Finland Expresses Keenness to Strengthen Partnership with Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, October 3, 2025 (ENA) -- Finland has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Ethiopia, with a particular focus on advancing the circular economy.

Ethiopia has already launched a National Circular Economy Roadmap, designed to unlock the country’s full potential in this area by creating an enabling environment.

The roadmap promotes a sustainable model of production and consumption that emphasizes sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling materials and products for as long as possible.

Finland’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Sinikka Antila, told ENA that Finland has been working in close partnership with Ethiopia’s relevant institutions from the outset.

“We are also supporting Ethiopia’s efforts within Africa-wide initiatives, through the African Development Bank and in collaboration with the European Union,” the ambassador added. 

Ambassador Antila stressed that Finland is eager not only to share its experiences but also to encourage business partnerships with Ethiopian enterprises.

“There is huge potential here, whether with small businesses or startups, and we are willing to link them to different partnerships,” she stated.

She underscored that circular economy initiatives can play a transformative role in job creation. “With Ethiopia’s young population and the government’s attention to this sector, the circular economy can open opportunities for innovative new jobs,” Antila emphasized.

Drawing from Finland’s own experience, she explained, “In Finland, we recycle extensively, but it is not only about recycling; it is about developing entire industries. What may be considered waste in one sector can become raw material for another. If industries, academia, schools, and government institutions work together in Ethiopia, the country can also create new types of industries.”

The ambassador further highlighted the environmental benefits of such efforts, noting that strengthening the circular economy could help protect Ethiopia’s rivers from pollution while driving economic growth.

She also pointed to Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, which aims to plant billions of trees, as a strong complement to circular economy efforts.

“Combining large-scale tree planting with circular economy practices will make a significant contribution to keeping Ethiopia’s environment clean and beautiful,” she added.