Speech by H.E. Mr Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia at the inaugural UK-Africa Investment Summit in London.

Ethiopia’s remarkable record of economic growth and home-grown development path has inspired the whole continent of Africa. In this insight for the Overseas Development Institute, Arkebe Oqubay looks at the growing impact of foreign investment across Africa and considers the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the continent.

The first edition of ITME-AFRICA 2020 - International Textile and Machinery Exhibition - will take place on 14 - 16 February 2020 in Addis Ababa, offering sourcing solutions, joint ventures, and investment opportunities not only to Ethiopia but to all of Africa.

The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in London wishes to advise all customers travelling to Ethiopia to secure their visas (tourist and business) either online at www.evisa.gov.et or on arrival at Bole International Airport, without visiting the Embassy in person.

The second International Coffee Event (ICE 20202) will take place in Addis Ababa from 6 - 8 February 2020 under the theme, "Coffee from the Land of Origins". The event will attract international coffee buyers and other stakeholders, making it a great networking opportunity with local farmers and exporters.

My wife, Asegedetch Amberber, and my dedicated staff at the Ethiopian Embassy in London join me in transmitting our heart-felt wishes to Ethiopians in the United Kingdom and to British friends of Ethiopia celebrating Christmas and ushering in the New Year.

Since PM Abiy came to power in April 2018, Ethiopia has undergone major political and economic changes. This year, major political developments included a referendum, liberalisation of the economy, the adoption of the “Green Legacy” initiative and much more. But there were also challenges, including an attempted coup.

A delegation led by Deputy PM Demeke Mekonnen attended the first–ever Global Refugee Forum in Geneva. In his keynote address, Mr Mekonnen called for a comprehensive response to refugees and announced Ethiopia’s new pledges that are strongly linked with existing commitments and aligned with the focus areas of the Forum.

Dr Yohannes Haile-Selassie has been named among “10 people who mattered in science in 2019” by the prestigious journal Nature. He's recognised for the discovery of a 3.8-million-year-old fossil skull of an early human ancestor in Ethiopia, belonging to a species called Australopithecus anamensis — the oldest and most elusive known human relative.