PM Abiy Ahmed Inaugurates Assela Wind Farm and Haroo Dendi Lodge
Ethiopia Participates in the 3rd International Sudan Conference Held in Berlin
EU-Ethiopia Business Forum Held in Addis Ababa
Commemorating 60 Years of Ethiopia–Canada Partnership
News in Brief
Ethiopia
President Taye Atske Selassie received on Tuesday (April 21) Khalilur Rahman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, to discuss strengthening historical relations and enhancing cooperation in multilateral diplomacy.
President Taye met on Wednesday (April 22) with Jozef Síkela, European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships, commending the positive trajectory of EU–Ethiopia ties and calling for enhanced cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and digitalization.
President Taye received on Monday (April 20) Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, to discuss strengthening longstanding relations and exchange views on global peace and security.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated two projects in the Oromia Region in mid-April, launching the Assela Wind Farm and the Haroo Dendi Lodge, furthering progress in renewable energy and tourism development. (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was appointed on Thursday(April 23) as the African Union Champion for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health, recognizing his leadership in advancing innovation across the continent.
Prime Minister Abiy met on Thursday (April 23) with Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, to discuss key priorities including his role as African Union Champion for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health.
PM Abiy inaugurated on Wednesday (April 22) the MESOB mobile service, reflecting ongoing progress in digital service delivery.
The Premier received on Tuesday (April 21) Jozef Síkela, European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships, to discuss longstanding cooperation with the European Union.
Prime Minister Abiy convened on Friday (April 17) the National Steering Committee for COP 32 to assess progress, identify gaps, and align efforts toward the successful hosting of a global program.
The President of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, paid a two-day official visit to Ethiopia from 33–15 April 2026. The visit featured productive discussions on bilateral, regional, and global issues, alongside engagements aimed at further strengthening the longstanding partnership between the two countries. (See article)
Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos held talks in Stockholm on Thursday (April 23) with his Swedish counterpart, Maria Malmer Stenergard, discussing bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest in the Horn of Africa and at the international level.
FM Gedion held discussions in Oslo with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, Espen Barth Eide on Friday (April 24). During his stay in Oslo, Gedion also held discussions with Norway’s Minister of International Development, the Minister of Climate and Environment, the Chief Executive Officer of Norway’s Investment Fund, the Director General of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, as well as Norwegian investors, focusing on areas of mutual cooperation.
Minister Gedion held discussions on Wednesday (April 22) with Johan Forssell, Sweden’s Minister for Migration, on matters of bilateral interest.
FM Gedion met on Tuesday (April 21) with Khalilur Rahman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, to discuss strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Minister Gedion received on Tuesday (April 21) Jozef Síkela, European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships, for talks on cooperation priorities.
FM Gedion held discussions on Monday (April 20) with Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Austria’s Minister for European and International Affairs, reaffirming commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
An Ethiopian delegation led by Kassahun Gofe participated in the 7th Working Party Meeting on Ethiopia’s accession to the WTO, held in Geneva on April 22–23, with the participation of State Minister Ambassador Hadera Abera.
State Minister Ambassador Hadera signed on Monday (April 20) a renewed host country agreement with the Institute for Security Studies, represented by Executive Director Fonteh Akum.
State Minister Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye met on Wednesday (April 22) with Radek Rubeš, State Secretary of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Ambassador Berhanu also received on Wednesday (April 22) Alexis Lamek, Ambassador of France to Ethiopia, to discuss strengthening longstanding cooperation.
The EU–Ethiopia Business Forum was held in Addis Ababa from April 20–22, bringing together more than 500 participants and reflecting continued engagement between Ethiopia and European partners on investment and economic cooperation. (See article)
Ethiopia and Canada marked the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic partnership with a commemorative panel discussion held on Wednesday (April 15) at Addis Ababa University, Sidist Kilo, Mekonnen Hall, symbolizing both countries’ commitment to engaging and empowering youth. (See article)
A delegation from the United States Army War College, led by W. Patrick Murphy, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (April 21) for discussions on bilateral and regional issues.
At the Petersberg Climate Dialogue 2026 held on April 21–22 in Berlin, Ethiopia presented efforts in advancing climate resilience and sustainability across development sectors.
