Addis Ababa, February 10, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Ergogie Tesfaye, on Tuesday described India as a natural and dependable partner for Africa, saying the two regions share striking similarities in scale, diversity and development ambition.
Speaking at the launch of the report “Africa–India Blueprint for Growth” at the Indian Embassy in Addis Ababa on Monday, the minister said Africa’s partnership with India is distinguished by shared experience and practical relevance, rather than conventional diplomatic engagement.
“India mirrors Africa in scale, diversity and aspiration,” Ergogie said, noting that India’s development journey offers valuable lessons for Africa’s growth trajectory.
The report, jointly produced by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Center for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), underscores a transition from traditional diplomacy to data-driven, solution-oriented cooperation between Africa and India.
Ergogie highlighted India’s ability to achieve significant progress despite limited natural resources, pointing to its success in lifting an estimated 450 million people out of poverty and establishing advanced digital infrastructure through innovation and sustainability-focused policies.
She said India’s cooperation model—centered on tailored, collaborative solutions rather than uniform approaches—closely aligns with the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
As Addis Ababa prepares to host key engagements ahead of the African Union Summit, the minister said the report offers a credible foundation for advancing the next phase of Africa–India cooperation. She commended AUDA-NEPAD and CSEP for producing what she described as a practical and forward-looking roadmap.
Recalling Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ethiopia in December, Ergogie said the trip reinforced a strategic partnership extending beyond bilateral ties to encompass the wider African continent.
She stressed that cooperation rooted in equality and shared success is essential to addressing today’s global challenges. “Through unity and cooperation, we can strengthen our resilience in an increasingly volatile world,” she said, citing an Ethiopian proverb: “When spider webs unite, they can tie a lion.”
The minister also underscored Ethiopia’s geostrategic importance as host of the African Union headquarters, highlighting its role in facilitating continental partnerships in areas such as agriculture, digital innovation and space technology.
She outlined ongoing national initiatives, including efforts to boost agricultural productivity through precision farming and the rollout of digital identification systems to improve service delivery, expressing optimism about technology’s role in driving economic growth and food security.
Ergogie concluded by calling for collective action to translate the report’s recommendations into tangible outcomes, saying Africa and India have the potential to build a prosperous future anchored in shared ambition and mutual respect.
Also speaking at the event, India’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Anil Kumar Rai, said Africa–India relations are defined by mutual aspirations and pragmatic cooperation.
He noted India’s expanding diplomatic presence on the continent, stating that 18 of the 24 new Indian missions opened since 2018 are located in Africa, reflecting India’s deepening engagement, particularly in the Horn of Africa.
Ambassador Rai said India is Africa’s third-largest investor when viewed at the continental level and highlighted the role of the Indian diaspora in driving innovation and economic collaboration, ENA reported.
He reaffirmed India’s commitment to capacity building and investment in priority sectors identified by African countries, including steel production, cement manufacturing and road infrastructure, to support sustainable development.
Rai said the Africa–India Blueprint for Growth provides a solid platform for strengthening engagement and advancing shared development goals between Africa and India.