The Ethiopia-China (Shaanxi) Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference was held on Tuesday (October 21) in Addis Ababa. The event brought together Ethiopian government representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, the Ministry of Water and Energy, and the Ethiopian Investment Commission, along with leaders from the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations and officials from China’s Shaanxi Province.
The conference aimed to strengthen economic cooperation between Ethiopia and China’s Shaanxi Province by promoting trade and investment. It was jointly organized by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ethiopian Investment Commission, the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, and the Shaanxi Department of Commerce.
In his remarks, the State Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Endalew Mekonnen, noted that trade relations between Ethiopia and China have been steadily growing. He highlighted that Ethiopia exports a wide range of agricultural, industrial, and mineral products to China, and that bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 6.37 billion in 2024, though the trade balance remains in China’s favor. He added that, following Ethiopia’s macroeconomic reforms, the country has opened up new trade and investment opportunities for private investors and encouraged companies from Shaanxi Province to expand their engagement.
The Executive Vice Governor of Shaanxi Province, Wang Xiao, reaffirmed the long-standing strategic partnership between Ethiopia and China. He described Shaanxi as the cradle of ancient Chinese civilization, a center of innovation, and a gateway for trade and investment. Emphasizing Ethiopia’s abundant natural resources, he expressed the interest of Shaanxi-based companies in deepening their trade and investment presence in the country.
The Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Zeleke Temesgen, highlighted the employment opportunities created by Chinese investors and reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to supporting foreign ventures. He noted that Ethiopia currently hosts over 3,430 Chinese investment projects, representing more than USD 9.5 billion. The Commissioner also underscored Ethiopia’s strategic geographic position for market access and explained that, through its Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, the government has opened various sectors to broaden foreign investor participation, most recently allowing foreign involvement in export, import, wholesale, and retail trade. He expressed hope that the conference would serve as a platform to highlight new opportunities and invited Chinese companies to expand their investments in key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, ICT, tourism, and mining.
During the opening session, Ambassador Dewano Kedir emphasized Ethiopia’s commitment to further strengthening its long-standing partnership with China, while Chargé d’Affaires Sun Mingxi noted the continued expansion and success of Ethio-China cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC. Representatives from the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Commerce, the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, and the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce also delivered remarks on behalf of the private sector. The session concluded with a presentation on Ethiopian investment opportunities delivered by a representative of the Ethiopian Investment Commission.
The conference brought together more than 200 business participants from both sides, including leaders from 16 major companies in Shaanxi Province. It also marked a key milestone as Shaanxi Automobile Group (Shacman), a leading international vehicle manufacturer, and BEAKA General Trading Plc, a diversified Ethiopian company, signed the first batch of order contracts to import Shacman heavy-duty vehicles powered by liquefied and compressed natural gas into Ethiopia. Beyond this trading partnership, the two companies announced plans to jointly assemble heavy trucks in Ethiopia in the future.