• Ethiopia and Italy signed a joint declaration to deepen cooperation during a bilateral meeting in Addis Ababa.
• The cooperation framework includes a financial package of €180 million in soft loans and grants.
• The deal targets agricultural and industrial development, plus basic health and education services.

Ethiopia and Italy signed a joint declaration to strengthen their longstanding partnership, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on his X account on July 27. The signing took place during a bilateral meeting in Addis Ababa between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Abiy Ahmed emphasized that the agreement boosts ties between the two nations. He added that the leaders engaged in productive discussions on a range of bilateral and multilateral issues.

I had the pleasure once again of welcoming Prime Minister @GiorgiaMeloni of the Italian Republic to the National Palace. During our meeting, we engaged in productive discussions on a range of bilateral and multilateral issues. Our longstanding partnership was further reinforced… pic.twitter.com/6o4lofzhSc

— Abiy Ahmed Ali ?? (@AbiyAhmedAli) July 27, 2025

This declaration came on the eve of the United Nations Summit on Food Systems, held on July 28-29 2025. The summit gathers global leaders, experts, and stakeholders to fast-track sustainable food systems worldwide.

The Italian-Ethiopian Cooperation Framework features a financial commitment of €180 million—roughly $209 million—comprising soft loans and grants. The funds will support key projects to create jobs and drive economic development in agricultural and industrial sectors. In addition, they will improve access to basic health and education services.

This article was initially published in French by Lydie Mobio

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum