Ethiopia and Colombia Convene Business Roundtable to Expand Economic Cooperation

Addis Ababa, August 26, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia and Colombia convened a high-level business roundtable today at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Addis Ababa, bringing together senior government officials, business leaders, and institutional representatives from both countries to explore avenues for enhanced economic cooperation.

The Ethiopian delegation was led by State Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Yasmin Wahabrebi, and included representatives from the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce, the Ethiopian Investment Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and members of the private sector.

The Colombian side was headed by Vice Minister for Foreign Trade, Felipe Quintero Suarez, accompanied by Colombia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Yeison Arcadio Meneses Copete, as well as representatives from ProColombia, Fondo Mujer, MinComercio, and Ella Exporta a África.

In her opening remarks, State Minister Yasmin Wahabrebi underscored Ethiopia’s wide-ranging economic reforms, noting macroeconomic and structural adjustments, the liberalization of the telecommunications and banking sectors, and the modernization of trade directives. She further emphasized Ethiopia’s active engagement in continental and global frameworks, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ongoing World Trade Organization (WTO) accession negotiations, stressing the importance of translating these reforms into stronger trade and investment linkages with Colombia.

Vice Minister Felipe Quintero Suarez highlighted Ethiopia’s strategic geographic position as an entry point to African markets and reaffirmed Colombia’s commitment to advancing South–South cooperation. He announced the reopening of Colombia’s diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa and pointed to ongoing bilateral negotiations covering air services, visa facilitation, and cooperation in trade and cultural exchange.

The roundtable concluded with both delegations expressing optimism about forging durable partnerships across diverse sectors, positioning Ethiopia and Colombia to expand trade, investment, and economic collaboration in the years ahead.