- During his two-day mission to Addis Ababa, International Partnerships Commissioner Jozef Síkela (pictured), opened the EU-Ethiopia Business Forum and announced a new major investments package. This will strengthen the partnership between the European Union and Ethiopia and advance the European Global Gateway investments strategy.
Speaking during the visit, Commissioner Síkela said: “Ethiopia has the scale, the ambition and the potential to be one of Africa’s defining economies. Through Global Gateway, we are investing in what matters most, jobs, skills, connectivity and sustainable growth. This visit confirms our strong partnership and our shared commitment to deliver concrete results.”
On the first day of his visit, Commissioner Síkela opened the EU–Ethiopia Business Forum, bringing together over 500 participants – including European and Ethiopian companies, investors and public institutions – to advance trade and investment ties and foster concrete partnerships.
At the Forum, the Commissioner announced a package of new initiatives including a Digital Economy Package, new European Investment Bank (EIB) financing for farmers and rural households, and the resumption of EU budget support to Ethiopia. These measures send a clear signal of confidence in Ethiopia’s reform path and in the strength of the EU-Ethiopia partnership.
During his visit, Commissioner Síkela held high-level meetings with Ethiopian and African Union key players to advance cooperation on both sides.
He met with President Taye Atske Selassie to reinforce the EU-Ethiopian partnership and support the economic reforms. On this occasion they also discussed the stability of Ethiopia and of the wider region. Commissioner Síkela exchanged with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Global Gateway investments in Ethiopia, with a focus on reliable access to clean energy, health, education and sustainable coffee value chains. He met with H.E. Dr Gedion Timothewos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, to discuss how a strong partnership with Ethiopia is a strategic investment for both sides.
With the African Union Commission Chairperson H.E. Mr Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the exchange focused on how Global Gateway investments can support sustainable growth, regional integration and value chains across Africa, with Global Gateway not only investing in transformative infrastructures but also in local value,better skills and new quality jobs.
During the visit, the European Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat advanced their cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding, supporting trade facilitation, regional integration and economic opportunities across the continent. Through a €1.2 billion Team Europe initiative, funded by several EU Member States and the EU, the partnership aims to unlock new opportunities for companies and people, while strengthening value chains and the overall development of Africa.
The Commissioner also visited several projects supported by Team Europe, illustrating the EU’s engagement on the ground and its focus on delivering tangible results for people.
At the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Commissioner highlighted Team Europe’s support to strengthening health security and resilience in Africa, including through a continental health package worth over €100 million.
At the Government Job Centre in Bole Bulbula, supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Commissioner Síkela saw how programmes help create jobs, support skills development and facilitate the reintegration of returnees, including through strengthened legal migration pathways.
As coffee is the pillar of Ethiopia’s economy and since Europe is the largest buyer of its coffee, Commissioner Síkela visited the Coffee Training Centre of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, the first of its kind in Africa. It is financed by Italy and supports skills development, value addition and job creation across Ethiopia’s coffee value chain.