Türkiye’s mediation to revitalize Ethiopia–Somalia trade

Last week, the Türkiye–Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF) was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade, in coordination with the African Union and organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK), with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, President of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce Sebsib Abafira Abajobir drew attention to the peace talks between Ethiopia and Somalia held last December under Türkiye’s mediation, and emphasized Türkiye’s role in fostering peace and stability in Africa.

Abajobir stated, “President Erdoğan played the best possible role in bringing the two nations together to establish peace and security. Such positive developments will also strengthen economic and trade relations in the future, because trade and investment require an environment of peace and security.”

“(In Africa) Focus Should Be on Trade Rather Than Aid”

Sebsib Abafira Abajobir stated that for Africa’s development, developed countries should support the continent’s growth through trade rather than making it dependent on aid.

Abajobir emphasized, “In the past, experts coming from developed countries to Africa focused more on aid than on trade. The world, especially developing nations, should focus on trade rather than aid.”

In this context, Abajobir stated that he found President Erdoğan’s emphasis on enhancing cooperation and solidarity during the forum’s closing speech very significant, adding:

“This is truly very important for all developing countries, especially Ethiopia. Such cooperation will enable mutual learning, experience sharing, and technology transfer. Therefore, cooperation is indeed essential. Strengthening collaboration between developed and developing countries, as well as among developing nations themselves, carries great importance. As the President (President Erdoğan) stated, cooperation is very important.”

Türkiye–Ethiopia Relations

Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce President Abajobir stated that relations between the governments of Türkiye and Ethiopia have long been strong.

Highlighting that Ethiopia has entered a reform era as part of its development drive, Abajobir stated, “The reformist government attaches particular importance to the economy and is implementing macroeconomic and financial reforms as well as structural and sectoral reforms through a localized economic program.”

Abajobir noted that Ethiopia has launched the African Continental Free Trade Area program and has been taking steps toward membership in the World Trade Organization, emphasizing that these initiatives have created a favorable climate for private-sector investment.

Inviting Turkish investors and businesspeople to Ethiopia, Abajobir stated, “Of course, this favorable environment attracts Turkish investors, particularly to the textile sector. In addition, we are open to and supportive of investment in sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism, information and communication technologies, and digitalization.”