Ethiopia signs a €4.5 million grant agreement with Italy

Addis Ababa, January 27, 2025 (FMC) — Mr. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, welcomed Anna Maria Bernini, Minister of Universities and Research of Italy, during her official visit to Ethiopia.

During the meeting at his office, Mr. Ahmed Shide expressed gratitude for Italy’s enduring support and highlighted the strong historical and economic ties between the two nations.

Minister Ahmed emphasized that the Framework Agreement between Ethiopia and Italy aligns seamlessly with Ethiopia’s long-term development goals in agriculture, industry, health, education, and private sector development.

Anna Maria Bernini reciprocated the warm welcome and conveyed her interest in future collaborations with Ethiopia. She expressed her commitment to supporting joint initiatives and fostering stronger bilateral relations.

As part of this collaboration, Ethiopia and Italy signed an Implementing Agreement to strengthen digital services in Ethiopia through the establishment of an incubation center for high-technology innovation enterprises.

Under the agreement, the Republic of Italy will provide a grant of €4.5 million (approximately 585 million Ethiopian Birr).

This initiative aims to:

Establish an electronic service and start-up incubation center.

Create a “FAB Lab” (Fabrication Laboratory) equipped with advanced manufacturing and prototyping tools.

Develop a training facility and a high-tech Talent Development Hub.

The project is designed to align with Ethiopia’s national development goals and job creation strategies. It aims to enhance service delivery, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and promote job creation in key sectors through cutting-edge technologies and digital infrastructures.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of Ethiopia, and Anna Maria Bernini, Minister of Universities and Research of Italy. They were joined by Ambassador Agostino Palese, the Italian Ambassador to Ethiopia.