Dubai Chambers push Dubai-Ethiopia trade forward in Addis Ababa meetings
Dubai Chambers held talks in Addis Ababa with Ethiopia’s Industry Ministry, Investment Commission and sovereign holding to boost Dubai-Ethiopia trade and joint investment.
Dubai Chambers led a delegation to Addis Ababa this week to pursue deeper Dubai-Ethiopia trade and investment ties, meeting senior Ethiopian officials and investment bodies to identify concrete collaboration opportunities. Mohammed Ali Rashid Lootah, director general of Dubai Chambers, led the talks that focused on industrial cooperation, investment facilitation and long-term partnerships. The delegation held bilateral meetings with the Ethiopian Ministry of Industry, the Ethiopian Investment Commission and the country’s sovereign investment holding to map out avenues for private-sector engagement.
Dubai delegation meets Ethiopia’s industry leadership
The Dubai delegation held a formal meeting with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Industry in the presence of Minister Melaku Alebel to discuss enhancing industrial cooperation between the two jurisdictions. Delegates emphasized the potential for joint ventures, technology transfers and industrial park linkages that could create jobs and expand manufacturing output. Both sides discussed regulatory facilitation and mechanisms to support public‑private partnerships that would lower entry barriers for investors.
Officials described the talks as practical and solution‑oriented, with an emphasis on aligning sector priorities such as agro-processing, textiles, construction materials and light manufacturing. The meeting explored how Dubai’s logistics ecosystem and trade infrastructure could complement Ethiopia’s manufacturing ambitions and export diversification plans.
Engagement with the Ethiopian Investment Commission on FDI facilitation
Dubai Chambers met senior representatives from the Ethiopian Investment Commission to review incentives and processes for foreign direct investment into priority sectors. The session, attended by a deputy commissioner, focused on streamlining investment approvals, improving investor services and identifying sectoral windows for immediate FDI. Both parties discussed establishing a joint investor forum to expedite project matchmaking and resolve practical hurdles for UAE and Dubai-based firms.
Participants highlighted Ethiopia’s growing market and strategic position in the Horn of Africa as attractive to Dubai investors seeking to expand into East Africa. The discussion also considered capacity‑building initiatives to equip Ethiopian agencies with tools to manage larger flows of foreign investment.
Discussions with the sovereign holding on long‑term partnerships
The Dubai delegation held talks with Ethiopian Investment Holdings, the state’s sovereign investment vehicle, to explore strategic partnership models and co‑investment opportunities. The meeting addressed how Dubai firms and funds could participate in managed privatization, asset redevelopment and commercial ventures overseen by the holding company. Executives discussed establishing joint funds or project vehicles to de‑risk early stages of investment and attract institutional capital from the Gulf.
Officials from both sides flagged infrastructure, logistics, hospitality and industrial zones as priority areas where long‑term capital and expertise from Dubai could accelerate Ethiopia’s transformation. The session also considered governance and transparency measures to ensure investor confidence in public‑private undertakings.
Opportunities identified for Dubai private sector and SMEs
Throughout the mission, Dubai Chambers highlighted practical business cases for small and medium enterprises alongside larger corporate investment. Delegates identified niches where Dubai SMEs could supply inputs, technical services and logistics solutions to Ethiopian industrial projects. The talks underlined opportunities for Dubai logistics firms to provide trade and supply‑chain services that would link Ethiopian manufacturers to Gulf and global markets.
Chambers representatives stressed the role of trade facilitation — including improved customs coordination and freight connectivity — to lower costs and enhance competitiveness for exporters on both sides. They also proposed targeted business delegations and sectoral roadshows to follow up on leads and convert discussions into commercial agreements.
Next steps: roadmaps, working groups and practical incentives
Both parties agreed on a follow‑up roadmap that envisages technical working groups, a joint investor forum and sectoral taskforces to translate the high‑level discussions into actionable projects. Dubai Chambers committed to facilitating private‑sector matchmaking events and to sharing best practice on free‑zone operations, logistics hubs and financial structuring. Ethiopian agencies signalled readiness to review incentive packages, fast‑track approvals for pilot projects and coordinate with regional authorities to scale successful models.
Stakeholders emphasized the importance of measurable milestones — including signed memoranda of understanding, pilot joint ventures and timelines for investment flows — to sustain momentum from the Addis Ababa meetings.
The delegation’s engagements in Addis Ababa reflect growing mutual interest in stronger economic ties and a pragmatic approach to building Dubai-Ethiopia trade. Parties agreed to convene follow‑up meetings and to prioritise projects that can deliver jobs, export growth and deeper private sector collaboration in the months ahead.
