Ethiopia – EU Business Forum Held in Paris
Ethiopian Delegation Participates in the Third Infrastructure Financing Summit for Africa
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
A high-level delegation of Ethiopian government officials led by Gedion Timothewos, Minister of Foreign Affairs, took part in the Ethiopia–Europe Investment Forum held in Paris, France, on Monday (November 3). The forum was organized under the patronage of Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, following the understanding reached during their meeting in Paris in May 2025. (See article)
Foreign Minister Gedion delivered a keynote address on Wednesday (November 5) at the Chatham House Conference on “Africa’s Rising Influence: Advancing Agency in Foreign Policy and Global Governance,” held in Addis Ababa in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Amani Africa. The delegation also paid a special visit to the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum on Thursday (November 6), drawing inspiration from Ethiopia’s historic triumph that shaped African resilience and unity.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion and Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide met with Maxim S. Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation, and Maxim Reshetnikov, Russia’s Minister of Economic Development, to discuss a wide range of strategic and economic issues in Addis Ababa on Wednesday (November 5).
The Pan African Surgical Healthcare Forum (PASHeF) opened in Addis Ababa on Wednesday (November 5), during which Minister of Health Mekdes Daba called for government-led priorities, workforce motivation, and integrated, innovative solutions to transform surgical care across Africa.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera received Szymon Hołownia, Speaker of Poland’s Parliament, at his office on Monday (November 3). The two sides reaffirmed the historic friendship between the two countries and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in green energy, tourism, and investment.
Ethiopia and China signed a Bilateral Market Access Protocol at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Headquarters in Geneva on Tuesday (November 4), marking a significant step forward in Ethiopia’s accession to the WTO.
Ambassador Dewano Kedir, Director-General for Middle Eastern, Asian, and Pacific Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held discussions on Wednesday (November 5) with a delegation led by Paul Griffiths, First Assistant Secretary of the Middle East and Africa Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The meeting took place in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Kenya
President William Ruto participated in the Second World Summit for Social Development and, on the sidelines of the summit, held talks with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, in Doha on Tuesday (November 4).
Africa and the African Union
The Third Infrastructure Financing Summit for Africa was held from October 28 to 31 in Luanda, Angola, under the theme “Capital, Corridors, Trade: Investing in Infrastructure for the AfCFTA and Shared Prosperity.” The Summit convened African leaders, African continental development banks, international financial institutions, private sector representatives, and policymakers. The Ethiopian delegation was composed of the Office of the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the AU and UNECA, Ethiopian Airlines and Ministry of Water and Energy. Ethiopia’s participation reflected its continued commitment to regional integration priorities, infrastructure development, and continental initiatives under the African Union’s Agenda 2063. (See article)
Ethiopia – EU Business Forum Held in Paris
A high-level delegation of Ethiopian government officials led by Gedion Timothewos, Minister of Foreign Affairs, took part in the Ethiopia–Europe Investment Forum held in Paris, France, on Monday (November 3). The forum was organized under the patronage of Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, following the understanding reached during their meeting in Paris in May 2025.
MEDEF International, an association of French private businesses, took the lead in organizing the event, which brought together more than 100 companies from France and other European countries. Renewable energy, the new Bishoftu International Airport project, transport, logistics, infrastructure, digital technology, artificial intelligence, and communications were among the key priority areas discussed. These areas are closely aligned with the objectives of Ethiopia’s Home-Grown Economic Reform Agenda (HGER).
Welcoming the participants, Foreign Minister Gedion emphasized the importance of promoting stronger investment and trade ties not only between Ethiopia and France but also between Ethiopia and the broader European continent. He also highlighted the need to forge a partnership between Africa and Europe in a rapidly evolving global economic and political landscape, underscoring their geographic proximity and intertwined history.
Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide, for his part, delivered a comprehensive presentation on Ethiopia’s economic reform agenda, outlining the challenges and the way forward. He emphasized the value of the forum in facilitating direct engagement between EU investors and Ethiopian authorities, enabling detailed and practical discussions. He reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to improving the ease of doing business and addressing investor concerns.
Alongside Ethiopian Investment Commissioner Zeleke Tamasgen, the minister acknowledged some of the difficulties companies face in Ethiopia and outlined mechanisms developed to address them. He assured business communities that Ethiopia is more determined than ever to work closely with private investors and resolve their challenges.
