Ethiopia and France: A Long-standing Historical Partnership

The 127-Year Partnership 

In 2022, France and Ethiopia marked the 125th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, originating from the signing of a friendship treaty on March 20, 1897. The year-long celebration, spanning from March 2022 to February 2023, featured a range of events designed to showcase the collaboration between the two nations across various sectors. One notable occasion was the investment forum held in Addis Ababa, aimed at enhancing trade relations between Ethiopia and France, with participation from companies from both countries. This milestone not only celebrated the longevity of their ties but also served as a moment for both nations to reaffirm their dedication to elevating their relationship further.

 

Strengthening Ties through Leadership Exchanges 

In recent years, the cooperation between Ethiopia and France has been bolstered by reciprocal visits and bilateral discussions.

Notably, during Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's working visit to Europe in 2018, France was among his key destinations.

During this visit, he engaged in discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding collaborative efforts between the two nations. They reached agreements to cooperate on various shared interests in international forums, including combating terrorism, addressing climate change, and fostering development cooperation in East Africa through IGAD, thereby uniting their efforts on the global stage.

Five months following Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's visit to France, President Emmanuel Macron undertook a two-day official trip to Ethiopia. During this visit, the two nations formalized agreements that facilitate collaboration across various sectors. One of the agreements establishes a framework for France to offer professional and financial assistance for the preservation of the Rock-Hewn Churches in Lalibela. Macron also took the opportunity to visit these historic churches. Additionally, agreements were reached in the areas of investment and defense. The reciprocal visits of the two leaders have significantly contributed to enhancing the partnership between Ethiopia and France.

 

In February 2023, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed traveled to France for a working visit after a four-year interval. During this meeting, he and President Macron discussed strategies to bolster trade and investment ties between their countries.

Numerous French companies, both domestic and international, have invested in various sectors within Ethiopia, generating employment opportunities for thousands of Ethiopians.

Ethiopia exports agricultural products, particularly coffee, to France, while France primarily supplies transportation materials and medical equipment to Ethiopia. The economic relationship between the two nations continues to strengthen. Furthermore, French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot’s  visit to Ethiopia recently was aimed at reinforcing the robust ties between the two countries.

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs engaged in discussions with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed regarding the enhancement of bilateral relations between their respective nations.

Barot also addressed various bilateral, regional, and international matters with Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timotheos.

During his visit, French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barot, toured the National Museum of Ethiopia and the Lycée Guebre-Mariam School, established by the French government in Addis Ababa.

Additionally, he handed over ancient stone tools, retrieved from the Melka Kuntre archaeological site of Ethiopia for research purposes in France, to the Minister of Tourism, Selamawit Kassa.

 

The visit also saw the announcement of a heritage protection project for Ethiopia, which will receive support from the French Government. This initiative is part of a broader agreement made in 2019 between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and French President Emmanuel Macron concerning the restoration of the Lalibela Church and the National Museum.

Furthermore, during the Minister's visit, the Ministry of Education formalized an agreement with France aimed at enhancing collaboration in the educational sector.

This agreement will facilitate various free educational opportunities for Ethiopia and bolster scholarship programs at Lycée Guebre-Mariam School.  Barot also took part in a high-level strategic dialogue forum between the African Union and France, held in Addis Ababa, the headquarters of the African Union.

Aviation: A Shared Area of Collaboration between the Two Nations

The collaboration between Ethiopia and France in the aviation sector has been steadily advancing over the years. Approximately eight years ago, the two nations formalized their partnership by signing an agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation in civil aviation, air transport, and infrastructure development. Among the key provisions of this agreement was the increase in Ethiopian Airlines' weekly flights to France, with the potential for additional services in the future. Recently, Ethiopian Airlines proudly took delivery of Africa's inaugural A350-1000 aircraft, further solidifying its reputation for pioneering achievements in the continent's aviation industry. Ethiopia's milestone of being the first country to receive the Airbus A350-1000 underscores the successful collaboration between the two nations in the aviation domain.

The enduring friendship between Ethiopia and France, which has flourished for over 125 years, reflects a strong commitment to deepening their relationship into a strategic partnership.

On Ethiopia's part, there is a keen interest in enhancing the involvement of French companies across various investment sectors, fostering growth in trade and investment cooperation. Additionally, Ethiopia seeks to strengthen bilateral and multilateral ties on issues of shared interest.

France has also expressed its willingness to support Ethiopia's endeavors towards achieving lasting peace and stability, including backing the national dialogue process and the implementation of transitional justice initiatives.