The economic partnership between Israel and Ethiopia is progressing positively, with the Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel playing a pivotal role in promoting Ethiopian culture and business. The Ethiopian diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv reports that Israeli investors are actively engaged in various sectors in Ethiopia, including mining.
At a press conference in Tel Aviv, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Israel, Tesfaye Yetayew, emphasized the importance of the Beta Israel community—approximately 180,000 strong—in strengthening the ties between the two nations.
“As you can see, Ethiopian restaurants are showcasing our traditional food, drinks, and the coffee ceremony,” Ambassador Tesfaye told Ethiopian journalists. He highlighted that these establishments, located in cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, are essential for promoting not only Ethiopian cuisine but also its customs and broader culture.
The ambassador, a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in Ethiopia’s foreign service, noted that the community is also involved in investment activities within Ethiopia. These ventures include small restaurants, hotels, and operations in agriculture and manufacturing. He mentioned that two Israeli companies are investing in industrial parks, one in Bahir Dar and another on the outskirts of Addis Ababa.
The mission is actively encouraging both the Beta Israel community and all Israeli investors to explore opportunities in Ethiopia. “We promote key areas of investment, trade, and tourism,” Tesfaye explained.
“We inform them about available opportunities and participation modalities, which can include joint ventures between Ethiopian Israelis and other Israelis—a model that some are already pursuing.”
Recently, the mission hosted a business promotion event in collaboration with the Israel Export Institute to foster engagement in tourism, trade, and other investments.
The ambassador highlighted that the Beta Israel community, with its deep understanding of Ethiopian language and culture, is uniquely positioned to bridge the two countries, while also encouraging the broader Israeli population to get involved.
Ethiopia is actively promoting its incentives for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Key attractions for Israeli investors include opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, and digital development.
Ethiopia’s strategic location as a gateway to Africa, its large population, and its membership in the African Continental Free Trade Area are significant advantages.
The ambassador also mentioned existing Israeli involvement in Ethiopia’s mining sector, noting that their expertise presents a valuable opportunity for Ethiopia in terms of both direct business and knowledge transfer. In agriculture, Israeli companies are globally recognized for their precision farming techniques, with considerable potential for investment in agro-processing, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals.
Trade is another expanding area. Israel imports Ethiopian coffee, sesame for tahini, and teff. “The Beta Israelis enjoy injera made from teff, and now others are also discovering it. These are compelling incentives for the community to engage in business with Ethiopia,” Tesfaye remarked.
He concluded by pointing out that Israel, known as a “start-up nation” for its high-tech innovation, is increasingly interested in Ethiopia’s digital transformation.
“The payment system is being modernized with digital platforms, and there is growing interest in areas such as data storage and data mining,” he said, acknowledging that while he is not a technical expert, the interest from Israeli tech companies is clear.
Ethiopia is regarded as one of Israel’s longstanding partners in the region, despite fluctuations in diplomatic relations over the decades since Israel’s re-establishment as a nation.
