Addis Ababa, September 27, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia hosted the 2025 China-Ethiopia Industry Matchmaking Event in its capital on Friday, reinforcing industrial cooperation and fostering policy coordination between China, Ethiopia, and other BRICS member states.
Addressing the gathering, Zhuang Rongliang, vice mayor of Xiamen City in southeast China and director-general of the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution Innovation Center (BRICS PartNIR Innovation Center), underscored the expanding trade and investment ties between Xiamen and Ethiopia.
“Since its launch two years ago, the BRICS freight air route connecting Xiamen, Addis Ababa, and Sao Paulo has completed 598 flights, facilitating $750 million in trade,” Zhuang noted, emphasizing how increased air connectivity is strengthening links across China, Africa, and South America.
Highlighting the strategic purpose of the matchmaking event, Zhuang called on both governments and enterprises to enhance policy alignment and collaborative efforts, aiming to accelerate industrial advancement across BRICS nations.
Tarekegn Bululta, Ethiopia’s state minister of industry, said the event offers a strategic platform for synchronizing Chinese expertise and resources with Ethiopia’s industrial ambitions. “By partnering with Ethiopian entrepreneurs, Chinese companies can expedite project implementation, mitigate operational risks, access premier local talent, and navigate the market with greater agility,” he said.
Tarekegn also encouraged Chinese investors to explore Ethiopia’s diverse investment sectors, supporting the country’s vision of becoming a premier manufacturing hub in Africa.
Liu Xiaoguang, minister-counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, highlighted the extensive cooperation between the two nations in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, digitalization, green development, and capacity building. “This matchmaking event facilitates knowledge exchange, strengthens industrial synergy, and advances mutually beneficial development,” Liu said, adding that China will continue to support Ethiopia in developing local value chains, manufacturing capabilities, critical mineral processing, and efforts toward joining the World Trade Organization.
The event also witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the BRICS PartNIR Innovation Center and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, aimed at establishing a platform to help enterprises from China and other BRICS countries access and capitalize on Ethiopia’s market potential, according to Xinhua.