Djibouti
Prime Minister Abiy received on Thursday (April 23) Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti, who delivered a message from President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh and discussed ongoing cooperation.
Kenya
President William Ruto departed Kenya on Sunday (April 19) for a three-day official visit to Italy, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties in trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, food security, and multilateral cooperation, during which Kenya and Italy adopted a 2026–2029 Action Plan.
Sudan
Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan met on Tuesday (April 21) with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.
The 3rd International Sudan Conference was held on Wednesday (April 15), in Berlin, Germany. The conference was held with the aim of mobilizing financial support for the urgent humanitarian need in the country, securing a permanent ceasefire and bolstering civilian-led political processes to end the ongoing conflict. (See article)
Africa and the African Union
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on Tuesday (April 21) joined Taye Atske Selassie, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, to address the inaugural meeting of the Africa–China Entrepreneurs Meeting (CAES) in Addis Ababa, focusing on strengthening Africa–China economic cooperation and private sector engagement.
Chairperson Youssouf, received on Monday (April 20) Jozef Síkela, European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships, and Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria.
Ambassador Hirut Zemene, Chair of the African Union Peace and Security Council, met on Wednesday (April 22) with Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, President of the United Nations Security Council, to discuss strengthening collaboration.
The African Group of Three (A3) on the United Nations Security Council briefed the AU Peace and Security Council on Tuesday (April 21) during its 1340th meeting chaired by Ethiopia.
Members of the African Union Peace and Security Council visited on Sunday (April 19) the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute and the Ethiopian Science Museum under Ethiopia’s chairship of the Council.
PM Abiy Ahmed Inaugurates Assela Wind Farm and Haroo Dendi Lodge
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated two projects in the Oromia Region in mid-April, launching the Assela Wind Farm and the Haroo Dendi Lodge, furthering progress in renewable energy and tourism development.
Assela Wind Farm
Prime Minister Abiy on Thursday (April 16) inaugurated the Assela Wind Farm project in Arsi Zone of Oromia Region, marking a step in Ethiopia’s renewable energy development. The facility, with a capacity of 100 megawatts, is expected to boost the country’s clean energy supply and reduce reliance on non-renewable sources.
Constructed at an estimated cost of 145 million euros, the project is designed to pay for itself within two years and generate profit thereafter. The Prime Minister noted that future generations will benefit from the project highlighting its long-term sustainability.
He also expressed appreciation to the Government of Denmark for its support and called on other partners to work with Ethiopia in advancing development efforts.
Haroo Dendi Lodge
On Sunday (April 19), Prime Minister Abiy also inaugurated the Haroo Dendi Lodge in the Oromia Region under the “Dine for Generation” initiative. He described the project as reflecting a new approach where development aligns with the natural environment.
The Prime Minister said the lodge was designed to honour the country’s natural legacy while enhancing the Dendi Crater Lake and respecting the heritage of local communities. He noted that the project supports eco-tourism while promoting environmental and cultural preservation.
He further stated that the lodge strengthens Ethiopia’s tourism sector and contributes to broader national development, noting the role of tourism in supporting economic growth.
Ethiopia and Liberia Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation During Official Visit of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai
The President of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, paid a two-day official visit to Ethiopia from 13 to 15 April 2026. During the visit, the two leaders held productive discussions on bilateral, regional, continental, and international issues of mutual interest. Furthermore, the Liberian delegation engaged with their Ethiopian counterparts to explore ways of further enhancing the enduring partnership between the two countries.
Over the years, Ethiopia and Liberia have cultivated a strong partnership marked by high-level engagements. This visit represents another significant milestone in the bilateral relations between the two nations. As two African countries that share a unique legacy of preserving their sovereignty, as well as playing crucial roles in the founding of major continental and international institutions, the visit underscores an important step in reinforcing cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
Guided by this shared understanding, the fraternal engagement between the two leaders proved highly productive. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai explored avenues to deepen collaboration in key areas such as peacekeeping, human resource development, and technical cooperation. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening economic ties, recognizing untapped potential in trade and investment, and agreed to utilize opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In this regard, the leaders welcomed the resumption of Ethiopian Airlines flights to Monrovia in November 2024, noting its significance in enhancing connectivity and fostering people-to-people relations.
