{"id":5363,"date":"2026-10-19T09:28:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T09:28:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.amn.gov.et\/en\/?p=5363"},"modified":"2026-10-19T09:28:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T09:28:33","slug":"a-week-in-the-horn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.amn.gov.et\/en\/a-week-in-the-horn\/","title":{"rendered":"A WEEK IN THE HORN"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Announces Launch of Precious Metals Refinery<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Ethiopia and Nigeria Explore New Areas of Cooperation During Vice President Shettima\u2019s Visit<\/p>\n\n\n\n


India and Ethiopia Deepen Strategic Partnership During High Level Ministerial Visit<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Ethiopia\u00a0

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially inaugurated Ethiopia\u2019s first National Precious Metals Refinery on Saturday, (October 10), at the Bole Lemi Special Economic Zone in Addis Ababa. The plant is a turning point in how the country manages its mineral wealth: refining gold at home instead of shipping it abroad in raw form.

Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, led a high level Nigerian delegation to Ethiopia from October 7 to 9 for a three day working visit, accompanied by a high-level delegation participating in the Ethiopia-Nigeria Leadership Exchange. The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations and promote mutual learning and the exchange of experiences between the two countries, particularly in areas of shared interest, given their large population and diverse, multicultural society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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India\u2019s Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, concluded a high-level official visit to Ethiopia from October 8\u201310, aimed at building directly upon the enhanced Strategic Partnership established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s landmark visit in December 2025.

Prime Minister Abiy held a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Monday (October 13) to deliberate upon bilateral relations and key regional developments, reaffirming their commitment to cooperation on matters of mutual interest.
PM Abiy also had a telephone conversation with the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on key bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.\u00a0

The 19th Ethiopian National Flag Day was celebrated on Monday (October 13)\u00a0in a ceremony at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ethiopian missions overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Africa and the African Union\u00a0

On Wednesday (October 14), Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, led the African Union delegation to the 2026 IMF\u2013World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand. The delegation engaged with partners and stakeholders to advance Africa\u2019s priorities, including development financing, private capital mobilization, job creation, regional integration, and reform of the global financial architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ethiopia Opens Its First National Precious Metals Refinery, Keeping Gold\u2019s Value at Home

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially inaugurated Ethiopia\u2019s first National Precious Metals Refinery on Saturday, (October 10), at the Bole Lemi Special Economic Zone in Addis Ababa. The plant is a turning point in how the country manages its mineral wealth: refining gold at home instead of shipping it abroad in raw form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


At the inauguration, Prime Minister Abiy stated that the National Precious Metals Refinery can serve not only Ethiopia but also the broader East African and pan-African markets. By providing internationally credible refining and testing services, it enables neighboring countries and regional mining companies to bring their gold to Ethiopia for advanced refining, certification, value addition and sale, removing the need to export it outside the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


The refinery is a joint venture between the state-owned Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) and Sam Precious Metals, with an initial investment of $50 million. At full capacity, the plant is designed to process more than 600 tonnes of precious metals a year.\u00a0

The facility is equipped for the full chain of industrial processes: melting, testing, assaying, refining, casting, bar minting and die-making. It handles gold and silver across a range of purities. Its core functions are testing and certifying precious metals to international standards, refining raw gold into export-ready bullion, manufacturing cast and minted gold and silver bars, and supporting the domestic jewelry sector and regional mining firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


For decades, Ethiopia has sent much of its raw gold to foreign hubs for processing, leaving most of the value-added work and profit elsewhere. The government\u2019s answer is to refine at home. The government also expects a centralized, transparent value chain to curb smuggling and illicit trading, which have historically cost the country significant foreign exchange. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


On the occasion, the Prime Minister said the refinery has the potential, at full capability, to generate or process up to $80 billion in exports a year. For comparison, gold earned about $5.6 billion in 2025\/26. The government aims to move Ethiopia away from exporting raw, unrefined minerals and to position Ethiopia as a regional hub for mineral refining.

