Sharjah Chamber leads high-level trade mission to Ethiopia to cultivate economic partnerships
A delegation led by the Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry travels to Addis Ababa this week to explore investment opportunities and strengthen commercial ties between the emirate and the East African nation.
Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, through its Sharjah Export Development Centre, is orchestrating a significant trade mission to Addis Ababa from 19th to 22nd October 2026, reflecting the emirate’s commitment to deepening economic engagement with African markets. The delegation, led by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, brings together government officials and representatives from Sharjah’s private sector to explore the considerable opportunities that Ethiopia presents.
The mission serves as a cornerstone initiative within SCCI’s broader strategy to strengthen economic and trade relations across Africa, unlock fresh avenues for investment cooperation, and expand the reach of UAE-made products into African markets. A central element of the programme is the Sharjah–Ethiopia Business Forum, scheduled for 20th October 2026, which will convene senior government officials, representatives of chambers of commerce and economic institutions, and businesses from both nations to examine mutual opportunities for trade and investment collaboration.
The forum will bring together prominent Ethiopian officials including Dr. Abdulhakim Mulu, State Minister of Trade and Regional Integration; Hasan Muhumed Moalin, State Minister of Industry; and Dr. Sofia Kassa, State Minister for Agricultural Investment and Input Supply Development Sector. Discussions are anticipated to focus on enhancing trade, industrial and agricultural cooperation, facilitating market access for UAE products, and identifying investment prospects across manufacturing, food processing, agriculture, packaging, construction materials and logistics sectors.
Beyond the formal forum, the mission encompasses extensive engagements with Ethiopian government entities and economic institutions, including the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ethiopian Investment Commission. These interactions will explore joint investment opportunities, provide insights into regulatory frameworks, establish mechanisms for institutional cooperation, and foster direct business-to-business connections between Emirati and Ethiopian enterprises.
A particularly noteworthy aspect of the mission involves exploring the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding originally established between SCCI and the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations in 2001, a gesture that underscores the enduring economic relationship between Sharjah and Ethiopia’s capital. Such a renewal would facilitate deeper institutional cooperation, promote the exchange of information and trade delegations, and coordinate joint economic initiatives.
Abdallah Sultan Al Owais emphasised the mission’s significance within SCCI’s overarching strategy to enhance private-sector competitiveness and broaden Sharjah’s export markets. He highlighted Ethiopia as a promising market characterised by diverse economic and investment opportunities, expressing optimism about strengthening cooperation between the business communities of both cities and establishing new channels for trade and investment exchange that advance the emirate’s export growth and reinforce UAE companies’ presence across Africa.
The delegation will undertake field visits to selected industrial facilities and economic institutions throughout Ethiopia, providing opportunities to examine the nation’s production capabilities, understand local market requirements, and identify potential trade partnerships. This multifaceted approach reflects SEDC’s commitment to driving UAE export growth and encouraging businesses to capitalise on emerging opportunities across the African continent, in alignment with Sharjah’s vision for economic diversification and sustainable development.
Source: WAM