Ethiopia invites Pakistani businesses to tap Africa’s expanding market

KARACHI: Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Dr Jemal Beker Abdula has emphasised the need to further strengthen trade and investment ties between Ethiopia and Pakistan, inviting Karachi’s business community to use Ethiopia as a gateway to the vast African market of 1.5 billion people.

Businesses operating in Ethiopia also enjoy duty-free and quota-free access to the European Union (EU) and the US, offering an additional lucrative opportunity for foreign investors.

Speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Monday, the Ethiopian ambassador invited KCCI members to participate in ‘Invest in Ethiopia 2025’, scheduled for May 12-13, followed by Pakistan’s Single Country Exhibition from May 15-17. Ethiopian Airlines will offer a 12 per cent discount to visitors attending these events, while affordable hotel accommodations will also be available, he added.

Highlighting the importance of the upcoming events, Dr Abdula said the ‘Invest in Ethiopia’ conference would attract investors, policymakers and supply chain stakeholders from across the globe, providing an ideal platform for partnerships, connectivity and networking. He noted that a large number of participants had already confirmed their attendance at the Single Country Exhibition, which will showcase a wide range of Pakistani products to Ethiopian and broader African markets.

The ambassador mentioned that Ethiopia had become one of Africa’s leading tourist destinations. Post-Covid, Ethiopia recorded a 40 per cent increase in tourist arrivals, thanks to its peaceful environment and rich historical attractions.

Dr Abdula pointed out that Ethiopia and Pakistan have enjoyed nearly 70 years of diplomatic relations. “We highly appreciate the Pakistan government’s ‘Look Africa and Engage Africa’ policy, encouraging businesses to enter and operate in Africa -- which can be done through Ethiopia, the true gateway to Africa.”

He further explained that Ethiopia is no longer a landlocked nation but a land-linked country, with 95 per cent of its imports and exports channelled through the Djibouti rail network, requiring just six hours of transit. Ethiopia also boasts seven dry ports, ensuring efficient logistics without bottlenecks. It is among the world’s fastest-growing economies, having recorded 8.2 per cent GDP growth last year. With a current GDP of $400 billion, Ethiopia is the largest economy in East Africa and is projected to grow by 8.4 per cent this year.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairperson of BMG Zubair Motiwala expressed optimism that the ambassador’s visit would open new avenues for economic cooperation between Pakistan and Ethiopia. He noted with concern that Pakistan currently faces a significant trade deficit with Ethiopia, as Ethiopia exports considerably more to Pakistan, including large volumes of soybeans, while Pakistan’s exports to Ethiopia stand at a modest $4.5 million, far below Pakistan’s export potential.