Israel’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Eli Cohen, has signed an agreement with Ethiopia’s Minister of Energy and Water, Habtamu Itefa Geleta, to enhance collaboration in energy, water, and innovation. Ethiopia, home to approximately 120 million people, boasts one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing economies, presenting significant opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
The agreement was finalized during Minister Cohen’s state visit to Ethiopia this week, aimed at deepening ties and bolstering Israel’s political and economic presence on the continent. Discussions focused on integrating Israeli companies into Ethiopia’s renewable energy sector, particularly solar power, as well as water infrastructure projects.
During his visit, Cohen also met with Ethiopia’s Minister of Mining and Petroleum, Million Mathews; Minister of Irrigation, Abraham Bley; and Minister of Innovation, Balta Mola. Additionally, he engaged with representatives from the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the United Nations Development Program.
With a population of over 120 million and one of the biggest economies on the continent, Ethiopia enjoys a strategic location in Africa and has had rapid economic growth in the last ten years. As a result, there is a lot of room to improve relations between the nations. Minister Cohen met with Betmo Itefa Gelata, Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy, as part of the visit. The ministers talked about a number of topics, including the inclusion of Israeli businesses in Ethiopian water infrastructure development projects and the development of renewable energy projects, particularly solar energy.
Minister Eli Cohen also met with Abraham Bley, the Minister of Irrigation, Million Mathews, the Minister of Mining and Petroleum, and Balta Mola, the Minister of Innovation, during the visit.
Additionally, the Minister met with representatives of the African Bank, the United Nations Development Program, and the World Bank in Ethiopia. The Minister met with businessmen and representatives of Ethiopian enterprises, as well as Israeli businessmen operating in Africa, as part of efforts to improve economic and business relations between the two nations.
To further strengthen economic relations, Cohen held talks with Israeli entrepreneurs operating in Africa, alongside Ethiopian business leaders and industry representatives.