Ethiopia Advances AfCFTA Goals with Inauguration of First Phase of Modern Logistics Hub in Mojo
Ethiopia Welcomes the New Year with the Diplomatic Community in Week-Long Celebrations
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed participated in the 18th BRICS Summit, hosted in New Delhi on September 12–13, under the theme “Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.” Heads of State and Government of BRICS countries, partner countries, and leaders of outreach countries, as well as invited international and regional organizations, also took part. (See article)
New Year celebrations, jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture and Sport, were held at 52 embassies in Addis Ababa from September 7 to 10. The programs provided members of the diplomatic community with an opportunity to learn about and celebrate Ethiopia’s New Year traditions together with Ethiopians, welcoming the New Year in a spirit of friendship and cultural exchange. (See article)
Djibouti
State Minister Ambassador Hadera Abera participated in the 74th Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers held in Djibouti on Monday (September 15), which reviewed key regional developments and challenges affecting the IGAD region.
Africa and the African Union
The first phase of the expansion of a modern logistics hub was inaugurated in Mojo, Ethiopia, on Thursday (September 10), in a ceremony officiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The 60-hectare facility, equipped with terminals and warehouses capable of handling up to one million 20-foot containers annually, is expected to strengthen Ethiopia’s logistics capacity and contribute to the country’s efforts to advance the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). (See article)
PM Abiy Underscores the Value of BRICS Cooperation in Creating a Fairer International System at 18th BRICS Summit
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed participated in the 18th BRICS Summit, hosted in New Delhi on September 12–13, under the theme “Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.” Heads of State and Government of BRICS countries, partner countries, and leaders of outreach countries, as well as invited international and regional organizations, also took part.
The Summit featured high-level deliberations on inclusive global governance, multilateralism, resilience, innovation, sustainability, and global growth. In the first session, discussions centred on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateral Cooperation,” covering issues including comprehensive reform of the global governance architecture through greater representation of developing countries, the central role of dialogue and diplomacy in the peaceful resolution of differences, and development-oriented cooperation.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Abiy highlighted key milestones, including achieving food security, domestic production of pharmaceuticals, and advancing digital transformation. He also highlighted Ethiopia’s commitment, demonstrated through the establishment of the Medemer Artificial Intelligence University, to meeting Africa’s growing demand for research, development, and innovation. Underscoring the significance Ethiopia attaches to its BRICS membership, the Prime Minister expressed Ethiopia’s strong commitment to working alongside BRICS member states to foster development partnerships and advance common interests.
The leaders’ segment also convened in an open session involving invited countries and international organizations. In his address, Prime Minister Abiy underscored the need to cooperate in shaping a fair international system and expanding economic opportunities. He called for stronger African representation and practical steps to advance trade, investment, and connectivity.
The Prime Minister also proposed hosting a New Development Bank (NDB) branch office in Addis Ababa to extend the Bank’s reach across Africa, establishing BRICS-AU coordination, and creating a BRICS COP coordinating track towards Addis. He further emphasized that, with the full backing of BRICS, COP32 in Addis Ababa can serve as an inclusive platform for advancing climate action and sustainable development. He also extended an invitation to leaders and representatives to participate in COP32 deliberations.
BRICS Leaders endorsed the New Delhi Declaration, which outlines the shared priorities, commitments, and directions for practical and solution-oriented BRICS cooperation. The Declaration was negotiated by the third Meeting of BRICS Sherpas and Sous Sherpas, held from September 6–10, 2026. The Ethiopian delegation, led by Ambassador Lemlem Fiseha, Ethiopia’s BRICS Sous Sherpa, made a significant contribution to the negotiations leading to the consensual adoption of the New Delhi Declaration.
The New Delhi Declaration reflects the collective stance of BRICS countries on key global issues, including global governance reform, international and regional peace, sustainable economic growth, and people-to-people exchange. It reaffirmed the commitment of BRICS countries to inclusive global governance and growth, and effective multilateralism centred on the United Nations.
In particular, the Declaration affirms the robust support of BRICS for Ethiopia’s ongoing accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ethiopia’s candidature as the sole candidate endorsed by the African Union (AU) to assume the additional seat at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council, and Ethiopia’s preparation to host the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32).
The Declaration also captures Ethiopia’s positions in various sectors, including industry, transport, digital technologies, finance, health, education, culture, tourism, and others. As stipulated in various parts of the Declaration, Ethiopia has promoted its initiatives in afforestation and disaster risk management, and advanced the common African position and interests. Further, Ethiopia has advanced its principled position on issues of regional peace and security, emerging global developments, environment and climate change, energy, and the right to development.
BRICS Leaders also planted saplings, showcasing the collective resolve of the countries to advance environmental sustainability and nurture a greater future. In addition to the high-level deliberations, the BRICS Business Council and the BRICS Women Business Alliance presented their annual activity reports to the leaders.
