Ethiopia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission Meeting Held in Moscow
Ethio-Saudi Arabia Business Forum Strengthens Bilateral Economic Partnership
Ethiopia – Sweden Investment Forum Held in Addis Ababa
Ethiopia Reaffirms Commitment to AU Peace and Security at AUPSC Retreat in Abuja
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
President Taye Atske-Selassie received Ambassador Elchin Amirbayov, Special Envoy of the President of Azerbaijan, on Tuesday (November 18). Their discussions focused on strengthening the growing cooperation between Ethiopia and Azerbaijan, particularly in trade, investment, agriculture, and connectivity. On the same day, the Special Envoy met with House of People’s Representatives Speaker Tagesse Chafo.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to Addis Ababa on Tuesday (November 18). The two counterparts held bilateral discussions, followed by the premier of Malaysia carrying out several visits, including attending the first Ethio-Malaysia High-Level Business Forum.
Prime Minister Abiy visited the Artificial Intelligence Institute on Sunday (November 16) at its newly renovated premises. The Institute, transformed in under a year, now hosts advanced facilities supporting AI applications in health, agriculture, and the service sector, alongside national capabilities in cloud computing, large-scale data centers, robotics, data mining, and immersive technologies.
Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos met members of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission on Tuesday (November 18) for an exchange of views on the Commission’s work and its cooperation with the AU Peace and Security Council.
The 9th meeting of the Russia–Ethiopia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Trade Cooperation was held from November 10 to 12 in Moscow. The Ethiopian delegation was led by Belete Molla, Minister of Innovation and Technology and Co-Chair of the Commission, while the Russian delegation was led by Maksim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development and Co-Chair of the Joint Commission. (See article)
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera met on Thursday (November 20) with Ali Akbar Rezaei, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Ethiopia, to discuss strengthening bilateral ties.
Ambassador Hadera held discussions with UK Ambassador to Ethiopia Darren Welch on Tuesday (November 18) at his office, reaffirming Ethiopia–UK ties and reviewing areas for enhanced cooperation.
On the same day, Ambassador Hadera met with Sem Fabrizi, the newly appointed Ambassador of Italy to Ethiopia, to discuss bilateral relations and regional matters of shared concern.
Ambassador Hadera met UAE Ambassador Mohamed Salem Al-Rashedi on Tuesday (November 18) at his office. Both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral and multilateral engagement on shared priorities.
Ambassador Hadera received Dato’ Sri Amran Mohamed Zin, Secretary-General of Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Monday (November 17). The meeting reviewed six decades of Ethiopia–Malaysia relations and explored cooperation in aviation, tourism, investment, trade, manufacturing, industry, and mining. Both sides signed an Exchange of Notes establishing a bilateral consultation mechanism.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye met on Wednesday (November 19) with UNDP Resident Representative Samuel Gbaydee Doe to discuss strengthening development cooperation.
The Ethio-Saudi Arabia Business Forum convened in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (November 18), bringing together high-level government officials, diplomats, and business leaders to advance trade and investment cooperation. The event marked a significant step in expanding bilateral economic ties and creating new pathways for mutually beneficial partnerships. (See article)
A high-level Ethio–Sweden Investment Forum, themed “Yes, We Mean Business,” took place in Addis Ababa on November 12 and 13. The two-day forum aimed at deepening trade, investment, and innovation ties between Ethiopia and Sweden. It showcased concrete opportunities in Ethiopia’s construction and other key sectors for Swedish companies and investors, serving as a platform to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. (See article)
The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, and the IGAD Head of Mission to Ethiopia, Abebaw Bihonegn, held a joint press briefing on Friday (November 21) on preparations for the 3rd IGAD Media Awards, scheduled for 29–30 November 2025 in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian Ambassador to Uganda, Ambassador Etsegenet Yimenu, took part in the Inaugural Africa Health Summit in Kampala on Saturday (November 15), highlighting Ethiopia’s work to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing zones, strengthen research ecosystems, and enhance national vaccine-production capacity.
