Ethiopia, Malaysia to Hold First Bilateral Consultation in 2027

By Mintesinot Nigussie  |  September 16, 2026

Ethiopia and Malaysia will hold their first bilateral consultation in 2027, establishing a formal mechanism for the two countries to address bilateral issues and pursue new areas of economic cooperation.

The inaugural consultation will be held in Kuala Lumpur under an agreement reached between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

The talks come as commercial relations between the two countries expand, although trade remains heavily weighted towards Malaysia. Bilateral trade reached 625.6 million Malaysian ringgit in 2024, a 50 percent increase from the previous year, according to Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry. Malaysian exports to Ethiopia accounted for 579.9 million Malaysian ringgit of the total.

Malaysia’s exports to Ethiopia include electrical and electronic products, palm oil and palm-oil-based agricultural products, chemicals, textiles, apparel and footwear. Ethiopia’s exports to Malaysia include agricultural products, transport equipment, and metalliferous ores and metal scrap.

The two leaders discussed ways to increase trade and investment and identified halal products, agriculture, food security and pharmaceuticals as areas for cooperation. Digital services, renewable energy and tourism were also discussed as potential areas for closer engagement.

The planned consultation builds on steps taken during Anwar’s official visit to Ethiopia in November 2025. The two governments exchanged notes on bilateral consultations and reached agreements covering tourism, health, air services and cooperation between Kuala Lumpur City Council and the Addis Ababa City Administration.

The diplomatic relationship has gained momentum through reciprocal high-level visits. Abiy travelled to Malaysia in 2024, while Anwar made the first visit to Ethiopia by a Malaysian prime minister in 2025. The visit coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which were established in January 1965.

Malaysia reopened its embassy in Addis Ababa in September 2025 after a 43-year closure, restoring its diplomatic presence in Ethiopia and providing a platform for Kuala Lumpur to strengthen its engagement with Ethiopia and the wider African region.

Anwar also invited Ethiopia to establish an embassy in Kuala Lumpur during Tuesday’s meeting, potentially giving Addis Ababa a permanent diplomatic presence in Malaysia as the two governments seek to expand their economic and political ties.

Source: FSX Business News