Türkiye’s Mediation Efforts Between Ethiopia and Somalia to Boost Trade Between the Two Nations

With the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkey-Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF) was held last week, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, coordinated by the African Union, and organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK). Anadolu Agency (AA) served as the forum’s Global Communication Partner.

Speaking to an AA correspondent during the forum, President of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce, Sebsib Abafira Abajobir, drew attention to the peace talks between Ethiopia and Somalia that took place in Ankara last December under Turkey’s mediation. He emphasized Turkey’s role in promoting 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 strengthen economic and trade relations in the future, as trade and investment environments require peace and stability.”

“Focus on Trade Rather Than Aid in Africa”

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

He said, “Experts coming from developed countries in the past focused more on aid than trade. The world, especially developing countries, should focus on trade rather than aid.”

Referring to President Erdoğan’s closing remarks at the forum, Abajobir emphasized the importance of increasing cooperation and solidarity:
“This is truly important, particularly for developing countries like Ethiopia. Such partnerships make learning from one another, experience sharing, and technology transfer possible. Therefore, cooperation is indeed vital. Strengthening collaboration between developed and developing countries, as well as among developing countries themselves, is of great importance. As the President said, cooperation is essential.”

Turkey–Ethiopia Relations

Abajobir stated that relations between the governments of Turkey and Ethiopia have long been strong and enduring.

Highlighting that Ethiopia has entered a reform era as part of its development drive, he said, “The reformist government attaches particular importance to the economy, pursuing an indigenized economic program and implementing macroeconomic, financial, structural, and sectoral reforms.”

He also mentioned Ethiopia’s launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) program and its bid for membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), both of which create a favorable investment climate for the private sector.

Inviting Turkish investors and businesspeople to Ethiopia, Abajobir said,
“Certainly, this favorable environment particularly attracts Turkish investors to the textile sector. We are also open to and supportive of investment in agriculture, mining, tourism, information and communication technologies, and digitalization.”