By: Kassahun Chanie
The Ethiopia-Sweden Business Forum 2025, boldly themed "We Mean Business," officially commenced today in Addis Ababa, signalling a resolute commitment to deepening economic ties and fostering shared prosperity between the two nations.
The two-day event, running through November 13th, has convened a powerful delegation of business leaders, government officials, and key stakeholders from both Sweden and Ethiopia, all eager to translate ambition into tangible trade and investment outcomes.
"YES, WE MEAN BUSINESS," declared Magnus Lennartsson, the Ambassador of Sweden to Ethiopia, in his compelling keynote address to the gathering. "It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the Ethiopia-Sweden Business Forum 2025. Together, we are taking the next step in a diverse trade and business relationship spanning over one hundred years, complemented by development cooperation, academic exchanges and strong people-to-people ties." Ambassador Lennartsson underscored that the forum, an initiative born from the Embassy of Ethiopia in Stockholm, in partnership with the Swedish East African Chamber of Commerce, and further developed with Business Sweden in Nairobi, truly embodies a shared ambition for trade, investment, and sustainable and inclusive growth.
He also highlighted the forum's strategic timing, building on the significant engagement by the European Union and its member states, including Sweden, as evidenced by the recent Europe-Ethiopia Investment Forum in Paris and the upcoming EU-Ethiopia Business Forum in Addis Ababa in April 2026.
Ambassador Lennartsson elaborated on the forum's powerful slogan, explaining its multi-faceted commitment: "WE, the Swedish Private sector are ready to engage with Ethiopian counterparts to bring high-quality solutions and build on tested business ventures with one of the world's fastest growing economies. WE, Team Sweden, are ready to promote, invest and enable international business through Swedish public institutions such as Business Sweden, Swedfund and Sida, all represented at this Forum. WE, the Embassy of Sweden in Addis Abeba, are bringing together the Swedish-Ethiopian business community, engaging with stakeholders in Sweden and across Ethiopia, and directly supporting inclusive business through bilateral and regional development cooperation."
He concluded his remarks by wishing all participants a very fruitful Business Forum and expressing his profound anticipation for an even deeper business and trade relationship between Sweden and Ethiopia in the years to come.
Meanwhile, at the Ethiopia-Sweden Business Forum 2025, DAG HARTELIUS, the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, illuminated the historical ties and current trade opportunities between Sweden and Ethiopia.
Speaking to a diverse audience of business leaders and policymakers, Hartelius noted, “Swedish architects and craftsmen have played a pivotal role in shaping Ethiopian infrastructure, and today, over 15 Swedish companies are here to explore sectors from healthcare to sustainable packaging.”
The forum, which took place at a venue renowned for its Swedish architectural influence, served as a platform to strengthen bilateral trade. Hartelius emphasised three crucial opportunities: enhancing investment conditions, facilitating trade through initiatives like the Open Trade Gate, and promoting innovation by harnessing Sweden’s reputation as the second most innovative country globally alongside Ethiopia's youthful workforce.
He formally opened the forum with a call to action for both nations. “We must continue improving economic reforms in Ethiopia while encouraging Swedish companies to export here,” he urged. “Moreover, ensuring peace and rule of law will create an environment ripe for investment and innovation.”
The discussions highlighted the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the World Trade Organisation in fostering predictable trade relations.
A powerful call for intensified Ethiopian-Swedish collaboration echoed through the halls of the Ethiopian Student Business Forum 2025 today, with Ethiopia’s State Minister of Industry, Hassan Mohammed, urging Swedish investors to capitalise on burgeoning opportunities in sectors ranging from renewable energy to digital technology.
Speaking at the forum, the State Minister underscored the deep-rooted and fruitful relationship between the two nations, highlighting Sweden’s impactful contributions to Ethiopia’s development.
State Minister Hassan emphasised that Sweden’s significant role in key areas such as education, health, and governance, and pointed to the substantial investments made by Swedish giants like Scania, Assa Abloy, and Tetra Pak as tangible proof of their commitment to Ethiopia’s growth.
He articulated Ethiopia's ambitious economic roadmap, which includes the creation of five million jobs by 2030 and a target of increasing exports to nine billion dollars, all underpinned by a strategic push to digitalise its manufacturing industries.
"We invite Swedish partners to join us in this transformative journey," State Minister Hassan reportedly stated, addressing delegates from Sweden, including representatives from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ethiopian Investment Commission.
He specifically highlighted areas ripe for partnership, such as renewable energy, transport, mining, agro-processing, digital technology, and green industries, stressing the mutual benefits derived from sustainable business practices.
For his part, Dr Zeleke Temesgen, Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, emphasised the long-standing relationship rooted in "mutual respect and development cooperation," and highlighted Sweden’s significant contributions to Ethiopia's industrial transformation, particularly in manufacturing and renewable energy.
Dr Zeleke noted that Ethiopia's strategic location at the heart of Africa offers access to a market of over 1.4 billion consumers. "Our government is committed to creating a conducive business environment through comprehensive reforms in sectors like telecommunications and banking. These reforms include attractive investment incentives such as tax exemptions and access to industrial parks, aimed at fostering sustainable foreign investments,” he stated.
The forum, organised with the support of the Swedish-East Africa Chamber of Commerce, served as a vital platform for forging connections.
Actionable recommendations from the event included a call for joint ventures between the government and private sectors to convert opportunities into tangible outcomes.
Furthermore, investors were encouraged to leverage the forum’s environment to build partnerships that will fuel sustainable growth and prosperity not only for Ethiopia and Sweden but for the wider African continent.
The overarching sentiment expressed was that business cooperation is a potent engine for shared prosperity and innovation.
As the forum progresses, the palpable energy and clear directives from both the Swedish Ambassador and the Chamber Chair, complemented by Business Sweden's practical support mechanisms, set a strong precedent for fruitful collaborations.
Attendees are actively encouraged to leverage the platform to forge invaluable connections and investigate the myriad of opportunities presented, laying the groundwork for a deeper, more prosperous business and trade relationship in the years to come.
