• Ethiopia and Malaysia signed multiple MoUs on tourism, health, air transport and urban management during Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Addis Ababa.
• Bilateral trade reached $274.5 million in 2023, according to the International Trade Commission, and officials expect the new agreements to boost exchanges.
• Malaysia plans to open an embassy in Ethiopia, in another step toward deepening diplomatic ties.

Ethiopia and Malaysia signed a set of new cooperation agreements on 19 November 2025 as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Addis Ababa for an official visit. The accords aim to strengthen ties across several strategic sectors.

Addis Ababa, Kuala Lumpur Sign Sister City Cooperation MoUhttps://t.co/5YbIWRWfbV pic.twitter.com/kfYHMk6E7T

— Ethiopian News Agency (@EthiopianNewsA) November 20, 2025

Officials said the two governments signed memoranda of understanding covering tourism, health, air transport and urban management. The package includes an MoU on tourism and health, an air services agreement, and a cooperation document linking the Kuala Lumpur City Council with the Addis Ababa City Administration under a decentralised partnership framework.

The two leaders also discussed broader areas crucial to economic and social development. They addressed industrialisation, investment, agriculture, electronics, and digital economy and finance issues under Ethiopia’s “Digital Ethiopia 2030” programme. They further reviewed cooperation in skills development, employment and sustainable projects in energy and environmental management.

Relations between Malaysia and Ethiopia have expanded steadily over the years. The partnership gained momentum in 2024 when the Malaysian prime minister visited Addis Ababa and held talks to deepen bilateral cooperation.

According to the International Trade Commission, bilateral trade reached $274.5 million in 2023. Officials said the new agreements could drive additional growth in the coming years.

Malaysia also plans to open an embassy in Ethiopia as part of its effort to consolidate diplomatic relations.

This article was initially published in French by Ingrid Haffiny (intern)

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum