Anwar to Make Historic First Official Visit to Ethiopia, Marking 60 Years of Malaysia–Ethiopia Ties

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 17: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will embark on a landmark official visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia from Nov 18 to 20, 2025, at the invitation of Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali.

The visit, which reciprocates Dr. Abiy’s trip to Malaysia in October 2024, will be the first ever by a Malaysian Prime Minister to Ethiopia. It comes as both nations celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, established in January 1965, and follows the reopening of Malaysia’s embassy in Addis Ababa on Sept 23 this year.

Anwar will be accompanied by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Senator Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, senior officials, and a delegation of Malaysian business leaders.

An official welcoming ceremony will be held at the National Palace in Addis Ababa, followed by bilateral talks between Anwar and Dr. Abiy. The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in key sectors, including trade and investment, agriculture, health, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

The two leaders will also share perspectives on regional and global developments, particularly concerning ASEAN and the African continent.

Multiple cooperation documents will be exchanged during the visit, including an MoU on Tourism Cooperation, an MoU on Health Cooperation, an Air Services Agreement, Collaboration Document between Kuala Lumpur City Council and the Addis Ababa City Administration, and an Exchange of Notes on Bilateral Consultations

Anwar’s itinerary also includes a courtesy call on Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie and participation in the Malaysia-Ethiopia High-Level Business Forum aimed at expanding commercial linkages.

Additionally, the Prime Minister will meet African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, after which he will deliver a special lecture titled “Bridging Civilizations, Building Futures: Strengthening Afro-Malaysia Partnership for Shared Prosperity” to youth leaders from the Pan-African Youth Union and Ethiopia Youth Council.

Ethiopia was Malaysia’s 26th largest trading partner in Africa in 2024, with bilateral trade valued at RM625.6 million. Malaysia’s exports, which rose 50% from the previous year, were worth RM579.9 million, led by electrical and electronic products, palm oil and related goods, chemical products, and textiles. Imports from Ethiopia consisted mainly of agricultural items, transport equipment, and metal ores and scrap.

After concluding his mission in Ethiopia, Anwar will travel to South Africa for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, where he will attend as a guest of the G20 presidency before making an official visit to Kenya.