Sharjah’s gaze turns toward African opportunity as chamber concludes Ethiopia trade mission
A landmark business forum in Addis Ababa has strengthened Sharjah's commercial footprint across the continent, with Emirati companies now positioned to explore ventures in agriculture, manufacturing and logistics.
The bilateral business forum convened in Ethiopia’s capital brought together some 150 Emirati and Ethiopian enterprises, alongside government officials and economic institutions from both nations, underscoring the appetite for deeper commercial ties between Sharjah and the Horn of Africa.
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, working through its Export Development Centre, conducted the mission under the banner “Fostering New Partnerships and Driving the Future Together”, a framework designed to unlock avenues for Sharjah-based businesses seeking to establish themselves within African markets. The delegation engaged directly with Ethiopian government leadership, including Hassan Mohammed, State Minister of Industry, and Dr. Sofia Kassa, State Minister for Agricultural Investment and Input Supply Development, whilst also meeting with the Ethiopian Investment Commission and the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration.
Institutional collaboration formed a cornerstone of the visit. The Sharjah Chamber and Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations formalised their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding, a gesture intended to deepen bilateral economic relations and facilitate joint venture development. Conversations centred on sectors where both economies might find common ground: manufacturing, food processing, food security, packaging, building materials and logistics. These sectors reflect both the practical strengths of Sharjah’s private sector and the genuine development priorities of Ethiopia’s growing economy.
Field visits provided the Emirati delegation with tangible insight into Ethiopia’s industrial ecosystem. Participating companies toured Addis Industry Village, operated by the Ethiopian Industrial Parks Development Corporation, observing firsthand the manufacturing operations and capabilities of local enterprises. For businesses like BEEAH Group, which specialises in environmental solutions, such exposure illuminated pathways for collaboration, with representatives noting that direct engagement with Ethiopian stakeholders clarified market requirements and opportunities to apply advanced environmental technologies.
This initiative arrives as Sharjah Chamber leads high-level engagement with Ethiopia’s economic leadership, part of a broader strategic commitment to international expansion. The chamber’s efforts across multiple continents reflect the emirate’s determination to cultivate diverse trading relationships, evident too in recent work to strengthen ties with economies in Europe and beyond.
Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber, characterised the mission as integral to the organisation’s mission to enhance the competitiveness of Sharjah’s private sector and enable companies to seize international growth opportunities. He emphasised that Africa represents a continent of considerable economic potential, particularly for enterprises seeking to develop operations in production, industry and food sectors.
The bilateral trade relationship between the UAE and Ethiopia already demonstrates considerable momentum, with total trade valued at USD 5.6 billion between 2021 and 2025. Ethiopian imports from the UAE reached USD 4.4 billion during this period, whilst Ethiopian exports to the UAE totalled USD 1.2 billion, indicating the asymmetry that characterises many emerging partnerships, where established Emirati sectors supply goods to growing African markets.
What it means for Abu Dhabi
The success of Sharjah’s Ethiopia mission carries implications that extend across the UAE’s trading landscape. As one emirate strengthens its continental footprint, it reinforces the federation’s collective presence in African markets, enhancing the competitive position of UAE-based enterprises across multiple sectors. The emphasis on food processing, manufacturing and logistics particularly resonates with sectors where Abu Dhabi companies maintain significant expertise and capacity for expansion.
The formalisation of institutional links between Sharjah and Ethiopian economic bodies creates frameworks within which Abu Dhabi businesses might also operate more effectively, should they wish to participate in similar opportunities. The substantial bilateral trade figures, now reaching more than USD 5 billion over five years, signal a market of genuine scale, one where continued investment in relationships and infrastructure will likely yield returns for enterprises across the federation. Ethiopia’s focus on food security and agricultural development aligns closely with regional priorities that affect the entire UAE.