Emphasising the growing strategic partnership between India and Ethiopia, H.E. Nebiyu Tedla, Ambassador-designate of Ethiopia to India, called upon Indian businesses to explore Ethiopia’s expanding trade and investment opportunities at the Ethio-India Business Forum and Exhibition, held on 29 June 2026 at Hotel Samrat, New Delhi.
The forum, organised by the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration of Ethiopia in collaboration with the Embassy of Ethiopia in New Delhi, brought together government officials, business leaders, exporters, and investors from both countries to strengthen commercial ties and unlock new avenues of bilateral cooperation.
Welcoming the participants, Ambassador Tedla described the event as taking place at a defining moment in India-Ethiopia relations.”This forum and exhibition is being held at a particularly significant time in the Ethio-India bilateral relations. Building on the momentum generated by the State Visit of His Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Ethiopia, our two countries have elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. Today, we have an excellent opportunity to translate that political goodwill into a stronger trade, investment, and business partnership.”
Highlighting Ethiopia’s ongoing economic transformation, Ambassador Tedla noted that the country has embarked on comprehensive macroeconomic reforms aimed at ensuring economic stability, encouraging private-sector participation, and strengthening regional integration.
He said Ethiopia has implemented wide-ranging legal and regulatory reforms, invested significantly in infrastructure, and promoted dynamic public-private partnerships to create a more competitive and investor-friendly business environment. “Through legal and regulatory reforms, significant infrastructure investments, and dynamic public-private partnerships, Ethiopia is steadily creating a conducive and competitive environment for investors and traders.”
The Ambassador underscored Ethiopia’s unique economic strengths, pointing to its abundant natural resources, youthful workforce, and rapidly expanding consumer market. As Africa’s second-most populous nation, he said, Ethiopia offers businesses a strategic gateway to the continent.
He further highlighted the country’s geographical advantage and growing connectivity through Ethiopian Airlines, which operates flights to more than 166 international destinations, including five major Indian cities, positioning Addis Ababa as a leading hub for trade, logistics, and investment across Africa. “With abundant natural resources, a large and youthful workforce, and Africa’s second-largest consumer market, Ethiopia offers a compelling and strategic trade and investment destination.”
Agriculture, Ambassador Tedla observed, remains the backbone of Ethiopia’s economy. The country is among Africa’s leading producers of premium-quality coffee, pulses, and oilseeds, offering reliable supply chains and significant opportunities for value addition.
Recognising India’s position as one of the world’s largest consumers and trading partners in these commodities, he described India as a “natural and strategic partner” for Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation.
The Ambassador stressed that collaboration between Ethiopia’s agricultural resources and India’s technological expertise, entrepreneurial capacity, and industrial capabilities could generate substantial benefits for both nations. “By combining Ethiopia’s abundant agricultural resources with India’s expertise, technology, and entrepreneurial capacity, we can create mutually beneficial partnerships that contribute to food security, industrial development, and sustainable economic growth in both countries.”
Calling for stronger business-to-business engagement, Ambassador Tedla encouraged companies from both countries to leverage the forum to establish partnerships, explore new investment opportunities, and deepen people-to-people connections.
He noted that such platforms play an essential role in converting diplomatic goodwill into tangible commercial outcomes while advancing shared prosperity.
Concluding his address, Ambassador Tedla urged Indian businesses to become active participants in Ethiopia’s continuing economic transformation. “I invite you to explore these opportunities, establish partnerships, and become part of Ethiopia’s remarkable agricultural transformation. Together, we can transform potential into prosperity, create sustainable business environments, generate employment, and build stronger economic ties between our two nations.”
Reiterating his optimism about the future of bilateral economic engagement, he concluded with a message of confidence: “The opportunities are here, the potential is immense, and the time to explore is now.”
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