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.
The forum aimed to facilitate trade and investment exchanges and create direct linkages between Ethiopian and international companies across key sectors.
Ambassador Negus Kebede, Director-General of the Middle East, Asian and Pacific Countries’ Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered opening remarks. He emphasized Ethiopia’s strategic geographical location as a natural gateway to Africa, with proximity to both European and Middle Eastern markets. He also highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to foster a conducive investment environment, guided by the 10-Year Development Plan and the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda.
Ambassador Negus elaborated on Ethiopia’s macroeconomic, fiscal, and structural reforms aimed at boosting industrial output, diversifying exports, and achieving inclusive and sustainable growth. He noted recent liberalization efforts, including the opening of Ethiopia’s financial sector to foreign banks, the launch of the country’s first capital market, and the liberalization of telecommunications, logistics, energy, and retail sectors. He encouraged foreign investors to seize these opportunities and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting their engagement.
He also highlighted Ethiopia’s competitive advantages, including a dynamic and trainable labor force, vast arable land, and a favorable climate for agribusiness. The Ambassador invited investors to explore opportunities in priority sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, mining, renewable energy, tourism, and the digital economy.
Zhao Zhinjiang, Chairman of Shanghai Huiguan Cultural Media Co., Ltd. and head of the foreign business delegation, expressed optimism about the potential for trade and investment collaboration in Ethiopia. He acknowledged the country’s large population and market potential and noted his institution’s continued engagement with Ethiopian partners, including co-organizing the forum in collaboration with the Ethiopian Embassy in China.
Mekonnin Hailu, Team Leader at the Ethiopian Investment Commission, delivered a presentation outlining Ethiopia’s investment landscape, available incentives, and key policy initiatives aimed at supporting investors.
The forum featured sector-specific B2B and matchmaking sessions in areas such as manufacturing, agriculture, agro-processing, new energy and e-mobility, infrastructure and construction, transport and logistics, mining, tourism and hospitality, and pharmaceuticals and health.
The event attracted participants from the local and international business communities and served as an important platform to deepen commercial partnerships and promote future collaboration.