India Mirrors Africa in Scale, Diversity and Aspiration, Says Ethiopia's Minister Ergogie Tesfaye

Addis Ababa, February 10, 2026 (ENA)—Ethiopia’s Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Ergogie Tesfaye, has described India as a natural and reliable partner for Africa, saying the two regions mirror each other in scale, diversity and aspiration.

Speaking at the launch of the report “Africa-India Blueprint for Growth” at the Indian Embassy in Addis Ababa on Tuesday evening, Ergogie emphasized that Africa’s partnership with India stands out for its relevance and shared development journey.

“India mirrors Africa in scale, diversity and aspiration,” the minister said, noting that India’s experience offers valuable lessons for Africa’s growth trajectory.

The report, co-produced by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Center for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), highlights a shift from traditional diplomacy toward data-driven and solution-oriented cooperation between Africa and India.

Ergogie pointed out that despite limited natural resources, India has leveraged innovation and sustainability to achieve remarkable progress, including lifting about 450 million people out of poverty and building advanced digital infrastructure.

She noted that India’s approach to cooperation, focused on tailored, collaborative solutions rather than one-size-fits-all models—aligns closely with the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

As Addis Ababa prepares to host key meetings ahead of the African Union Summit, the minister said the report provides a credible foundation for the next phase of Africa-India cooperation.

She praised AUDA-NEPAD and CSEP for producing a practical roadmap to guide future engagement.

Recalling Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Ethiopia in December, Ergogie said the visit reinforced a strategic partnership extending across the continent.

She stressed the importance of cooperation based on equality and shared success to address today’s global challenges.

“Through unity and cooperation, we can strengthen our resilience in an increasingly volatile world,” she said, citing an Ethiopian proverb: “When spider webs unite, they can tie a lion.”

The minister also highlighted Ethiopia’s geostrategic role as host of the African Union headquarters, noting its importance in facilitating partnerships in agriculture, digital innovation and space technology.

She outlined ongoing initiatives, including efforts to boost agricultural productivity through precision farming and the establishment of digital ID systems to improve service delivery, expressing optimism about technology’s role in driving economic growth and food security.

Ergogie concluded by calling for collective action to translate the report’s recommendations into tangible outcomes, saying Africa and India can forge a prosperous future rooted in equality and shared ambition.

Speaking at the event, Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia as well as Permanent Representative to the African Union, Anil Kumar Rai, said mutual aspirations and pragmatism define Africa-India relations.

He highlighted India’s growing diplomatic engagement in Africa, noting that 18 of the 24 new Indian missions opened since 2018 are located on the continent, underscoring India’s commitment, particularly in the Horn of Africa.

The ambassador said India ranks as Africa’s third-largest investor when the continent is considered as a whole and emphasized the innovative role of the Indian diaspora.

He reaffirmed India’s commitment to capacity building and investment in priority sectors identified by African countries, including steel production, cement manufacturing and road infrastructure, to support sustainable development.

Ambassador Rai said the Africa-India Blueprint for Growth provides a strong platform for deepening engagement and advancing shared development goals between Africa and India.