Русский
A senior delegation from Russia’s Federation Council, led by its chairperson Valentina Matviyenko, is on a three-day trip to Ethiopia where they have held talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. Among the Federation Council delegation is a high-ranking team that includes Maxim Reshetnikov, Russia’s Minister of Economic Development; Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health; representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Rosatom, and the Russian Academy of Sciences.
One of the primary objectives of the visit is to enhance collaboration between legislative bodies, streamline legal frameworks, and facilitate the ratification of intergovernmental agreements. The Russian delegation also aims to boost trade and economic ties, which have grown substantially.
Matviyenko stated that “Ethiopia is a key partner for Russia in Africa, and we share a long history of mutually beneficial relations. In 2024, trade turnover increased more than fourfold, with significant expansion in both exports and imports.”
That would put current Russia-Ethiopia bilateral trade at about US$400 million. Ethiopia exports mainly coffee and dried vegetable products to Russia, while Russia exports mainly wheat, and flour.
Rosatom, Russia’s nuclear power agency, is conducting a feasibility study to develop a NPP in Ethiopia. This will assess Ethiopia’s non-energy sector to identify how nuclear technology can address the country’s economic needs. This analysis will help compile a list of potential users of these technologies, laying the groundwork for a market for commercial products and services based on potential NPP capabilities.
In addition to the nuclear energy initiatives, Russian businesses have expressed keen interest in Ethiopia’s energy, pharmaceutical, and agricultural sectors. Matviyenko identified interregional cooperation as a promising area for development. This is important as Ethiopia is a full member of BRICS as well as one of the most powerful economic members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which also includes a further 20 African nations. COMESA has a population in excess of 640 million and a GDP over US$1 trillion.
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