Addis Ababa, May 6, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia-Israel Business Forum was held today at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Addis Ababa. The Forum was co-officiated by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos, together with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar.
The Business Forum was held under the theme “Strengthening Bilateral Relations through Innovation.”
In his keynote address, Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos highlighted the exceptional relations between Ethiopia and Israel that is “steeped in ancient ties, inspired by shared values, and constantly evolving through modern cooperation.” Over the years, he stated, engagements between the two countries have expanded across key areas—agriculture, water management, health, defence, technology, and education.
“Today, we stand at the threshold of a new chapter—one that places economic cooperation at the very heart of our partnership”, FM Gedion noted. Speaking of the historic event, Foreign Minister Gedion said that the Forum signals that economic diplomacy is no longer a supplementary pursuit—it is now the very engine of our foreign policy and a key pillar of national transformation.
Highlighting prospects for shared and mutually beneficial endeavours, he said, “Looking forward, we see immense potential in strengthening partnerships in agritech, precision agriculture, and irrigation systems”. “Beyond agriculture,” he added, “Israel’s globally admired startup and high-tech ecosystem holds transformative potential for Ethiopia’s digital economy and AI-driven industries.”
As Ethiopia works to establish itself as a regional pharmaceutical hub under Africa CDC, we invite Israeli companies to explore investment in manufacturing, research, and healthcare innovation, he told participants. He further called upon Israeli companies to exploit opportunities in mineral exploration and value-added processing, aligned with Ethiopia’s goal of unlocking its critical mineral potential.
Citing Ethiopia’s tapestry of tourism potential, FM Gedion also invited Israeli tourists to discover shared spiritual heritage, ancient Christian traditions, and UNESCO-listed landmarks.
He concluded his remarks with a reaffirmation of Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to strengthening its economic ties with its steadfast partner and friend, that is Israel, and urging Israeli businesses to not only invest in Ethiopia, but to help shape a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous future for the peoples of both countries.
Visiting Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, on his part said, Ethiopia and Israel are two regional powers with mutual friends and common future. He stated the fact that common heritages play a pivotal role in the success of multifaceted endeavours between the two countries.
Commending the various opportunities offered by Ethiopia, FM Sa’ar expressed the readiness of Israeli investors to do business and engage in investment in the country.
The statements were followed by thematic presentations by representatives of respective government agencies including the National Bank, Ethiopian Investment Commission and Ethiopian Investment Holdings, businesses and companies highlighting key investment and trade potentials that contribute significantly to forging strategic partnerships between Ethiopia and Israel.