Addis Ababa, April 1, 2025 (FBC) – Canada’s relationship with Ethiopia has been growing significantly, with increasing diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people ties, Canada’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Joshua Tabah said.
Ambassador Tabah stated that the relationship is mature, robust, and expanding and has been built on strong people-to-people connections since diplomatic ties were first established in 1965.
There are now over 50,000 Ethiopians living in Canada and around 5,000 Canadians in Ethiopia, further strengthening bilateral relations.
A major sign of the growing relationship is the increase in direct flights between Addis Ababa and Toronto, with flights now operating daily, which facilitates easier connections between the two countries.
“Bilateral relationship between Canada and Ethiopia is mature, robust and expanding. We first established diplomatic relations in 1965 and we’ve been building on that relationship every year since, it is a multifaceted relationship.”
In terms of economic cooperation, Ambassador Tabah highlighted that Canada’s annual development support to Ethiopia exceeds 200 million USD and focuses on areas such as gender equality, agricultural productivity, and humanitarian aid.
He also noted significant investments, including those by Allied Gold, a Canadian company engaged in a major gold exploration project in the Benishangul-Gumuz region.
Furthermore, Canada’s relationship with Ethiopian Airlines is growing, with Canada supplying aircrafts, flight simulators, and even ice wine for the airline’s flights.
Ethiopia’s exports such as coffee, handicrafts, and garments are also increasingly reaching the Canadian market.
Ambassador Tabah emphasized the importance of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia, which will play a crucial role in advancing trade between the two countries.
“Our development cooperation in Ethiopia is our largest bilateral development program, with around 200 million USD invested in support of Ethiopian priorities regarding gender equality, access to livelihoods, agricultural productivity, economic empowerment, and also humanitarian assistance.
On the issue of food security and sustainable development, Canada has been actively involved in Ethiopia’s efforts to increase agricultural production and promote gender equality in agriculture.
Ambassador Tabah mentioned that Canada is committed to supporting Ethiopia’s humanitarian needs, particularly in times of conflict or natural disasters.
Looking beyond Ethiopia, Ambassador Tabah who is also accredited to Djibouti and Sudan spoke about Canada’s growing engagement with Africa as a whole, noting that Africa has been more important for Canada’s foreign policy, trade, and development goals.
Canada has released its first strategy for engagement in Africa, which emphasizes a peer-to-peer relationship with individual African countries and institutions such as the African Union.
In addition, Canada has been supporting peace and security initiatives in Africa, particularly through the African Union Commission, and is making significant investments in technology and climate solutions in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.
Ambassador Tabah also highlighted Canada’s support for Ethiopia’s Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reintegration (DDR) process, particularly in the Tigray region.
He told local newswire service ENA that peace is essential for economic prosperity, and that DDR efforts are key to promoting stability and social cohesion.
Canada continues to support Ethiopia in its efforts to host over one million refugees from the Horn of Africa, providing both financial aid through to organizations like the World Food Program and UNHCR, and resettlement opportunities for refugees needing protection.
Through these efforts, Canada aims to build a stronger, more dynamic partnership with Ethiopia and Africa, supporting the continent’s development and stability while advancing trade, peace, and sustainable development goals.