Grandeur Ceramic Factory Inaugurated in Mojo as Part of the “Made in Ethiopia” Initiative
Third Round of Ethiopia-Qatar Political Consultations Held in Doha
Ethiopia- Dubai Business Connect Forum Held in Addis Ababa
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the Lafto Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (May 26), a state-of-the-art AI-powered facility aimed at expanding advanced healthcare services, strengthening Ethiopia’s capacity for specialized care.
On Wednesday (May 27), he also inaugurated the Negele Borena Geda Airport in Borena Zone, the 24th domestic destination under Ethiopian Airlines, and the Borana Cultural Center in Yabelo. He also reviewed water and irrigation projects, agricultural transformation through cluster farming, and conservation efforts at Borena National Park, alongside broader tourism and development initiatives in the zone.
Prime Minister Abiy, together with high-level government officials, inaugurated Grandeur Ceramic Manufacturing PLC in Mojo town, Oromia Region on Saturday (May 23), a world-class ceramic and porcelain tile factory under the “Made in Ethiopia” initiative and Ethiopia’s broader industrialization drive. (See article)
The third round of political consultations between Ethiopia and Qatar was held on Wednesday (May 20) in Doha, Qatar. The Ethiopian delegation was led by Ambassador Hadera Abera, State Minister for Political and Economic Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Qatari side was headed by Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. (See article)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a briefing in Addis Ababa for diplomats and international organizations on the 7th General Election on Monday (May 25), where the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) Chairperson Melatwork Hailu presented updates on preparations for a transparent and credible election scheduled for June 1, 2026. State Minister Berhanu Tsegaye delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the election’s role in strengthening Ethiopia’s democratic system.
The Ethiopia–Dubai Business Connect Forum was held in Addis Ababa on Friday (May 22), with the aim of assessing trade and investment opportunities between Ethiopia and the UAE and further advancing economic ties. (See article)
Kenya
President William Ruto on Monday (May 25) chaired the 4th Session of the Virtual Ad Hoc Oversight Committee of Heads of State on African Union institutional reforms, where leaders reviewed progress on the reform agenda.
Africa and the African Union
The African Union celebrated Africa Day on Monday (May 25) under the theme “Sixty-three (63) Years of Unity, Integration and Development, Let’s Celebrate Together,” during which Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reaffirmed the AU’s unwavering commitment to the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and to building the Africa We Want.
State Minister Hadera Abera participated in Africa Day celebrations in Addis Ababa on Monday (May 25), highlighting continental unity and Ethiopia’s role in advancing African cooperation.
Grandeur Ceramic Factory Inaugurated in Mojo as Part of the “Made in Ethiopia” Initiative
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, together with high-level government officials, inaugurated Grandeur Ceramic Manufacturing PLC in Mojo town, Oromia Region on Saturday (May 23), a world-class ceramic and porcelain tile factory under the “Made in Ethiopia” initiative and Ethiopia’s broader industrialization drive.
The numbers behind this milestone highlight its scale and economic significance. The facility spans 300,000 m², with an investment of over 2 billion birr, and sources more than 80 percent of its raw materials locally within a 100 km radius.
The project is also expected to save over $4.85 billion in foreign exchange in just nine months, underscoring its role in import substitution and strengthening Ethiopia’s shift from an importer to a more competitive industrial producer.
During the inauguration event, the Prime Minister said the factory represents a major milestone in Ethiopia’s industrialization journey and a practical demonstration of the expanding “Made in Ethiopia” initiative. He noted that the initiative is expected to continue scaling up across the country by attracting additional international investment while strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity.
He emphasized that the factory will produce ceramic products that meet international standards of quality and competitiveness, while relying heavily on locally sourced raw materials, which further strengthens Ethiopia’s ability to harness its own natural resources and production potential. He also underlined that such investments will significantly reduce dependence on imported goods and contribute to the country’s broader objective of import substitution and industrial self-reliance.
