Ethiopia and Malaysia elevate bilateral ties with focus on investment, digital economy, and green growth

Addis Ababa, November 20, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia and Malaysia announced an ambitious push to elevate their relationship into a model South–South partnership, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim outlining broad cooperation across industrialisation, investment, digital transformation, energy transition and global economic coordination during a joint press briefing in Addis Ababa on Wednesday.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Abiy said the visit marked “a new chapter of South–South partnership grounded in shared values of harmony, inclusivity, solidarity and human dignity,” adding that Ethiopia and Malaysia together “form a bridge between Asia and Africa.”

He highlighted industrialisation and investment as central to the new cooperation framework, noting Ethiopia’s interest in drawing from Malaysia’s industrial experience. “Ethiopia seeks to attract investment in our industrial parks, agro-processing and electronic sectors,” Abiy said, describing the talks as “productive” and “forward-looking.”

Digital transformation also emerged as a key pillar. Premier Abiy said the two countries would work together in digital finance, financial inclusion and data-driven innovation under Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy. He also underscored Ethiopia’s skilled youth base, stressing the need for Malaysian experience to help link skills with industry needs.

Climate cooperation featured prominently, with PM Abiy calling Malaysia a critical partner as Ethiopia prepares to host COP32. “We will deliver the best COP in Africa, but for this we need partners like Malaysia,” he said, pointing to opportunities in renewable energy, bioenergy, carbon markets and AI-enabled green growth.

He also highlighted Ethiopia’s recent investments in tourism destinations and reaffirmed that both countries would formalise cooperation through a joint framework, including the reopening of Malaysia’s embassy in Addis Ababa.

For his part, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised Ethiopia’s leadership and reform trajectory, describing PM Abiy as “a man of vision” who has overseen “phenomenal progress” in governance, economic reforms and anti-corruption efforts. Anwar said Malaysia viewed Ethiopia as a strategic gateway for engaging African markets and emphasised the need for both nations to expand trade, investment and technology collaboration.

He said Malaysia was ready to intensify cooperation in energy transition, AI, data centres, semiconductors, research and cultural exchanges. “We have our strength and you have your strength. I think this collaboration is important,” Anwar said.

Anwar also thanked Ethiopia for its strong support for Malaysia’s membership bid to BRICS, noting the importance of working together through international platforms including the G20.

He welcomed the expansion of air connectivity through Ethiopian Airlines’ Kuala Lumpur route and affirmed Malaysia’s commitment to making the partnership a showcase of “true friendship” built on trust and shared development goals.

Reflecting on Ethiopia’s historic role, Anwar highlighted the centuries-old ties between Abyssinia and the Malay world, citing Ethiopia’s protection of early Muslim migrants as a symbol of religious coexistence that remains relevant for global peace today.

“Let me assure you,” Anwar concluded, “Malaysia will do whatever is necessary to ensure that relations between Malaysia and Ethiopia are showcased as an example of what two trusted partners can build for their people.”