Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized his country's role as a model for African nations seeking self-reliant development when he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 4.
Abiy, in the Chinese capital to attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit and conduct an official visit, highlighted China's blend of historical preservation and modernization, which he said offered valuable lessons for Ethiopia's urbanization and development. He also praised Chinese investments, which have significantly contributed to Ethiopia's economic and social progress.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrives in Beijing to attend the FOCAC Summit 2024, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2024. /CFP
One such example of this partnership is the Addis Tomorrow Special Economic Zone, which broke ground in August 2024. The project, developed by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), spans 35 hectares in the Gotera district of Addis Ababa and aims to transform the capital into a hub for international trade, residential spaces and high-standard housing. Abiy, speaking at the launch ceremony, underscored the zone's importance in enhancing the city's global image, creating jobs and improving living standards.
The zone will be developed in phases, with the first expected to be completed in three years, while the total project is slated for completion in eight years. The development aligns with Ethiopia's broader ambition to become a leader in urbanization and economic modernization.
Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. /CFP
Ethiopia's rise as a manufacturing hub has also been supported by Chinese economist Lin Yifu's New Structural Economics. Lin's guidance led to the establishment of the Huajian Group's shoe manufacturing plant in Ethiopia's Eastern Industrial Park, an investment that has created over 8,000 jobs.
The factory, which produces 15,000 pairs of shoes daily, has generated more than $200 million in revenue and exports its products to markets in Europe and the United States. Lin has emphasized the importance of leveraging local advantages, such as Ethiopia's labor and leather resources, to drive industrial growth. His broader work on industrial parks has also guided development in other African nations, including Nigeria and Guinea.
A Chinese-funded textile workshop in the Eastern Industry Zone in Ethiopia. /courtesy of Eastern Industry Zone
Broader business opportunities across Africa
China's involvement in Africa extends beyond Ethiopia. The Eighth China-Africa Entrepreneurs Conference, held on September 6 as part of the FOCAC Summit, showcased the depth of economic cooperation between China and the continent. According to Zhang Shaogang, vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the event attracted 382 Chinese business representatives and 408 from Africa, reflecting the growing interest in business partnerships. Sectors represented included energy, mining and infrastructure, alongside emerging industries such as digital technology and biopharmaceuticals.
"Africa and China share great potential for cooperation in emerging sectors such as the digital economy, green development and artificial intelligence," Zhang noted. He highlighted the complementarity between China's comprehensive industrial system and Africa's developmental needs, particularly in integrating industrial and supply chains. Zhang called on Chinese and African entrepreneurs to leverage platforms like the China International Supply Chain Expo to oppose protectionism and keep supply chains stable.
Journalists attend a press briefing at FOCAC Summit 2024, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2024. /CFP
Digital infrastructure is another key area of cooperation. Chinese companies have supported African nations in providing network services to nearly 700 million users. Sun Xiao, secretary-general of the China Chamber of International Commerce, noted that Chinese firms have been instrumental in developing e-commerce ecosystems in countries like Ethiopia and South Africa, sharing expertise in digital payments and logistics.
Trade between China and Africa has been on the rise. In 2023, total trade reached $282.1 billion, up 11 percent from 2021, marking a record high for two consecutive years. Chinese companies have also created over 1.1 million jobs across Africa in the past three years. Lin Honghong, director-general of CCPIT's International Relations Department, noted that China has been Africa's largest trading partner for 15 years, with trade totaling 1.19 trillion yuan ($166.6 billion) between January and July 2024.
The FOCAC Summit and the Eighth China-Africa Entrepreneurs Conference underline China's growing role in Africa's economic development. For Ethiopia and other African nations, these engagements provide critical platforms for deepening cooperation, advancing industrialization and driving sustainable economic growth.