of this, the recent visit by Ethiopian parliament members is pathbreaking in sharing experiences and best practices of the democratic and parliamentary experience of India. During a three-day experience-sharing visit to the Indian parliament, valuable discussions and training sessions were held with senior parliamentary officials on various aspects of parliamentary practices and procedures.

The leader of the delegation and assistant government whip at the House of Peoples’ Representatives, Mehretu Shanko, pointed out in his presentation about the exchange of experiences that India is one of the countries that have built an effective parliamentary democracy based on a federal system. He stated that Ethiopia is keen on learning from this experience and putting it into practice.

Prasenjit Singh, Head of the Secretariat of the House of Representatives of India, remarked in his welcoming remarks speech that India is a country that has been able to create a strong economy and democratic system in a relatively brief period after gaining independence from colonialism.
He further stated that Ethiopia and India are eager to expand experience-sharing in parliamentary procedures and will strive to promote people-to-people relations between the two countries.

Shri V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of India, hosted a reception in honor of the Ethiopian delegation. During the event, he emphasized the historical ties between India and Ethiopia, which date back over 2000 years. He also discussed the two countries’ expanding diverse partnerships in trade and investment, education, and capacity building.

The Ethiopian parliamentarians, for their part, stated that the exchange of experiences helped them gain insights on a variety of topics, including the general operation and organization of the Indian Parliament, the presentation and procedure of questions by members of parliament, parliamentary ethics, legislation, and the budgeting system.

The sharing of experiences also includes the organization, operation, and supervision of the House’s executive committee, Indian Federalism, and India-Africa ties. The delegation also paid a visit to the Election Commission of India, where they were informed on the institution’s purpose and functions.

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