NEWS IN A Week in the Horn 27.06.2025
Ethiopia
A delegation led by President Taye Atske Selassie attended the U.S .-Africa Business Summit from June 22 to 25 in Luanda, Angola, and held bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the summit.
Prime Minister Abiy Amed recieved on Thursday (June 26) Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where they discussed key bilateral and continental issues of mutual interest. the Vice President upon his arrival to Addis Ababa, he was welcomed by Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos.
PM Abiy held talks with General Michael E. Langley, Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), on Friday (June 20), focusing on strengthening cooperation between Ethiopia and the United States in the areas of regional peace, security, and counterterrorism. (See article)
As part of continued engagements with stakeholders across various sectors, Prime Minister Abiy convened a high-level consultative meeting with leaders of competing political parties on Thursday (June 19). The dialogue focused on critical national issues, including constitutional reform, national dialogue, institutional restructuring, peace and stability, displacement and return, economic transformation, corruption, social inclusion, access to the sea, and the broader vision for Ethiopia’s future. (See article)
The Premier also held discussions with media professionals on Tuesday (June 24), urging journalists to act responsibly, look beyond surface-level information, and prioritize the national interest. Earlier, on Sunday (June 22), he met with health professionals to highlight progress in expanding health infrastructure, workforce growth, increased private sector participation, and advancements in local pharmaceutical production and digital health systems.
FM Gedion visited the “Ethiopia Through the Eyes of Diplomats” photo exhibition at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Friday (June 27). Themed “Togetherness – Celebrating Diversity and Harmony,” the photo exhibition is a collaborative project organized by the Addis Ababa-based diplomatic corps, the Culture Club, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera met with Portuguese Ambassador to Ethiopia Luísa Fragoso on Wednesday (June 25) in his office. The two officials reaffirmed the longstanding relations between Ethiopia and Portugal and discussed ways to deepen trade and investment ties.
Ambassador Hadera received Algerian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mohammed Khalid on Monday (June 23) to review bilateral cooperation and follow up on outcomes of the 5th Ethiopia–Algeria Joint Ministerial Commission held in April.
Ambassador Hadera also met with Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Nasir Aminu on Monday (June 23) for discussions on issues of mutual interest. Both sides expressed commitment to deepening the longstanding diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Nigeria.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye met with Workinesh Mekonnen, Director of the UNOPS Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office, on Wednesday (June 25) in Addis Ababa. The two held productive discussions on enhancing the long-standing partnership between Ethiopia and UNOPS.
The Ethiopian Trade and Investment Business-to-Business (B2B) Forum was successfully held on Wednesday (June 25) at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa. The event brought together officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ethiopian Investment Commission, and Board Members of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, as well as members of the Ethiopian business community and foreign company representatives, primarily from China. (See article)
The National Bank of Ethiopia released a new directive on Wednesday (June 25), marking the final step in opening the country’s financial sector to foreign investors. Directive No. SBB/94/2025, issued following broad consultations and the recent Banking Business Proclamation, allows foreign banks and strategic investors to enter the Ethiopian market via subsidiaries, branches, or representative offices.
Ethiopia participated in the BRICS Urbanization Ministerial Forum held in Brasilia, Brazil, on Tuesday (June 24). Ethiopian Ambassador to Brazil, Leulseged Tadesse, presented Ethiopia’s integrated urban development initiatives, highlighting the Urban Corridor Development aimed at making cities inclusive, safe, green, and sustainable.
Djibouti
President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh reaffirmed on Monday (June 23), via videoconference, his country’s confidence in the central role of the United Nations in promoting global peace, security, and sustainable development, marking the UN’s 80th anniversary.
Africa and the African Union
At the USA-Africa Summit in Luanda on Tuesday (June 24), African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf described U.S.-Africa private sector collaboration as a game changer for shared prosperity. He emphasized Africa’s shift from aid to co-created business partnerships and highlighted opportunities in manufacturing, digital technology, energy, and agribusiness for U.S. investors.
The Fourth Annual Southern African National Public Health Institute Meeting was held in Harare on Thursday (June 26) under the theme “Strengthened Information, Knowledge Sharing and Peer-to-Peer Mentorship.” Health experts and officials called on all AU member states to establish fully functional national public health institutes (NPHIs) capable of leading disease prevention and emergency response.
Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh said on Saturday (June 21) that Ethiopia is advancing seamless institutional structures through comprehensive governance reforms. He was speaking at the 10th Continental Africa Public Service Day (APSD), held in Addis Ababa under the theme “Building agile and resilient public institutions for equitable service delivery.”
Note: For detailed reports, please check out the rest of this week’s news published in separate posts