ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia and Italy have reaffirmed their strategic partnership, signing a series of new agreements aimed at boosting investment, development cooperation, and diplomatic ties, following Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s (PhD) successful working visit to Italy.
Finance Minister Ahmed Shide described the visit as highly productive, marking a significant step forward in Ethiopia’s diplomatic and economic engagement with Europe.
During the visit, Prime Minister Abiy held high-level talks with both Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. His meeting with Pope Leo XIV focused on enhancing cooperation in education, global peace, and multilateral dialogue, with the Vatican reaffirming its commitment to support Ethiopia’s education sector.
In a separate meeting, Prime Minister Abiy and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni discussed key areas of bilateral interest. According to Minister Ahmed, the discussions reinforced Italy’s continued backing of Ethiopia’s economic reform agenda, energy sector development, and broader growth initiatives. “The relationship between Ethiopia and Italy is entering a new phase of mutually beneficial cooperation,” said Ahmed, noting the steady increase in Italian development assistance in recent years. The two countries signed agreements covering crucial areas including green development, urban infrastructure, and macroeconomic reform.
Investment promotion also featured prominently in the visit. The Ethiopian side presented the country’s favorable investment climate, encouraging greater Italian participation across strategic sectors.
Both governments committed to strengthening economic cooperation, particularly in energy, infrastructure, and finance.
Further underscoring the economic focus of the visit, the Ethiopian delegation held a dedicated meeting with Webuild Group CEO Pietro Salini. Prime Minister Abiy invited the Italian construction giant to expand its investment footprint in Ethiopia, especially in housing, energy, mining, and fertilizer production. CEO Salini expressed enthusiasm for scaling up Webuild’s presence, pledging to align future projects with Ethiopia’s national development priorities.
The visit marks a renewed momentum in Ethiopia’s diplomatic strategy—leveraging high-level international engagement to secure investment, foster partnerships, and strengthen its global standing.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 29 MAY 2025
