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.