ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Top officials from Ethiopia and Israel came together on Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Addis Ababa for a high-level business forum aimed at expanding economic cooperation between the two nations.
The Ethiopia-Israel Business Forum was jointly led by Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos, and Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar. The event, themed “Strengthening Bilateral Relations through Innovation,” brought together government agencies, investors, and businesses to explore new opportunities in trade and investment.
Minister Gedion described the Ethiopia-Israel relationship as one rooted in history and strengthened through shared values. He told attendees that the bilateral ties, which have grown across sectors like agriculture, water management, health, defence, technology, and education, are now poised to enter a new economic phase.
“Economic diplomacy is no longer an accessory—it is the engine of our foreign policy,” he told participants, stressing the need for deeper commercial partnerships. He called for Israeli involvement in Ethiopia’s emerging fields such as agritech, precision farming, and smart irrigation systems. He also pointed to the potential of Israel’s startup ecosystem to support Ethiopia’s digital transformation and artificial intelligence sectors.
The Ethiopian government also invited Israeli investors to take part in its bid to become a regional pharmaceutical production hub under the Africa CDC, with opportunities in manufacturing, health research, and innovation. The country’s mineral wealth and tourism landscape, including sites of shared religious and cultural significance, were also promoted as areas for collaboration.
In his remarks, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Ethiopia and Israel are regional powers with deep historical links and shared futures. He welcomed Ethiopia’s investment climate and confirmed that Israeli businesses are ready to expand operations in the country.
The event concluded with presentations from Ethiopian government agencies including the National Bank, the Ethiopian Investment Commission, and Ethiopian Investment Holdings, as well as private companies.
