A Business Delegation from Belgium Explores Trade and Investment Opportunities in Ethiopia
Ethiopia and Brazil Deepen Agricultural Partnership with New MoU
Ethiopian Coffee Trade Forum Held in Casablanca, Morocco
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
President Taye Atske Selassie received the credentials of nine new ambassadors from Australia, Cuba, Algeria, Gambia, Georgia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cyprus on Tuesday (June 3) and held discussions on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, and other areas.
President Taye received Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar on Thursday (June 5) at his office. President Pirc Musar is on a state visit to Ethiopia aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Earlier the same day, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received President Pirc Musar at his office for discussions on matters of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Abiy awarded Ethiopia’s highest national honor, the Grand Order of Merit, to Bill Gates on Sunday (June 1) at the National Palace in Addis Ababa. The award recognizes 25 years of transformative support through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in areas such as health, agriculture, and innovation.
Prime Minister Abiy launched on Tuesday (June 3) a goodwill development project that is underway as part of Ethiopia’s rural corridor initiative. A pilot project to establish a model rural village is being implemented, aimed at improving the quality of life for local farmers and supporting their agricultural activities.
Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives Tagesse Chaffo received an Indian parliamentary delegation on Sunday (June 1) and discussed ways to strengthen Ethio-India relations, emphasizing growing cooperation in economic, political, and people-to-people spheres.
A delegation of ten Belgian companies visited Ethiopia from June 1 to 4 to explore potential economic opportunities. The group, which included representatives from sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, and information technology, expressed interest in identifying areas for investment and collaboration. (See article)
Ethiopia and Brazil have solidified their commitment to bolstering the agriculture and livestock sectors through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement aims to significantly enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two nations. (See article)
The first Ethio-Morocco Coffee Traders Partnership Forum was successfully held on Tuesday (May 27) in Casablanca, aimed at enhancing trade relations between Ethiopia and the Kingdom of Morocco. (See article)
The third Ethio-Slovenian Joint Political Consultation took place in Addis Ababa on Wednesday (June 4). State Minister Ambassador Hadera Abera highlighted Ethiopia’s reform progress and called for deeper economic cooperation in sectors including AI, energy, and tourism. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to advance political dialogue.
Ambassador Hadera met with WIPO Director General Daren Tang on Tuesday (June 3) to discuss cooperation on capacity building and training.
Ethiopia participated in the African Union Peace and Security Council field mission to Guinea on May 30-31, aiming to support Guinea’s political transition and promote peace and stability, with Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador Nebiyu Tedla representing Ethiopia in discussions with Guinean authorities and AU member states.
Ethiopia participated in the 11th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting in Brasilia on Monday (June 2), where Ambassador Leulseged Tadesse, Ethiopian Ambassador to Brazil, highlighted Ethiopia’s digital transformation and called for stronger BRICS partnerships to advance inclusive and sustainable ICT development. Ethiopia also took part in the BRICS Sports Ministerial Meeting, reaffirming its commitment to use sport as a powerful vehicle for social integration, cultural exchanges and sustainable development.
Eritrea
Foreign Minister Osman Saleh held talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Sunday (June 1) in New Delhi to strengthen bilateral relations. The discussion focused on cooperation in health, education, trade, and investment, as well as regional developments in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean.
Djibouti
President Ismail Omar Guelleh received Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barreh on Monday (June 2) at the Palace of the Republic. The visit aims to strengthen cooperation and solidarity between the two countries.
Kenya
UN-Habitat resumed assembly in Nairobi ended Monday (June 1) with the adoption of a strategic plan for 2026-2029 aimed at tackling the global housing crisis. Kenyan President William Ruto praised the plan’s focus on climate-smart, inclusive cities.
Somalia
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barreh and his delegation left for Djibouti on Sunday (June 1) for an official visit to discuss strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Sudan
Ethiopia reaffirmed its unwavering support for Sudan’s efforts to achieve peace and stability on Monday (June 2), as a high-level delegation led by NISS Director General Redwan Hussein and Prime Minister’s Advisor Getachew Reda delivered a message from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Port Sudan.
Sudan’s new Prime Minister, Kamil Idriss, was sworn in on Saturday (May 31) before Sovereign Council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
Africa and the African Union
On Monday (June 2), African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf met with Bill Gates, Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to discuss strengthening collaboration between the AU and the Foundation. Their discussions focused on enhancing Africa’s health systems, expanding local vaccine and medicine manufacturing, and improving food security.
Bill Gates announced on Monday (June 2) at the AU headquarters that he will donate most of his $200 billion fortune over 20 years to support health, education and innovation in Africa. He also met AUC Chairperson Youssouf to discuss collaboration on health systems, vaccine production, and climate resilience.
A Business Delegation from Belgium Explores Trade and Investment Opportunities in Ethiopia
A delegation of ten Belgian companies visited Ethiopia from June 1 to 4 to explore potential economic opportunities. The group, which included representatives from sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, and information technology, expressed interest in identifying areas for investment and collaboration.
During their stay, the delegation attended a business forum that was jointly organized by Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Belgium, Luxembourg, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (CBL-ACP), Ethiopian Embassy in Brussels, Belgian Embassy in Addis Ababa and Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce. The Forum created an environment for the delegation to get all the necessary information about the business climate in the country. It has also provided an opportunity to conduct a B2B meeting with Ethiopian companies which aspires to build a joint-venture.
In his keynote speech during the opening of the business forum the Finance Minister Ahmed Shide stated that Ethiopia, with the population of more than 120 million people, is undertaking comprehensive macroeconomic reforms that are essential to attract global investment. The Minister also encouraged the Belgian business delegation to benefit from the enormous potential of Ethiopia’s fastest growing economy.
