Relations between Türkiye and Ethiopia date back to ancient times, with a well-documented history of rapprochement since the 16th century, pointing to deep-rooted social and cultural ties.

Records show that the ties gained a new dimension during the late Ottoman Empire, culminating in the opening of the Ottoman Consulate General in Harar in 1912.

In 1926, the Republic of Türkiye, founded by Kamal Ataturk, established its Embassy in Addis Ababa, becoming the first diplomatic representation of the young Republic in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ethiopia opened its Embassy in Türkiyein 1933.

“Being the second-largest foreign investor in the country, Türkiye is determined to improve its relations with Ethiopia through the devoted efforts of its institutions such as the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Turkish Maarif Foundation, and Turkish companies,” says the Turkish Ambassador to Ethiopia in a message posted on the Embassy’s website. “As Ambassador, my priority will be to spend every effort to further intensify our relations, and to carry deep-rooted cultural ties forward to this end.”

Ethiopia and Türkiye have maintained strategic ties, accentuated by economic partnerships [Türkiye is the second-largest investor in Ethiopia after China], military and security cooperation, as well as development and cultural collaboration.

During the tragic February 2023 earthquake in Turkey, Ethiopia offered assistance—a gesture Türkiye recognized by awarding the Ethiopian rescue team a medal.

Ethiopian Airlines, specifically Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services, facilitated an extraordinary flight to transport 100 tons of humanitarian aid from Mexico to Türkiye to assist victims of the devastating earthquakes.

The visit is expected to elevate the already robust Türkiye-Ethiopia relations to a new height of strategic cooperation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to pay a state visit to Ethiopia, his second such visit since 2015.

According to the Türkiye Communications Bureau, Erdogan’s visit to Ethiopia is scheduled for Tuesday.