Djibouti
A delegation led by Redwan Hussien, Director General of Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service, and Deputy Director General Sisay Tola arrived in Djibouti on Wednesday (November 19), where they were received by Service de Documentation et de Sécurité (SDS) Director General Hassan Said Khaireh and held discussions to strengthen bilateral and regional security cooperation.
Africa and the African Union
Foreign Minister Gedion met on Wednesday (November 19) with African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa to discuss regional developments.
Ethiopia participated in the 17th Annual Retreat of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AUPSC) on the review of its working methods held in Abuja, Nigeria from November 5 to 7 and reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with the members of the Council on initiatives geared towards enhancing the peace and security of the continent. The retreat was followed by the Second Lessons Learned Forum on the African Standby Force (ASF) and the African Peace Support Operations (PSOs), which took place from November 8 to 9. (See article)
AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf met Ambassador Elchin Amirbayov, Special Envoy of the President of Azerbaijan, on Tuesday (November 18), who delivered a message from President Ilham Aliyev.
AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf received Ricklef Beutin, Germany’s Permanent Representative to the UN and Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, on Tuesday (November 18) ahead of the 8th Annual Consultative Meeting between the AU Peace and Security Council and the UNPBC.
AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf congratulated Ethiopia on securing the bid to host COP32 on Friday (November 14).
Ethiopia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission Meeting Held in Moscow
The 9th meeting of the Russia–Ethiopia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Trade Cooperation was held from November 10 to 12 in Moscow. The Ethiopian delegation was led by Belete Molla, Minister of Innovation and Technology and Co-Chair of the Commission, while the Russian delegation was led by Maksim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development and Co-Chair of the Joint Commission.
In his remarks, Minister Belete highlighted that social, economic, and scientific ties between Ethiopia and Russia are growing stronger than ever. He noted that this relationship is reflected in the signing of various bilateral agreements, frequent high-level visits, and the recent productive discussions between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Vladimir Putin, which he said would guide the political and economic partnership in the years ahead and elevate bilateral ties to new heights.
The meeting produced several key outcomes, including the adoption of the agreed minutes and the signing of the Results of Bilateral Negotiations on Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as the Protocol on the extension of Scientific and Technological Cooperation initially signed for the period 2013–2017. Minister Belete signed the documents in the presence of Ethiopian government officials, including Bruk Taye, CEO of Ethiopian Investment Holdings; Takele Uma, CEO of the Ethio-Djibouti Railway Share Company; Hilina Belachew, CEO of the Ethiopian Railway Corporation; and Ambassador Genet Teshome Jirru, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation.
During the meeting, the implementation of decisions from the 8th Joint Commission meeting held on December 8, 2022, was reviewed, and both parties offered constructive recommendations to ensure their effective execution. The agreed minutes covered a broad range of bilateral cooperation, including economic, financial, energy, technological, and transport sectors, with a view to deepening and broadening relations for the benefit of both countries’ peoples. Delegates also welcomed the high level of friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries and reiterated their readiness to strengthen the full spectrum of bilateral relations.
The meeting also welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on bilateral market access for goods and services in the context of Ethiopia’s WTO accession, with the Russian side expressing full support for Ethiopia’s entry into the organization.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Ethiopian delegation visited various Russian companies and met their representatives, including United Company RUSAL, RWB LLC Industrial Park, Gazprommash LLC, Yandex, Daniil Shuleiko, the Russian Foreign Trade Academy, Rusagro Group, and Agrokomplex.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties agreed that the 10th session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission will be held in Ethiopia in 2026.
Ethio-Saudi Arabia Business Forum Strengthens Bilateral Economic Partnership
The Ethio-Saudi Arabia Business Forum convened in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (November 18), bringing together high-level government officials, diplomats, and business leaders to advance trade and investment cooperation. The event marked a significant step in expanding bilateral economic ties and creating new pathways for mutually beneficial partnerships.
In his opening remarks, Abdulhakim Mulu, State Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, stated that despite significant opportunities, the current economic cooperation between Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia remains below its potential. He emphasized that the newly established Ethio-Saudi Business Council, alongside platforms like this forum, is crucial for enhancing business-to-business engagement, uncovering new areas of collaboration, and strengthening partnerships. The State Minister highlighted Ethiopia’s strong economic performance and its attractiveness for Saudi investment in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and tourism.
