The United States is seeking to deepen aviation cooperation with Ethiopia as part of a broader diplomatic push across Africa, according to officials familiar with recent engagements in Addis Ababa.

The focus was highlighted during a meeting at Ethiopian Airlines Group headquarters, where the airline’s chief executive officer, Mesfin Tasew, and senior executives held talks with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

Discussions centred on expanding collaboration in the aviation sector, supporting sustainable industry growth and identifying new areas of partnership between the two countries.

Landau arrived in Addis Ababa in late January 2026 as part of a wider African tour that includes Egypt, Kenya and Djibouti, aimed at strengthening U.S. diplomatic, security and economic ties on the continent. His visit to Ethiopia has been framed by talks on bilateral cooperation and regional developments.

During the visit, Landau also met Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed alongside U.S. Africa Command commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson. Media reports said the discussions included commitments to deepen security cooperation and address shared regional challenges.

Both sides highlighted aviation as a strategic sector for economic development, international connectivity and people-to-people ties, as Washington and Addis Ababa seek to reinforce long-standing relations through commercial and institutional cooperation.