Ethiopia and Italy have had longstanding economic, political, and diplomatic relations. Italy has been one of Ethiopia’s key trading partners and investors. The economic ties between the two countries have primarily focused on sectors such as energy, manufacturing, infrastructure development, agriculture, and tourism. Italian companies have been involved in various projects in Ethiopia, including the construction of roads, renewable energy plants, and manufacturing facilities.
On the political front, Ethiopia and Italy have maintained diplomatic relations and engaged in bilateral dialogues. Both countries have expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in various areas, including trade, investment, cultural exchanges, and security. Italy has provided development assistance to Ethiopia in areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education. The two nations have also collaborated on issues of mutual interest, including regional peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
Historians wrote that modern Italian colonial adventures into Ethiopia began in the 1880s. This was eventually followed by the Italo-Ethiopian war of 1887-1889 in which Italy occupied the northern territory of Ethiopia in present-day Eritrea and Somalia. Years later, the disputed Treaty of Wuchale led to the first Italo-Ethiopian war between 1894 and 1896. The treaty was signed in 1889 at Wuchale, Ethiopia, by the Italians and Menilik II of Ethiopia. Italy occupied the northern Ethiopian territories by sheer force.
Article XVII of the Treaty of Wuchale stated that the emperor of Ethiopia “could” have recourse to the good offices of the Italian government in his dealings with other foreign powers; but the Italian text of the treaty had the word “must.” Based on their own text, the Italians proclaimed a protectorate over Ethiopia. Menilik II repudiated their claim, and he officially denounced the entire treaty. An attempt by the Italians to impose a protectorate over Ethiopia by force was finally confounded by their defeat at the Battle of Adwa in 1896.
According to historians, Italy eventually lost its colonies in East Africa region, Following years of local resistance and the intervention of British troops, the scattered Italian forces continued to fight in a guerrilla war, until the final surrender in 1943. After the 1947 Peace Treaty, Italy recognized the independence and sovereignty of Ethiopia. However, Ethiopia and Italy re-established diplomatic relations in 1951 only after lengthy negotiations. The arduousness of the process of normalization of relations between the two countries took time due to misunderstanding. Italy was apprehensive and uneasy to reassert its influence. But, it did not want to make economic and political concessions. The Ethiopian government, remembering Italian aggression, demanded that the period of coccupation be formally closed.
The two countries have a historical relationship that dates back to the late 19th century. Economic relations between Ethiopia and Italy have been significant. Italy is one of Ethiopia’s major trading partners within the European Union. Trade between the two countries primarily involves machinery, vehicles, textiles, chemicals, and agricultural products. Italian companies have invested in various sectors in Ethiopia, including manufacturing, construction, energy, and infrastructure development.
Italy has also provided development assistance to Ethiopia. This assistance has focused on areas such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects. Italy has supported initiatives aimed at improving food security, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing access to education and healthcare services in Ethiopia.
On the political and diplomatic front, Ethiopia and Italy have maintained regular exchanges and cooperation. Both countries have engaged in bilateral dialogues and high-level visits to strengthen their relations. They have also collaborated on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Italy has expressed its support for Ethiopia’s efforts in promoting peace, stability, and development in the Horn of Africa region.
Cultural exchanges between Ethiopia and Italy have also been significant. The historical ties between the two countries have fostered cultural connections, with exchanges in the fields of art, music, literature, and archaeology. Italy has been involved in the preservation and restoration of historical sites in Ethiopia, such as the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
It’s important to note that the nature of the relationship between Ethiopia and Italy can be subject to change over time due to various political, economic, and social factors. For the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on the current state of the relationship between Ethiopia and Italy, I recommend consulting official government sources, diplomatic channels, and reputable news outlets that cover bilateral relations between the two countries.
Currently, the Italian investors and firms are very much involved in the economic development of Ethiopia. The Italian firm Salini Construction, for example, was chosen by the Ethiopian government to design and build the Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile River, which when completed will be the largest dam and hydroelectric plant in Africa. As the Italian engineers had helped to build the first railway from Addis to Djibouti in the past, the Ethiopian government has contracted them again to expand the railroad network along with India and China. Although it is endowed with rich deposits of platinum, gold, iron, copper, zinc and lead, Ethiopia is still one of the poorest countries in Africa. It has huge resource of water and the current efforts of the government are focused on its optimal use. The industrial sector is characterized by mainly by small-scale handicrafts.
The major factories of Ethiopia are located in the food, textile, leather, cement and pharmaceutical sectors. These are located in the major urban centers where there are appropriate infrastructures. There is also a steel mill that produces to meet the basic domestic needs. Communications sector is being developed and expanded. However, serious difficulties emanate from the lack of access to the sea, for which the Ethiopians are bound to depend on the port of Djibouti and on Eritrean and Somali ports. The trade balance indicated that exports are far lower in value than imports. The main trade partners are the EU countries, Japan, US and the Arab states. In the two decades, Italy has continued to be among the top five trading partners with Ethiopia and a major investor in the Ethiopian economy. Italy is one of the major actors in the area of politics, security and economic cooperation. This cooperation has been strengthened the visits of the leaders of Italy in 2015/16. Ethiopia has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Italian initiatives in Africa.
These days, Italy ranks among Ethiopia’s top trade partners. It ranks eighth supplier at global level, first at European level in the first months of 2018. Many Italian firms are involved in the current modernization of Ethiopia. Regarding Italian export, Ethiopia ranks fourth as a destination market in Sub-Saharan Africa. Italy and Ethiopia also focused on cooperation in other sectors. They agreed on exchange of visits and experience; reciprocal participation in courses, conferences, studies, apprenticeships, training as well as education and promotion of knowledge and skills. They also focused on commercial initiatives and other areas of common interest to both countries. All these are indicators of the positive and friendly relationships between Italy and Ethiopia.
In summary, while the relationship between Ethiopia and Italy has experienced troubled times in the past, it has gradually transformed into a more positive and mutually beneficial partnership. Today, the two countries collaborate in various areas, including trade, investment, and cultural exchanges, contributing to their overall relationship and promoting cooperation between their respective peoples.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald BY GETACHEW MINAS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2023
