Addis Ababa, November 24, 2025 (FMC) — Singapore is set to open its first embassy in East Africa in Addis Ababa, its third in all of Africa, the Southeast Asian country’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Monday during a joint press briefing with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the National Palace in the Ethiopian capital.
Recall that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hosted an official welcoming ceremony for Premier Lawrence Wong yesterday at the National Palace where the two leaders had a tête-à-tête, bilateral talks, and witnessed signing of MoUs. The two leaders also delivered a joint press briefing on the outcome of their meetings and the growing ties between the two countries.
On the occasion, Premier Lawrence Wong said the new embassy underscores Singapore’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Ethiopia and expanding engagement with Africa. He noted that Addis Ababa, as the host city of the African Union, provides a strategic location for Singapore’s diplomatic presence on the continent.
“This will be our first embassy in East Africa and our third in Africa,” Wong said, describing the decision as “a tangible demonstration of Singapore’s commitment to our partnership with Ethiopia and our belief in Ethiopia’s strategic importance and potential.”
The Singaporean Premier added that the embassy will enable his country to strengthen ties with Africa as a whole, facilitate closer engagement with the African Union, deepen understanding of the continent, and explore new areas of cooperation. He said he has shared these plans with Prime Minister Abiy and looks forward to Ethiopia’s support in implementing them.
Wong emphasized that Ethiopia and Singapore maintain a longstanding friendship and that the partnership is one of equals, focused on practical, win-win cooperation.
He highlighted that earlier today the two nations signed two Memoranda of Understanding—one on skills development and another on collaboration in carbon credits—which will support both countries in advancing development and climate objectives. He also noted the relevance of this collaboration as Ethiopia prepares to host COP32 in 2027.
In addition, PM Wong announced the launch of the Singapore–Africa Partnership Leading to Growth and Sustainability (SAPLINGS) package, which will provide African officials with study visits, executive education programs, and postgraduate scholarships in Singapore. Wong described the initiative as planting “green shoots” that can grow into long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.
Concluding his remarks, PM Wong said there is significant potential to expand bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Singapore, and to strengthen connectivity and trade flows between Southeast Asia and Africa. “I look forward to taking our relations to even greater heights,” he said.