High-Level Ethiopian, Russian Officials Agree to Tranform Ties into Economic Partnership

Addis Ababa, February 19, 2025 (ENA) – Ethiopia and Russia are actively working to transform their longstanding diplomatic ties into a robust economic partnership.

A high-level discussion was held between Ethiopian officials led by House of Federation Speaker Agegnehu Teshager and a Russian delegation led by Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation in Addis Ababa today.

Briefing the media on the discussion, House of Federation Speaker Agegnehu Teshager emphasized the importance of leveraging the shared history of the two nations to foster increased trade, investment, and technological collaboration.

The delegation is reportedly the largest Russian delegation to Ethiopia to date, signaling the growing momentum in bilateral relations and a new era of cooperation across multiple sectors.

The discussion focused on enhancing economic cooperation, with both sides exploring ways to tap into each other’s markets.

The speaker highlighted Ethiopia’s potential in sectors such as energy, mining, and agriculture, while also expressing interest in Russian expertise in large-scale farming, peaceful nuclear energy, and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and information and communication technology (ICT).

 

Ethiopia, which boasts substantial natural gas reserves, is interested in Russian investment in energy exploration and production.

Additionally, the country seeks Russian collaboration in fertilizer production, agrochemicals, and agricultural machinery to boost its agricultural sector, a cornerstone of its economy.

Russia, on the other hand, sees Ethiopia as a strategic gateway to the African market, offering opportunities for trade expansion and investment in infrastructure and industrial projects.

According to Agegnehu, the two countries are working towards a more balanced trade relationship, with Ethiopia aiming to increase exports of coffee, minerals, and other commodities to Russia.

Beyond economic ties, the talks also focused on strengthening parliamentary relations and institutional collaboration.

The speaker also emphasized the importance of fostering closer ties between the upper houses of the Ethiopian and Russian parliaments as well as enhancing cooperation within the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The Russian delegation, which included senators, ministers, commissioners, and representatives from various institutions, expressed interest in promoting the Russian language in Ethiopian higher learning institutions and supporting capacity-building initiatives.

Both sides also explored the possibility of establishing sister city agreements to further strengthen cultural and economic links.

 

Agegnehu, who described BRICS as a vital alternative platform that offers new opportunities for collaboration among emerging economies, reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to expanding its global trade and cooperation, including through platforms like BRICS.

As BRICS continues to expand, its member states will represent an increasingly significant share of the global population and economy, making it a key arena for Ethiopia’s international engagement.

Ethiopia has already established business relationships with several BRICS members and is keen to further strengthen these ties. Speaker Agegnehu expressed optimism that Ethiopia’s membership in BRICS will open doors to new markets, investments, and technological advancements.

The high-level visit marks a pivotal moment in Ethio-Russian relations, setting the stage for deeper economic, technological, and strategic cooperation. As both nations seek to capitalize on their historical ties and shared interests, the partnership holds immense potential to drive mutual growth and development.

 

As the speaker put it, this visit is a testament to the shared vision for a stronger, more comprehensive relationship, and both sides are committed to turning the historical ties into a dynamic economic partnership that will stand the test of time.

In a gesture underscoring the strengthened relationship, House Speaker Agegnehu was awarded a medal by the Russian Federation Council in recognition of his contributions to fostering closer ties between Ethiopia and Russia.

Upon receiving the medal, he stated that it was not just a personal honor but a recognition of Ethiopia’s growing role on the global stage.