The trade turnover between Russia and Ethiopia increased 3 times in 2025. At the same time, Russian exports increased fourfold, and imports doubled. Coffee has become a key commodity purchased in Ethiopia. These and other pressing issues of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries were discussed during the working meeting by Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov and Minister of Trade and Regional Integration of the FDRE Kasahun Gofe Balami.
Maxim Reshetnikov, in particular, informed the Ethiopian partners about the fundamental decision to establish the Russian-Ethiopian Business Council. His task is to intensify contacts between economic operators and business associations of the two countries. The presence of a specialized negotiation platform will create an additional channel for interaction, the search for counterparties, as well as the prompt resolution of key issues related to logistics, payments, and business support," the head of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development expressed confidence. It was agreed that the Ethiopian side will determine a similar structure for cooperation.
In addition, Kasahun Gofe Balami thanked the Russian side for its support in the framework of the country's accession to the WTO. In turn, the Russian representatives confirmed their readiness to continue providing all necessary technical and advisory assistance to Addis Ababa, including through meetings of the Informal Consultative Mechanism of the BRICS countries on WTO Issues in Geneva.
In conclusion, the participants discussed preparations for the 10th meeting of the Russian-Ethiopian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and Trade, which is scheduled to be held in Ethiopia this year. The Russian side proposed holding a bilateral business forum on the sidelines of the Commission's meeting, which would consolidate existing agreements and launch new joint initiatives.
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