Ethiopia welcomes DMA’s high-level trade investment mission
From 10th – 12th May, the Government of Ethiopia welcomed to Addis Ababa, a distinguished select group of business leaders (representing 17 companies with a combined market capitalisation of over 5bn USD), for a high-level investment mission, led by the newly-appointed Trade Envoy to Ethiopia, Richard Benyon MP. Organised by DMA in partnership with UKTI, the multi-sectorial visit provided a unique opportunity for investors and business leaders to deepen relationships in Ethiopia, secure new investments, or simply witness first-hand the opportunities in one of Africa’s most exciting emerging markets.
The prestigious trade mission took a group of current and potential private sector investors in Ethiopia, to meet with Prime Minister HE Hailemariam Desalegn and his cabinet in order to build on the momentum gained from the highly successful UK- Ethiopia Trade & Investment Forum also hosted by DMA in London back in October 2015 and led by Dr Tedros Adhanom, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The mission began by highlighting Ethiopia’s economic outlook, key sectors for investments (Energy, Infrastructure, Mining and Manufacturing), partnership opportunities, the supportive legal framework for FDI and the competitive workforce ability. In addition, DMA arranged 1-2-1 meetings to take place in the margins.
“The high growth rate momentum we have experienced for over a decade is set to continue, making the country the fastest growing non-oil economy in Africa and one of the fastest growing in the world” noted Dr Tedros Adhanom during his visit to the UK “Ethiopia is therefore waiting to receive investors with open arms. The sooner they come, the better their chances of success.”
Ethiopia - Africa’s second most populous country – is now one of the fastest-growing in Africa with foreign, private sector participation and investment now encouraged in many areas of the economy hitherto reserved exclusively for government.
DMA would also like to thank all those who supported the Forum and helped make it such a success.
PROGRAMME
DAY ONE:
09.30-10.00: Welcome
HMA Susanna Moorehead, British Ambassador to Ethiopia
Richard Benyon MP, Prime Minister's Trade-Envoy to Ethiopia
10.30-11.00: Courtesy call to Ambassador Taye Atskeselassie, State Minister for Foreign Affairs
11.30-13.00: Economic Briefing Session - Sponsored by Linklaters
Josephine Ngune, Resident Representative, AfDB
Emma Williams, Acting Country Head, DfID
Mark Russell, Partner, Linklaters
13.00-14.00: Investors Lunch
14.30-15.15: Ministerial Briefing with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development
15.45-16.45: Ministerial Briefing with the Ministry of Water & Energy
18.30-20.30: British Ambassador’s Reception: Evening cocktail reception at the British Ambassador's Residence
DAY TWO:
10.00-13.00: Mining and Infrastructure Briefing
Presenters:
Ros Lund, Specialist - High Value Opportunities Programme, UKTI
Abebe Bedassa, Advisor to the State Minister of Mines
Lydia Mesfin Asseres, Extractives Global Practice, World Bank
Dr Chris Gilchrist, Chief Operating Officer, Circum Minerals
Dr Kebede Belete, Country Manager, KEFI Minerals
13.00-14.00: Business Networking Lunch
14.00-17.00: Site visits
18.00-20.30: Official Mission Reception
DAY THREE:
11.00-12.00: Ministerial Briefing with Hon Tolosa Shagi, Minister of Mines, Petroleum & Natural Gas
14.30-15.00: Courtesy call to Hon Dr Debretsion Gebremichael, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Communication & Information Technology
15.00-15.30: Energy Briefing with the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation
16.00-16.30: Briefing with the Ethiopian Investment Commission
Evening: Depart for airport