Ethiopia, Zimbabwe strengthen bilateral cooperation in economic dev’t

Addis Ababa, March 19, 2025 (FMC) – The Minister of Finance of Ethiopia, H.E. Ato Ahmed Shide, held a high-level meeting with the Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion of Zimbabwe, Professor M. Ncube, to explore areas of mutual interest and collaboration.

The meeting provided a platform for both nations to exchange insights on key policies and reforms, with Zimbabwe expressing a keen interest in learning from Ethiopia’s successful economic strategies.

During the discussions, Professor M. Ncube emphasized Zimbabwe’s interest in Ethiopia’s approaches to tax policy, social protection programs, and value chain development, particularly in the leather and agro-processing industries.

Additionally, Zimbabwe sought to gain insights into Ethiopia’s experiences in managing Sovereign Wealth Funds and Health Insurance Funds. Integrated urban renewal was also identified as a key area of interest, with Zimbabwe looking to learn from Addis Ababa’s rapid transformation.

Mr. Ahmed Shide welcomed Zimbabwe’s interest and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation by facilitating knowledge exchange and sharing best practices.

He also noted that Ethiopia could benefit from Zimbabwe’s expertise, particularly in the tourism sector. Both ministers emphasized the importance of leveraging each country’s experiences to enhance economic resilience and drive sustainable development.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish technical working groups to facilitate ongoing knowledge-sharing and collaboration in these critical areas. Furthermore, both parties agreed to organize an inaugural experience-sharing visit by a Zimbabwean delegation to Ethiopia in May 2025.

The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to fostering stronger economic ties and promoting mutual learning opportunities to support inclusive growth and prosperity in both nations.