Ukrainian Foreign Policy Eyes Africa

May 27 , 2023


A bilateral Trade Commission between Ethiopia and Ukraine may see the light of day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba revealed.  He met Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last week with the aim of lobbying for "mutual respect, interest and benefit". He cited pharmaceutical advancements, agricultural products, digital infrastructure and cyber security as areas of strength Ethiopia could benefit from Ukraine. The Minister is the first diplomat from Ukraine to visit Ethiopia. He said the current administration led by Volodymyr Zelenskyy wished to "reinvigorate" a relationship citing that the Zelensky Initiative successfully exported two-thirds of Ukraine's agricultural products to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. During a press conference at Hilton Addis, the Minister expressed disappointment in not maintaining a strong relationship with African countries, stating, "we lost." However, he expressed satisfaction with his meeting with the Prime Minister and anticipates further discussions to identify areas of partnership between the two countries.


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DREARY LANES

A street lamp around Addis Abeba Stadium melds into the concrete backdrop emblematic of the capital's ageing infrastructure. Over the past few years, Ethiopia's electric grid has been subject to destruction and theft, subjecting the public treasury to hundreds of millions in losses. Nearly half of the country's population does not have access to electricity. A series of projects by the World Bank has contributed to the slight but essential upgrade to the nation's grid, including a 500 million do...


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PLUMPY HUMPS

A trio of donkeys drag along the main road in front of Menlik School around the Arat Kilo area. While the four-legged domestic animal is a venerated member of the Ethiopian labour force, its skin and meat are increasingly valued in the international markets. Rhong Chang, a donkey slaughterhouse operating in Assela Town, Oromia Regional State reopened its services after a seven-year break two years ago. Public outroar has often accompanied the entrance of donkey abattoirs into Ethiopia since anot...


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IMPROMPTU AISLES

A bustling market emerges under a bridge in the boroughs of the Bole Michael area. Addis Abeba City Administration has launched a series of aesthetic initiatives embalmed in themes of beautification and urbanisation that have removed thousands of shops built with makeshift tents. Above a quarter of Addis Abeba's labour force is engaged in the informal economy, which while often associated with connotations of illegality, remains a sizeable employer in emerging economies across the world. Calibra...


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