Ambassador Dewano Kedir, Director-General for Middle East, Asia and Pacific Affairs, underscored the forum’s strategic value, describing it as a platform built on shared opportunity, trust, and long-term cooperation. He cited Ethiopia’s homegrown economic reforms, abundant natural resources, and large domestic market as key pillars that position the country as a gateway to broader regional markets.
Speaking for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Salih Almogbil, Chargé d’Affaires of the Saudi Embassy, commended the organizers and participants for their commitment to bilateral engagement. He reaffirmed the growing interest of Saudi investors in Ethiopia’s evolving economy and noted that the forum provides a meaningful space for dialogue and partnership-building.
Dagato Kumbe, Deputy Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, outlined Ethiopia’s reform-driven and increasingly competitive business environment. He highlighted progress in finance, telecommunications, and logistics, supported by reliable and affordable clean energy. Ethiopia’s strategic location, access to the 1.4 billion-person African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market, and attractive incentives were presented as compelling reasons for Saudi investment.
Representing the Ethiopian private sector, Sebsib Abafira, President of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, welcomed the Ethio-Saudi Business Council as a significant milestone for deepening commercial ties.
Ambassador Muktar Kedir, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to industrialization and encouraged Saudi partners to leverage the current momentum. He noted that the launch of the Business Council aligns with Ethiopia’s wider economic transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The forum concluded with sectoral presentations, interactive discussions, and networking sessions. Both sides expressed strong optimism that Ethiopia’s reform momentum and Saudi Arabia’s investment potential will elevate their partnership into a pillar of regional prosperity and shared growth.
Ethiopia – Sweden Investment Forum Held in Addis Ababa
A high-level Ethio–Sweden Investment Forum, themed “Yes, We Mean Business,” took place in Addis Ababa on November 12 and 13. The two-day forum aimed at deepening trade, investment, and innovation ties between Ethiopia and Sweden. It showcased concrete opportunities in Ethiopia’s construction and other key sectors for Swedish companies and investors, serving as a platform to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
Co-organized by the Ethiopian Embassy in Sweden, the Swedish Embassy in Ethiopia, and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in collaboration with the Ethiopian Investment Commission and the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations), the forum drew robust participation. Over 20 Swedish companies and more than 100 Ethiopian private-sector and institutional stakeholders took part in the event.
Senior officials in attendance included Hassan Mohamed, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Industry; Zeleke Temesgen, Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC); Dag Hartelius, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Sweden; and Ambassador Magnus Lennartsson, Sweden’s Ambassador to Ethiopia. Representatives from business associations and ecosystem actors – such as the Swedish East African Chamber of Commerce (SWEACC), EuroCham Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Young Entrepreneurs’ Association, and various innovation and social-enterprise groups were also present.
In remarks at the opening of the forum, State Minister Hassan Mohamed and EIC Commissioner Zeleke Temesgen reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to rapid industrialization, export diversification, and private-sector-led growth. They highlighted a range of ongoing reforms, from improvements in investment law and industrial park development to enhancements in logistics and energy supply – alongside sector-specific incentives designed to attract foreign investors. The Ethiopian officials outlined numerous opportunities for Swedish firms, including participation in public-private partnerships in energy, logistics, and infrastructure, as well as investments in manufacturing, agro-processing, information technology, and mining. These areas were presented as high-potential sectors where Swedish expertise and capital could complement Ethiopia’s development priorities.
From the Swedish side, State Secretary Dag Hartelius highlighted the longstanding ties between the two nations and reaffirmed Sweden’s strong interest in Ethiopia as a key African market and regional hub. He underscored the importance of predictable rules, transparency, and macroeconomic stability in Ethiopia as prerequisites for unlocking larger volumes of Swedish investment. Ambassador Magnus Lennartsson noted that Sweden and Ethiopia are building on more than a century of relations – combining historical links with a modern, business-driven agenda. He described the forum as a “shared ambition for trade, investment, and sustainable, inclusive growth,” reinforcing the event’s motto, “Yes, We Mean Business.”