Following their discussions, the two leaders presided over the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering education, artificial intelligence, and science and technology, thereby laying a practical foundation for future cooperation. They also reaffirmed their commitment to peace, stability, sustainable development, and enhanced engagement in multilateral forums. Prime Minister Abiy reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation, expressing confidence that the visit would translate shared aspirations into practical outcomes.
The Liberian delegation held productive engagements with their Ethiopian counterparts, during which concrete areas of cooperation were explored. The visit marks an important step in further strengthening Ethiopia-Liberia relations and is expected to open new avenues of cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai concluded his productive visit by paying tribute to Ethiopia’s historic victory and honoring the heroes and heroines of the Battle of Adwa through the laying of a wreath at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum.
Ethiopia Participates in the 3rd International Sudan Conference Held in Berlin
The 3rd International Sudan Conference was held on Wednesday (April 15), in Berlin, Germany. The conference was held with the aim of mobilizing financial support for the urgent humanitarian need in the country, securing a permanent ceasefire and bolstering civilian-led political processes to end the ongoing conflict.
The Ethiopian delegation was headed by Ambassador Hadera Abera, State Minister of Foreign Affairs. The conference was attended by ministers and representatives of 55 States, including from neighboring and regional countries, alongside representatives from key regional organizations such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the League of Arab States and also leaders and representatives of several United Nations programmes and agencies.
The participation of Sudanese civilian groups in the conference marked an important step forward in advancing an inclusive peace process. Discussions at the conference mainly emphasized on the urgent need for parties to cease hostilities, adhere to international humanitarian law without delay, and guarantee full, safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance.
In his address, Ambassador Hadera emphasized the necessity of an immediate ceasefire, inclusion of civilian political forces and implementation of the Sudanese-owned political process to chart a pathway towards lasting peace and unity. He further emphasized the importance of sustained international support, stronger partnershipsand increased investment in host communities to ensure refugees can live with dignity and hope.
Ambassador Hadera also drew attention to the devastating impact of the protracted conflict which has now entered its third year. He noted that the violence has resulted in immense civilian suffering, loss of countless lives and the widespread destruction of critical infrastructure. Beyond its internal consequences, the conflict poses a growing risk of regional destabilization. In this regard, he stressed that there can be no military solution to the crisis and urged all parties to place the well-being and interests of the Sudanese people above political or military objectives.
Ambassador Hadera further cautioned against the marginalization of independent civilian political forces, warning that privileging armed actors risks perpetuating cycles of conflict. He underscored the importance of inclusive dialogue that reflects Sudan’s diverse, multi-ethnic and multicultural society, noting that any future governance framework must be broadly representative to achieve sustainable peace. Ethiopia, he affirmed, stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan and strongly condemns the growing tendency of radicalism in the country.
In a significant demonstration of international support, donors pledged approximately €1.5 billion to address the humanitarian needs in Sudan and neighboring countries. This includes more than €811 million committed by the European Union and its Member States. These contributions are expected to play a crucial role in alleviating suffering and supporting both displaced populations and host communities.
Overall, the Berlin Conference reaffirmed the urgency of coordinated international action and the centrality of a civilian-led and Sudanese-owned political process. Ethiopia’s participation underscored its constructive role in regional diplomacy and its continued commitment to supporting peace, stability and humanitarian efforts in Sudan and the broader Horn of Africa.
EU-Ethiopia Business Forum Held in Addis Ababa
The EU–Ethiopia Business Forum was held in Addis Ababa from April 20–22, bringing together more than 500 participants and reflecting continued engagement between Ethiopia and European partners on investment and economic cooperation.
The forum, held under the theme “Unlocking Global Gateway Potentials,” served as a platform for partnership discussions and the identification of potential investment areas, with a focus on projects expected to progress in the coming years.
In her opening remarks, Semereta Sewasew, State Minister of Finance, highlighted the role of ongoing economic reforms in improving the investment environment. She noted that measures, including the liberalization of the foreign exchange regime, are aimed at supporting private sector development, improving transparency, and easing access to foreign currency.