Ethiopia and Nigeria Explore New Areas of Cooperation During Vice President Shettima\u2019s Visit<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, led a high-level Nigerian delegation to Ethiopia from October 7 to 9 for a three-day working visit, during which the delegation participated in the Ethiopia\u2013Nigeria Leadership Exchange.\u00a0The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations and promote mutual learning and the exchange of experiences between the two countries, particularly in areas of shared interest, given their large population and diverse, multicultural society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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During his stay, Vice President Shettima held discussions with PM Abiy Ahmed, and Temesgen Tiruneh, Deputy Prime Minister, on ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. In his meeting with Prime Minister Abiy, the two leaders highlighted the opportunities for mutual learning and experience sharing between Ethiopia and Nigeria, given their large populations and diverse societies.

The discussions between Vice President Shettima and DPM\u00a0Temesgen\u00a0focused on food security, nutrition, investment and diplomatic relations. The Ethiopian side also highlighted the importance of Ethiopia\u2019s Seqota Declaration, welcomed Nigeria\u2019s interest in learning from its experience and encouraged greater Nigerian investment in Ethiopia.

A major focus of the visit was the Ethiopia-Nigeria Nutrition Leadership Exchange Forum, where Ethiopian officials shared the country\u2019s experience in implementing the Seqota Declaration, launched in 2015 with the goal of ending stunting among children under two by 2030. The discussions highlighted the importance of political leadership, coordination among different sectors, dedicated financing and accountability in addressing malnutrition. The exchange also provided an opportunity for Nigeria to share its plans under the Nutrition 774 Initiative and explore practical approaches to improving food and nutrition security.

As part of the program, the Nigerian delegation visited Mojjo, Koka, and Lume in Oromia Regional State to learn from Ethiopia\u2019s experience in agricultural modernization and rural development. The program included visits to wheat production clusters, banana and papaya farms, fish farming facilities and agricultural training centers. The delegation observed how Ethiopia is working to connect agricultural production with technology, irrigation, processing and markets to improve productivity, create jobs and increase farmers\u2019 incomes. Vice President Shettima commended Ethiopia\u2019s progress in wheat production and expressed Nigeria\u2019s interest in drawing lessons from its experience in mechanization, improved seeds and climate smart agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


The visit also highlighted opportunities to expand economic cooperation, particularly in trade and investment. The Ethiopian side recognized the contribution of Nigerian investor Aliko Dangote to Ethiopia\u2019s development and encouraged other Nigerian investors to explore opportunities in the country. Both sides also emphasized the importance of implementing existing agreements and institutionalizing experience sharing through regular study visits and technical exchanges.
The visit marked a useful step in strengthening Ethiopia-Nigeria relations, with both countries identifying practical areas for cooperation in nutrition, agriculture, investment and economic development. The exchange on the Seqota Declaration provides a starting point for continued technical collaboration, while the discussions between the two countries\u2019 leaders reaffirmed the importance of building on their shared interests to advance development and contribute to Africa\u2019s broader aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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India and Ethiopia Deepen Strategic Partnership During High-Level Ministerial Visit

India\u2019s Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, concluded a high-level official visit to Ethiopia from October 8\u201310, aimed at building directly upon the enhanced Strategic Partnership established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s landmark visit in December 2025.

The relationship between Ethiopia and India is anchored in genuine historical depth. For centuries, the two nations have been connected across the Indian Ocean through trade, culture, education, and human exchange. Today, this foundation of mutual trust and shared values continues to guide a dynamic bilateral alliance that translates high-level political alignment into tangible economic and developmental outcomes.

During his stay, FM Jaishankar toured several landmark national sites, including the National Palace Museum, the Science Museum, the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, and the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum. These visits provided the Indian delegation with firsthand insight into Ethiopia\u2019s rapid modern development, technological initiatives, and cultural preservation efforts.

