Addis Ababa, May 19, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia has renewed its drive to deepen economic and trade engagement with European partners as the Ethiopia-Benelux Business Forum officially opened in Luxembourg, bringing together government officials, investors, business leaders and development partners from Ethiopia and the Benelux countries.
The multi-country business forum is aimed at strengthening commercial relations, expanding business-to-business engagement and creating new investment partnerships between Ethiopia and the Benelux region comprising Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
More than 20 Ethiopian companies are taking part in the forum, presenting investment and trade opportunities across several strategic sectors as Ethiopia intensifies efforts to position itself as a competitive investment destination in Africa.
Speaking at the opening session, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the European Union, Ambassador Eshete Tilahun, said the country’s ongoing macroeconomic reforms, expanding market liberalization measures and private sector-driven economic transition are accelerating Ethiopia’s broader economic transformation.
The ambassador stressed that Ethiopia is actively working to attract foreign direct investment in key sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, mining, information and communication technology, renewable energy, tourism, healthcare and logistics.
Highlighting Ethiopia’s strategic geographic position and growing connectivity to African markets, Ambassador Eshete said ongoing infrastructure expansion, reforms aimed at improving the business climate and rising clean energy capacity spearheaded by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam are strengthening the country’s attractiveness to international investors.
He further called on investors and business communities from Luxembourg and the wider Benelux region to capitalize on emerging opportunities in Ethiopia and establish long-term, sustainable economic partnerships.
The opening ceremony also featured remarks from Director of International Affairs at the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce Cindy Tereba, Luxembourg’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Jeanne Crauser and Interim President of the CBL-ACP Dominiek Viaene.
The Ethiopia-Benelux Business Forum, which began in Luxembourg on Monday, will continue in Brussels from May 19 to 22, 2026, with additional business engagements and investment discussions scheduled throughout the forum, the Ethiopian Embassy in Brussels told Fana Media Corporation.