A series of roundtable discussions focusing on European solutions for Bishoftu Airport, the business climate, transport, logistics, infrastructure, and renewable energy were held separately. These sessions facilitated exchanges between investors and Ethiopian officials, allowing prospective investors to present business proposals and expectations regarding opportunities in Ethiopia.
The forum enabled in-depth discussions on Ethiopia’s business environment, emerging investment prospects, and related challenges. Participants expressed satisfaction with the Ethiopian government’s strong commitment, reform initiatives, and clear vision for economic transformation. The active participation of high-ranking officials was seen as a clear indication of Ethiopia’s dedication to attracting foreign direct investment in key priority sectors.
Ethiopian Delegation Participates in the Third Infrastructure Financing Summit for Africa
The Third Infrastructure Financing Summit for Africa was held from October 28 to 31 in Luanda, Angola, under the theme “Capital, Corridors, Trade: Investing in Infrastructure for the AfCFTA and Shared Prosperity.” The Summit convened African leaders, African continental development banks, international financial institutions, private sector representatives, and policymakers. The Ethiopian delegation was composed of the Office of the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the AU and UNECA, Ethiopian Airlines and Ministry of Water and Energy. Ethiopia’s participation reflected its continued commitment to regional integration priorities, infrastructure development, and continental initiatives under the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The aim of the Summit was to accelerate Africa’s capacity to finance and deliver strategic infrastructure schemes to unlock industrialization and intra-African trade. The discussions underscored that intra-African trade remains very low, approximately 16 to 18 percent compared to over 60 percent in Europe and Asia. This was attributed to infrastructure gaps, fragmented regulations, and slow implementation processes. The Summit highlighted that Africa’s annual infrastructure financing needs are only met halfwayat USD 80 billion out of a demand of USD 130–170 billion. The challenge, however, is not only insufficient capital but also the shortage of bankable projects, weak project preparation capacity, fragmented execution, and management gaps. Participants stressed the need for strong political will, harmonized continental mechanisms, regulatory reforms, and faster decision-making to shift the continent from planning to implementation.
The main content of the discussions focused on Africa’s financing sovereignty. In terms of domestic mobilization, it was mentioned that Africa has the capacity to mobilize up to USD 4 trillion from domestic financial sources, including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and assets from commercial banks. There was strong support for developing African credit rating systems and improving repayment discipline to enhance Africa’s financial credibility and reduce the cost of capital.
The Summit addressed key continental priorities, including financing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the Africa Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), and financing at scale for water and sanitation infrastructure. The Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) was mentioned as a successful example of internal resource mobilization, regional connectivity, and infrastructure ownership. Ethiopian Airlines was also highlighted as an example of how aviation infrastructure contributes to continental integration by facilitating the movement of goods, services, and people. The One Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene National Program (ONEWASH) initiative in Ethiopia was additionally recognized as a strategic model for coordinated Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) delivery.
The Ethiopian delegation had contributed to the deliberation of the summit by reflecting, among others, on opportunities for promoting continent-wide transportation networks and sustainable water utilization. The delegation also networked with several financial institutions, including the World Bank, Green Finance Institute, and Trade and Development Bank, to seek opportunities for future partnerships.
As a key outcome, multiple Memoranda of Understanding were signed between AUDA-NEPAD and several African institutions. In addition, infrastructure investment opportunities valued at approximately US$43.9 billion were presented to investors and partners, covering key sectors such as transport and logistics corridors, the energy sector, water, and digital infrastructure. The summit also showcased the launching of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), which is the first of its kind in creating the possibility of having Africa-based financial mechanisms for infrastructure development. For Ethiopia, this opens entry points to position its strategic cross-border priority projects within these emerging continental financing windows.
The Summit underscored that Africa is at a decisive moment to move from identifying challenges to delivering solutions. The message was clear: Africa must take ownership of financing its infrastructure, leverage its domestic capital base, and accelerate integration by building strategic networks that enable trade and industrial transformation. For Ethiopia, participation in this Summit reaffirmed its role in regional connectivity and demonstrated alignment with continental objectives focused on infrastructure, industrialization, and sustainable development.
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