Trade relations between Sweden and Ethiopia date back to 1894, with the sales of Swedish telephone equipment in Ethiopia. Today, Swedish exports to Ethiopia encompass machinery, vehicles and vehicle parts, telecommunications equipment, wood and paper, medical and chemical products. Exports from Ethiopia consist of mainly coffee, tanned leather and traditional food products.
The Embassy strives to promote trade and investments between Sweden and Ethiopia by facilitating contacts between the two countries’ business sectors and government agencies. Creating a sustainable cooperation with the local authorities, business entities and communities to promote and develop trade and investments between Sweden and Ethiopia is an important part of our work. The Ethiopian diaspora in Sweden has an important role in the further development of the political, economic, and cultural relations between Ethiopia and Sweden.
Sweden’s development cooperation in Ethiopia and regionally also aims to promote business and strengthen markets. Previously, Sweden’s bilateral Development Finance Institution (DFI) Swedfund has invested in major projects like Addis Cardiac Hospital and the Radisson Blu Hotel.
The Embassy regularly gathers the Ethio-Swedish, and sometimes the Ethio-Nordic, business communities to connect and discuss relevant topics. The Embassy can assist Swedish companies with contacts to local authorities and trade organizations, and works in close cooperation with Business Sweden’s regional office in Nairobi, which can offer more extensive support to companies interested in doing business in Ethiopia.
Companies may also consider engaging with the European Chamber in Ethiopia (EuroCham), an independent member organization for European companies in Ethiopia. Organizations such as TrAIDe also offers free fact sheets, sector reports and market studies covering business opportunities in Ethiopia.
The Embassy can provide information about export opportunities to Sweden and the European Union. The National Board of Trade of Sweden offers free of charge information and advice on exporting to Sweden on their website.
Swedfund – Sweden’s development finance institution with the mission to reduce poverty through sustainable investments in developing countries
The Swedish Export Credit Agency (EKN) – The The Swedish Export Credit Agency’s information about business in Ethiopia
National Board of Trade trade statistics (in Swedish) – statistics per country (select Ethiopia for full details)
ITC – Trade Impact for Good – International Trade Center’s information about Ethiopia
Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) – Market Information for exporting products to Europe
