On 27 February, the company’s Managing Director Qiu Zhaojun led a delegation to visit the Embassy of Ethiopia in the United Kingdom, where they held a formal meeting with Biruk Mekonnen, Ambassador of Ethiopia to the United Kingdom.
During the meeting, the two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on cooperation opportunities between Chinese enterprises’ UK branches and Ethiopia, as well as Ethiopia’s industrial strengths and future development priorities.
Strengthening Engagement: Focus on Ethiopia’s Industrial Advantages and Development Plans
Ambassador Biruk Mekonnen warmly welcomed the delegation and provided a comprehensive overview of Ethiopia’s current investment climate and key development sectors. He noted that Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa with a population of approximately 130 million, benefits from a large demographic dividend and a rapidly growing young workforce. This makes it one of the continent’s most dynamic markets in terms of both consumption potential and production capacity.
The Ambassador emphasized that the Ethiopian government is vigorously advancing its industrialisation agenda.
“Ethiopia is not only a gateway to East Africa but also an emerging hub for manufacturing on the continent. We welcome international investors to take advantage of Ethiopia’s production capabilities and jointly explore markets across Africa, as well as Europe and North America.”
Ambassador Mekonnen also highlighted Ethiopia’s strategic transition in the new energy sector. With the gradual implementation of policies restricting the use of internal combustion vehicles, the country is accelerating its shift toward electric mobility, creating significant opportunities for cooperation in electric vehicle assembly, charging infrastructure, and battery production.
Integrating Resources: Leveraging the Company’s UK-Based Advantages
Qiu Zhaojun expressed his appreciation for the Ambassador’s detailed introduction and shared insights into the company’s business operations and strategic direction. As an organisation deeply engaged in China–UK economic and trade exchanges, the company has been closely monitoring investment trends in emerging African markets. Against the backdrop of Ethiopia’s accelerating industrialisation, the company sees numerous opportunities for Chinese and British enterprises to participate collaboratively.
“Ethiopia has not only become an important destination for Chinese investment, but it is also attracting increasing attention from international capital,” Qiu noted.
He added that the company will actively leverage its established government and business networks in the UK, together with its professional service platform, to build bridges connecting Chinese enterprises’ UK branches and British companies with opportunities in the Ethiopian market.
Qiu further pointed out that China and the UK possess complementary strengths in sectors such as green infrastructure, the digital economy, and advanced manufacturing. By aligning these capabilities with Ethiopia’s development needs, a trilateral cooperation model—“China–UK collaboration with implementation in Ethiopia”—could deliver mutually beneficial outcomes for all parties.
He also emphasized that the company will continue monitoring Ethiopia’s policy developments and support enterprises in mitigating cross-border investment risks, while facilitating practical cooperation in areas such as industrial park operations, the electric vehicle supply chain, and vocational and technical training.
Looking Ahead: Broad Prospects for Trilateral Cooperation
China–Africa cooperation continues to deepen, and the year 2026—designated as the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges—is expected to inject fresh momentum into economic and cultural engagement between the two sides.
As a key economic power in Africa, Ethiopia has maintained strong economic ties with China for many years, with China consistently ranking among the country’s largest sources of foreign investment.
This visit not only enhanced the company’s understanding of Ethiopia’s investment environment but also laid a solid foundation for future cooperation by leveraging the UK as a platform to integrate resources from China, the UK, and Ethiopia.
Looking ahead, the company will continue to serve as an information hub and professional service platform, helping more enterprises seize emerging opportunities in Ethiopia’s rapidly evolving market.