Third Round of Ethiopia-Qatar Political Consultations Held in Doha
The third round of political consultations between Ethiopia and Qatar was held on Wednesday (May 20) in Doha, Qatar. The Ethiopian delegation was led by Ambassador Hadera Abera, State Minister for Political and Economic Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Qatari side was headed by Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
During the session, Ambassador Hadera underscored the growing depth, mutual confidence, and increasingly strategic character of the bilateral relationship between the two brotherly countries. He highlighted that over the years, Ethiopia and Qatar have cultivated a partnership anchored in mutual respect, shared interests, constructive dialogue, and a common aspiration for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond. He further noted that Ethiopia places great value on its relations with Qatar, appreciating Qatar’s constructive role in regional diplomacy, mediation, humanitarian efforts, and global peace initiatives.
Speaking at the meeting, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi emphasized the importance of closer cooperation between the two countries to advance shared interests. He stated that Qatar values Ethiopia as a key country in Africa and a major player in the Horn of Africa, hosting the African Union and numerous international organization offices. He underlined the importance of taking constructive steps and strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
During the consultations, both sides reviewed existing bilateral cooperation and explored ways to expand partnership in political, economic, trade, investment, and development fields. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, reaffirming their strong commitment to further strengthening and elevating the partnership for the mutual benefit of both nations and their peoples. The delegations expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the meeting and agreed to maintain regular high-level political consultations and effective follow-up.
Ethiopia and Qatar have enjoyed longstanding diplomatic relations spanning more than 30 years. In July 1995, both countries opened their respective embassies in Addis Ababa and Doha. Since then, the two nations have signed over 20 bilateral agreements across various sectors.
Ethiopia- Dubai Business Connect Forum Held in Addis Ababa
The Ethiopia–Dubai Business Connect Forum was held in Addis Ababa on Friday (May 2026), with the aim of assessing trade and investment opportunities between Ethiopia and the UAE and further advancing economic ties.
Speaking at the forum, the President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, highlighted Ethiopia’s strategic importance for trade and investment in East Africa. He noted that Ethiopia presents growing opportunities for Dubai-based companies in sectors including logistics, trade, agriculture, food products, and services. He expressed interest in expanding business partnerships and further strengthening engagement with Ethiopia’s private sector. According to him, non-oil trade between Dubai and Ethiopia has increased significantly over the last few years.
Addressing the gathering, Amha Hailegeorgis, Deputy Director General for Middle East, Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, underlined Ethiopia’s strategic location in the Horn of Africa, the availability of a young and capable workforce, a resilient economy, and ongoing economic reforms as key factors positioning the country as a promising destination for foreign trade and investment. He noted that the UAE remains one of Ethiopia’s key development and investment partners, with bilateral trade and investment ties expanding over time, reflecting strengthened cooperation between the two countries. He further stated that 169 Emirati companies are currently operating in Ethiopia in sectors including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, construction, real estate, hospitality, and wholesale and retail services. He invited UAE investors to explore opportunities in agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, renewable energy, mining, tourism, pharmaceuticals, digital services including telecommunications, banking, as well as wholesale and retail trade.
Ambassador Jemal Beker, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the UAE, outlined key factors supporting investment in Ethiopia, including ongoing policy reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, expanding infrastructure such as rail and aviation networks, access to large markets through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), as well as Ethiopia’s geographic proximity to the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. He also emphasized the country’s demographic profile as an additional consideration for investors.
Rashed Abdulla Alshehhi, representative of the UAE Embassy in Addis Ababa, stated that Ethiopia and the UAE are strategic economic partners, underscoring the importance of strengthening cooperation to support long-term public and private sector investment.
The Vice President of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, Aynalem Abayneh, noted that Ethiopia offers a wide range of investment opportunities across key sectors and encouraged Dubai investors to explore available trade and investment prospects. Eng. Abebe Gurmessa, Vice President of the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce, also emphasized the readiness of local businesses across various sectors to engage with Dubai-based partners.
In addition to the opening remarks by invited dignitaries, presentations were delivered on trade and investment opportunities in both Ethiopia and the UAE. The forum served as a platform for discussing avenues of cooperation between the business communities of Dubai and Ethiopia.
Ethiopia continues to present significant potential as an emerging hub for trade and investment in Africa. Supported by ongoing economic reforms, investor-oriented policies, and infrastructure development, the country continues to attract foreign investors seeking partnerships with local enterprises.
The forum brought together senior officials, business leaders, and representatives of local companies from both countries.
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