A key highlight of the visit was a public lecture delivered by Foreign Minister Jaishankar at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum. Addressing diplomats, scholars, and policymakers, the Minister paid tribute to the historic Victory of Adwa, describing it as an enduring symbol of resistance that inspired anti-colonial movements across Africa and reshaped global history.

Outlining India\u2019s vision for a future-oriented India\u2013Africa Partnership, he emphasized that while historical solidarity provides trust, the future demands shared ambition. He advocated for non-extractive, non-conditional development partnerships centered on technology co-creation, local value addition, and capacity building. Reaffirming that \u201cpartnerships of the future must help create capabilities, not promote dependencies,\u201d he called for structural reforms in global governance, including permanent representation for Africa and India on the UN Security Council.

In bilateral talks with Ethiopia\u2019s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos, both leaders agreed to prioritize cooperation across core developmental and strategic pillars:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Trade, Investment and Resource Alignment: India ranks as the second-largest foreign direct investor in Ethiopia, with over 650 registered enterprises contributing billions of dollars in capital. Spanning manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, textiles, and plastics, Indian investments have generated more than 75,000 jobs for Ethiopians. To address trade imbalances, both sides are working to expand Ethiopian exports, including pulses, oilseeds, spices, coffee, and leather, while exploring Local Currency Settlement mechanisms to ease foreign exchange pressures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Mining and Potash Exploration: Joint ventures in critical minerals and mining, specifically potash exploration and development, were highlighted as vital priorities to attract new Indian capital, strengthen agricultural supply chains, and tap into Ethiopia\u2019s natural resources.

Defense and Regional Security: Cooperation will focus on maritime security, counterterrorism, and intelligence sharing across the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean Region to safeguard trade corridors and ensure regional stability.
Digital Infrastructure and Tech Transfer: Ethiopia expressed keen interest in leveraging Indian expertise in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), fintech, e-governance, digital payments, and space technology to accelerate its national digital transformation.

Scientific Collaboration and Capacity Building: Both ministers agreed to expand joint scientific research, biotechnology initiatives, university linkages, and specialized research in agricultural productivity and irrigation. Long-standing scholarship programs like ITEC and ICCR will be closely aligned with Ethiopia\u2019s socio-economic priorities.

On the international stage, Ethiopia and India reaffirmed their shared commitment to address global challenges, including climate change mitigation and counter-terrorism. As key allies within BRICS, and the United Nations, both nations continue to advocate for a multipolar world order, fair global governance, equitable climate finance, and economic sovereignty for the Global South.

The visit concluded with a meeting between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Foreign Minister Jaishankar at the flagship Chaka Project site in Addis Ababa. Their discussions focused on overarching strategies for sustainable urban development, technology transfer, and bilateral growth. To honor the delegation, the Office of the Prime Minister hosted an official dinner at the Chaka Project site, celebrating the enduring friendship and strategic vision connecting both nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


The Ethiopia\u2013India partnership remains grounded in mutual respect and shared ambitions. For Ethiopia, India represents an established model of rapid technological deployment, scientific expertise, and reliable economic partnership. For India, Ethiopia serves as a strategic gateway to Africa, a political anchor as the seat of the African Union, and a dynamic market of over 130 million people under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Announces Launch of Precious Metals Refinery Ethiopia and Nigeria Explore New Areas of Cooperation During Vice President Shettima\u2019s Visit India and Ethiopia Deepen Strategic Partnership During High Level Ministerial Visit \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0NEWS IN BRIEF Ethiopia\u00a0 Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially inaugurated Ethiopia\u2019s first National Precious Metals Refinery on Saturday, (October 10), at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-diplomacy","category-ethiopia","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.amn.gov.et\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.amn.gov.et\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.amn.gov.et\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.amn.gov.et\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.amn.gov.et\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5363"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.amn.gov.et\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5363\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5371,"href":"https:\/\/www.amn.gov.et\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5363\/revisions\/5371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.amn.gov.et\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.amn.gov.et\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.amn.gov.et\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}