She also underlined the importance of implementation, emphasizing the need to translate policy measures into concrete investments that contribute to employment and economic growth.
EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela, on his part, reaffirmed the European Union’s support for Ethiopia’s reform efforts and emphasized continued cooperation.
During the event, the Commissioner announced, among others, the €269 million RISE program, which aims to upgrade electricity infrastructure, rehabilitate the Ashegoda wind farm, and deploy 2,500 kilometers of fiber optic cable. These initiatives are intended to support improvements in energy and connectivity.
The forum highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between Ethiopia and the European Union, with a focus on supporting investment, infrastructure development, and private sector growth.
Commemorating 60 Years of Ethiopia–Canada Partnership
Ethiopia and Canada marked the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic partnership with a commemorative panel discussion held on Wednesday (April 15) at Addis Ababa University, Sidist Kilo, Mekonnen Hall, symbolizing both countries’ commitment to engaging and empowering youth.
The event brought together diplomats, policymakers, and academics to reflect on six decades of bilateral relations and to explore prospects for cooperation in an evolving global order. Discussions centered on strengthening resilience amid global change while reaffirming shared commitments to political, economic, and social partnership.
Relations between the two countries were formally cemented during the 1967 state visit of Haile Selassie. The visit took place during a landmark year in Canadian history, as Canada marked its centennial, 100 years since Confederation in 1867, and is widely regarded as a defining moment in the strengthening of ties between the two nations.
Over the years, Ethiopia–Canada cooperation has deepened significantly, anchored in humanitarian and development engagement. Canada’s support has extended across development initiatives, governance reform, social sector programs, women’s empowerment, peacekeeping operations, post-conflict reconstruction, and disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) efforts.
Economic relations have also expanded, driven by Ethiopia’s growing international engagement. Ethiopian Airlines now operates daily flights to Toronto and continues to invest in Canadian technology, including aircraft, simulators, and engines from firms such as Bombardier Aerospace.
Canada has become an important market for Ethiopian exports, including coffee, tea, spices, and oilseeds. However, officials note that trade volumes remain below potential, indicating scope for further expansion.
Ethiopia’s ongoing economic reforms, aligned with Canada’s broader Africa strategy, are expected to open new avenues for investment. Priority sectors include mining, agriculture, agro-processing, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing, where Canadian expertise is seen as particularly relevant.
Bilateral cooperation reached another milestone on February 17, 2026, when the two countries held the 8th Ethio–Canada Political Consultation in Addis Ababa. Officials agreed to further deepen relations, with discussions focusing on political, economic, and social cooperation, including engagement with the Ethiopian diaspora, employment opportunities, artificial intelligence collaboration, and broader development partnerships.
Canadian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Nicolas Simard, noted that Ethiopia and Canada have built strong collaboration in areas such as education, health, women’s empowerment, peacekeeping, capacity building, and development. He added that Canada’s evolving Africa Strategy signals a shift from primarily aid-based engagement towards greater emphasis on investment and trade, aimed at fostering more sustainable and mutually beneficial economic partnerships.
Speaking at the event, Dawit Afework, Director for North American Affairs at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, identified key priority areas for future cooperation, including trade diversification, climate resilience, peace and security, education and innovation, and diaspora engagement. He noted that while relations have grown steadily, they remain “trade-light” and require stronger economic engagement, particularly by leveraging Ethiopia’s position within the African Continental Free Trade Area. He also emphasized, given the favorable economic reform undertaken by Ethiopia, the need to expand investment in sectors where Canada holds a comparative advantage, alongside deeper collaboration in green development and human capital development.
Asnake Kefale, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Addis Ababa University, highlighted Canada’s longstanding contribution to Ethiopia’s education sector, noting that the first president of Addis Ababa University was Canadian. He also recalled Canada’s support during challenging periods, including the drought of the 1980s. Furthermore, he emphasized that Canada, as a middle-power country, can play an important role in helping to balance the evolving global order toward a more multipolar system.
Speakers at the event underscored the importance of strengthening future cooperation between the two countries.
Leave Your Comments Here