The Commissioner for Ethiopian Investment Commission, Zeleke Temesgen, for his part, shaded light on the promising investment landscape in the country. He emphasized Ethiopia’s young and dynamic workforce, abundant natural resources, and strategic location as a gateway to the African market.
Belgium’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Verstichel Annelies, underscored the importance of the visit in enhancing the 120 years of diplomatic and trade relations between Belgium and Ethiopia. With both nations sharing a commitment to sustainable economic growth, this delegation is viewed as a stepping stone towards more robust partnerships.
During their stay, the Belgian delegation also engaged in discussions with Ethiopian government officials, industry leaders, and local entrepreneurs. They explored various sectors identified as ripe for investment, including agriculture, renewable energy, and technology. They have also visited some of the industrial parks. The discussions and the visits offered them an opportunity to witness Ethiopia’s commitment to becoming a manufacturing hub in Africa, especially through its ambitious Home-Grown Economic Reform Agenda.
The visit by the Belgian business delegation is a testament to Ethiopia’s increasing role as an attractive investment destination in Africa. As bilateral relations deepen and opportunities for collaboration expand, both nations stand to benefit from a partnership rooted in growth and innovation.
Ethiopia and Brazil Deepen Agricultural Partnership with New MoU
Ethiopia and Brazil have solidified their commitment to bolstering the agriculture and livestock sectors through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement aims to significantly enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two nations.
The MoU was formalized in Brazil between Leulseged Tadese Abebe, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Brazil, and Carlos Fávaro, Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA).
Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, underscored the broader diplomatic significance, emphasizing that the agreement highlights Brazil’s strong commitment to South-South cooperation. “This partnership exemplifies our dedication to working with fellow developing nations to address shared challenges,” Minister Vieira stated during the signing ceremony.
The signing coincided with the conclusion of the 2nd Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Food Security, Fight Against Hunger, and Rural Development. Minister Vieira also presided over the adoption of the Dialogue’s Final Declaration, further solidifying the commitment to collaborative efforts in these critical areas. The ceremony, attended by Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Temesgen Tiruneh, saw Brazil sign MoUs with multiple African nations, including Ethiopia.
With over seven decades of diplomatic relations, Ethiopia and Brazil have a history of agricultural cooperation, including efforts to address soil acidity. This latest MoU marks a pivotal moment, poised to substantially deepen their joint efforts. The agreement specifically focuses on facilitating the exchange of expertise, research, and best practices. Brazil, with its extensive experience and advanced research in tropical agriculture and soil science, is uniquely positioned to share valuable insights and technologies with Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Coffee Trade Forum Held in Casablanca, Morocco
The first Ethio-Morocco Coffee Traders Partnership Forum was successfully held on Tuesday (May 27) in Casablanca, aimed at enhancing trade relations between Ethiopia and the Kingdom of Morocco.
The event brought together eight leading Ethiopian coffee exporters and forty-five Moroccan coffee buyers, serving as a strategic platform to foster direct business engagement and strengthen bilateral commercial ties.
The forum is organized by the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Rabat, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Coffee Association and the Casablanca Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services, aimed at unlocking new trade and investment opportunities in the coffee sector.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Nardos Ayalew underscored the deep-rooted diplomatic and cultural ties between Ethiopia and Morocco. While acknowledging the historical and cordial relationship both nations enjoy, she noted that economic cooperation particularly in trade and investment, has not yet reached its full potential. The Ambassador noted that, “ it is time to translate the mutual interests expressed by both sides into tangible outcomes by unlocking massive opportunities and maximizing trade and investment cooperation.”
Ambassador Nardos also highlighted Ethiopia’s global recognition as the birthplace of coffee and its reputation for producing premium quality Arabica beans. She emphasized the growing appreciation for specialty coffee among Moroccan consumers and noted the evolving sophistication of the local market, positioning Ethiopian coffee as an ideal fit for Morocco’s demand.
She also noted the opportunities in Ethiopia’s recent economic reforms and market liberalization efforts, including the opening of key sectors like telecommunications and banking sectors to foreign investment. She stressed Ethiopia’s membership in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its progressing accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) as additional incentives for Moroccan investors. Finally, she encouraged and called upon the Moroccan private sector to explore investment opportunities not only in coffee but also in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism, and ICT sectors identified as priorities for Ethiopia’s sustainable development.
A comprehensive presentation was delivered by Takele Mamo, head of the delegation of the Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association, outlining Ethiopia’s unique coffee production landscape, bean varieties, quality attributes, and major export destinations. He also expressed strong interest in building long-term partnerships with Moroccan buyers and distributors.
Hassen Berkani, President of the Casablanca Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services, warmly welcomed the Ethiopian business delegation. He highlighted the growing consumer demand for high-quality coffee in Morocco’s urban centers and affirmed that Ethiopian coffee is ideally positioned to meet these emerging preferences. He also assured that, “This forum marks the beginning of a new chapter in Ethio-Moroccan trade relations.” Finally, he encourages all traders to actively participate in the B2B sessions and explore mutually beneficial partnerships.
The next day, on Wednesday (May 28), key Moroccan coffee importers, roasters, and distributors took part in organized site visits and business programs. These visits provided Ethiopian exporters a better understanding of the Moroccan market landscape and allowed for deeper discussions on collaborative strategies.
Overall, the forum was deemed a loud success, with participants engaging in meaningful dialogue, exploring partnership opportunities, and laying a strong foundation for sustained commercial collaboration between the two nations in the coffee sector and beyond.
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