Business and Trade

Trade relations between Sweden and Ethiopia date back to 1894, with the sales of Swedish telephone equipment in Ethiopia. Today, Swedish exports to Ethiopia encompass machinery, vehicles and vehicle parts, telecommunications equipment, wood and paper, medical and chemical products. Exports from Ethiopia consist of mainly coffee, tanned leather and traditional food products.

The Embassy strives to promote trade and investments between Sweden and Ethiopia by facilitating contacts between the two countries’ business sectors and government agencies. Creating a sustainable cooperation with the local authorities, business entities and communities to promote and develop trade and investments between Sweden and Ethiopia is an important part of our work. The Ethiopian diaspora in Sweden has an important role in the further development of the political, economic, and cultural relations between Ethiopia and Sweden.

Sweden’s development cooperation in Ethiopia and regionally also aims to promote business and strengthen markets. Previously, Sweden’s bilateral Development Finance Institution (DFI) Swedfund has invested in major projects like Addis Cardiac Hospital and the Radisson Blu Hotel.