The forum featured panel discussions, networking sessions, and matchmaking opportunities that enabled direct engagement between Ethiopian and Swedish participants. Attendees noted that the event provided an important platform for business-to-business engagement, supporting development goals. The high-level turnout and candid dialogue were seen as a positive step toward invigorating Ethiopia–Sweden economic relations. Participants from both sides expressed optimism that the partnerships and understandings forged during the forum will translate into increased trade, investment, and innovation collaboration, in line with the shared vision of sustainable and inclusive growth.
Ethiopia Reaffirms Commitments to AU Peace and Security at the 17th AUPSC Retreat in Abuja
Ethiopia participated in the 17th Annual Retreat of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AUPSC) on the review of its working methods held in Abuja, Nigeria, from November 5 to 7 and reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with the members of the Council on initiatives geared towards enhancing the peace and security of the continent. The retreat was followed by the Second Lessons Learned Forum on the African Standby Force (ASF) and the African Peace Support Operations (PSOs), which took place from November 8 to 9.
The 17th Retreat of the AUPSC deliberated on the review of the Council’s working methods with the objective of enhancing the effective and efficient undertaking of its mandates stipulated in the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Council. As such, the discussion on the working methods of the Council was critical as it aims to improve the mechanisms and tools through which the Council can effectively address the peace and security challenges in the continent.
During the meeting, the Ethiopian delegation, led by Daniel Tenkir, Director for Peace and Security Directorate at the Permanent Office of Ethiopia to the AU and UNECA, underscored the importance of continuously improving the working methods of the council to enhance its capacity and forge greater unity of purpose among member states to comprehensively and sustainably address the peace and security challenges across the continent.
In addition, the retreat provided an opportunity for discussion among member states on various subjects, including the Study on the Structural Root Causes and Drivers of Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCG) in Africa, the High-Level Review of the AU Governance, Peace and Security Frameworks, and Geopolitical Shifts and the Global Governance Reset Imperative. While considering the persistent trends of proliferation of UCG in the continent, understanding was reached on the imperative of adhering to the AU’s zero tolerance policy towards UCG, addressing its root causes, and the need to strengthen sanctions measures to deter the spread of UCG.
To that end, the Ethiopian delegation reaffirmed Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to the zero-tolerance policy of AU towards unconstitutional change of Governments and emphasized the importance of ensuring consistency in the implementation of the AU normative and legal frameworks on UCG, including the African Charter on Democracy, Governance and Election and the Lomé Declaration.
The 17th retreat of the AUPSC was followed by the Second Lessons Learned Forum on AU Peace Support Operation, including the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), as well as the African Standby Force. With regard to AU Peace Support Operations, the importance of enhancing the logistical and financial capacity of AU missions is underscored with greater emphasis on the need for adequate, predictable and sustainable funding, including through the implementation of resolution UNSC 2719 on the financing of AU-led peace support operations and the reinforcement of the AU Peace Fund. It was noted that without adequate and sustainable funding, the AU-led peace support operation will continue to face challenges in undertaking its mandates.
In a similar vein, the Forum reaffirmed Africa’s determination to continue enhancing its full political, financial, and operational responsibility for its peace operations, reducing dependency on external partners and strengthening self-reliant mechanisms under the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and African Standby Force (ASF) frameworks. Hence, the importance of accelerating the full operationalization of ASF is considered critical for successful implementation of APSA.
The twin meetings in Abuja marked a significant step towards a more integrated, self-reliant, and effective African peace and security architecture. The 17th Retreat’s focus on refining working methods provided a stronger foundation for the AUPSC’s political direction, while the Lessons Learned Forum ensures this direction is informed by hard-won, practical experience from the field.
Evidently, the deliberate linkage of policy and practice in Abuja offered a promising model for the future, better positioning the African Union to navigate complex 21st-century peace and security challenges and achieve the goal of silencing the guns enunciated in agenda AU’s 2063 agenda.
The outcomes of the retreat will be presented to the AUPSC for formal consideration in the coming days.
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