Addis Ababa is currently hosting the Third Africa Trade and Investment Summit, convening policymakers, investors, and business leaders from across the continent to accelerate cross-border collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
The summit, themed “Empowering Africa’s Growth through Cross Border Trade and Investment Synergy”, is organised by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration in partnership with the Investment Center for Africa.
In his keynote address, Ethiopia’s Trade and Regional Integration State Minister, Abdulhakim Mulu, underlined the critical need for strategic policy frameworks, targeted capital mobilisation, and a business climate that fosters investor confidence, particularly among African stakeholders. He noted that despite Africa’s evident economic potential—ranging from renewable energy and agriculture to digital services and green infrastructure—growth will only be achieved through deliberate, collective action.
Also read: Green Gold : Ethiopia’s Industrial Revolution
“Potential does not automatically translate into prosperity,” he stated. “We must build the right frameworks and create an environment that inspires confidence—especially among African investors themselves.”
Mulu highlighted intra-Africa trade as a central pillar for industrialisation, job creation, and innovation. He further positioned Ethiopia as a committed advocate for a united and economically empowered continent, citing initiatives such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti corridor as examples of Ethiopia’s investment in regional connectivity and integration.
Investment Center for Africa CEO, Abdinasir Turky, echoed the need to enhance intra-African partnerships and foster a more conducive environment for trade and investment across national borders.
The two-day summit aims to forge new alliances and catalyse sustainable investments that will drive Africa’s long-term development.