On the sidelines of the Summit, Prime Minister Abiy held bilateral discussions with leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, including India, Russia, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Iran, Kazakhstan, and the UAE. These high-level talks focused on deepening bilateral cooperation in the areas of economic development, technology and digitalization, defence and security, and collaborating on regional and global issues of common concern.
Other events, including the unveiling of two postage stamps, the BRICS Business Forum, the “Bharat Innovates” exposition, the BRICS Symphony, BRICS Bazaar, and the BRICS Mural Art, were also conducted, involving artists from across BRICS countries, including Ethiopians.
As BRICS enters its third decade, following eighteen Summits, BRICS leaders have renewed their commitment to strengthening multilateral diplomacy, guided by the values of a more representative and fairer international order, a reinvigorated and reformed multilateral system, sustainable development, and inclusive growth. The commemoration of BRICS’ 20-year journey reviewed the major milestones in the partnership among BRICS countries. The leaders also put forth their expectations that BRICS would continue to realise practical and concrete deliverables in the coming years.
The New Delhi Summit concluded the Ministerial segment of India’s chairship in 2026, which convened more than 350 virtual and in-person meetings in thirty cities across the country. India’s chairship also saw the conclusion of 30 outcome documents. China is the incoming chair of BRICS for 2027.
Ethiopia Advances AfCFTA Goals with Inauguration of First Phase of Modern Logistics Hub in Mojo
The first phase of the expansion of a modern logistics hub was inaugurated in Mojo, Ethiopia, on Thursday (September 10), in a ceremony officiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The 60-hectare facility, equipped with terminals and warehouses capable of handling up to one million 20-foot containers annually, is expected to strengthen Ethiopia’s logistics capacity and contribute to the country’s efforts to advance the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, PM Abiy underscored the importance of logistics to national development, particularly for a developing country such as Ethiopia, with its large economy and growing population. He noted that the expansion of the Mojo dry port is part of measures undertaken in recent years to reduce the cost of imported goods, contain inflation and facilitate economic growth.
The Prime Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve railway efficiency along the Ethio-Djibouti corridor. He noted that the capacity of the Mojo facility has been significantly expanded, alongside increased automation across various operations.
Prime Minister Abiy further emphasized the need for continued efforts to reduce logistics costs and strengthen the country’s transport infrastructure. He also highlighted Ethiopia’s efforts to develop its air transport sector and position the country as a major hub for air connectivity in Africa, noting the importance of coordinated development involving Mojo, Bishoftu and related infrastructure projects.
The expansion of the Mojo logistics hub, which includes Ethiopia’s first Rail-Mounted Gantry (RMG) crane and digital infrastructure to enhance cargo handling and logistics operations, contributes to the broader objectives of the AfCFTA. The Agreement seeks to promote intra-African trade and economic integration through the creation of a single market for goods and services. Improved logistics infrastructure can help reduce trade costs, facilitate the movement of goods and services, and strengthen connections with regional and continental markets.
The expansion of the Mojo logistics hub therefore represents an important step in strengthening Ethiopia’s trade and transport infrastructure and advancing its regional integration and economic development objectives.
Ethiopia Welcomes the New Year with the Diplomatic Community in Week-Long Celebrations
New Year celebrations, jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture and Sport, were held at 52 embassies in Addis Ababa from September 7 to 10. The programs provided members of the diplomatic community with an opportunity to learn about and celebrate Ethiopia’s New Year traditions together with Ethiopians, welcoming the New Year in a spirit of friendship and cultural exchange.
Ethiopia follows its own calendar, in which the New Year falls on September 11 or 12. The occasion is marked by a range of distinctive cultural traditions. On the eve of the New Year, young girls carrying Adey Abeba, the yellow flower associated with the season, visit homes in their neighborhoods and sing the traditional song “Abeba Ayesh Wey?” (Have you seen the flower?), announcing the arrival of the New Year and the spring season. They are traditionally welcomed with gifts and blessings.
The Ethiopian calendar consists of 13 months, with the 13th month, Pagume, comprising five days in a common year and six days in a leap year. The month is marked by various cultural and public activities. In 2018 E.C., Pagume was observed under the theme “የኢትዮጵያ ማንሠራራት” (Ethiopia’s Renewal), highlighting themes related to national development, unity, equality, and fraternity.
During the celebrations at the embassies, officials representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture and Sport delivered messages of goodwill on the occasion. Cultural troupes from various theaters performed the traditional “Abeba Ayesh Wey?” song, while Ethiopian handicrafts and locally produced items, including coffee, were presented as gifts.
Heads and representatives of the embassies conveyed their New Year greetings to the Ethiopian people and expressed their hopes for peace, development, and prosperity in the coming year. The programs also provided an opportunity for members of the diplomatic community to experience Ethiopia’s cultural traditions and share in the celebrations marking the beginning of the New Year.
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