2023-03-22In late February this year, a high-level delegation led by Ahmed Shide, the Minister of Finance of Ethiopia, visited China. The delegation engaged with relevant Chinese government departments, financial institutions, and held multiple discussions and negotiations with representatives from the business and investment sectors. In an exclusive interview with international journalists before concluding the visit, Minister Ahmed Shide expressed a genuine sense of China's dedication and enthusiasm towards Africa. He highlighted the significance of China's initiatives such as the BRI and the Global Development Initiative in Ethiopia's and Africa's development, from which Africa countries have benefited.
"The BRI is a historically significant and great initiative."
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the BRI. Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on jointly building the Belt and Road in 2018, China and Ethiopia have deepened cooperation in various fields, including infrastructure development, energy development, and economic and trade investment. Shide noted that Ethiopia has benefited significantly within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, with improvements observed in the country's infrastructure.
Specifically, Shide mentioned the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway, constructed by China, connecting Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, to Djibouti. It not only serves crucial cargo transportation functions for Ethiopia but also stimulates the development of industrial parks and free trade zones along its route, becoming a genuine economic artery. Shide praised the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway, stating that it "supports the development of Djibouti and Ethiopia and enhances regional integration in the Horn of Africa." Additionally, Shide highlighted other construction projects under the BRI, such as the Dire Dawa–Djibouti highway, the Addis Ababa–Adama expressway, and the Moggio–Hawassa highway, all of which contribute to the interconnectedness of Ethiopia's infrastructure. Shide concluded, "Through the Belt and Road Initiative, Ethiopia has implemented numerous projects in infrastructure development, energy development, and road and railway construction. All these projects are contributing to Ethiopia's development."
As a crucial participant in the BRI, Ethiopia, along with several other African nations, has seized the opportunity in recent years to align its development strategy with that of China and foster multi-sectoral cooperation. Shide remarked, "The Belt and Road Initiative not only supports Africa's development but also promotes regional integration and economic development, and peace and security throughout Africa. It is a historically significant and great initiative."
"The Global Development Initiative will benefit African countries"
In 2021, China’s President Xi Jinping introduced the Global Development Initiative. Ahmed Shide emphasized, "The Global Development Initiative has the support of Prime Minister Abiy of Ethiopia, and we have been actively involved in it."
Shide stated that, as a major developing country, Ethiopia is also "implementing our development vision to build a prosperous Ethiopia," making China's development experience behind the Global Development Initiative highly valuable for Ethiopia. He explained, "We need economic growth and transformation. We need social development, institutional improvement, and infrastructure development. The Global Development Initiative emphasizes regional peace, regional security, infrastructure development, global human development, and a people-centered approach. Therefore, it is very important."
Shide also pointed out the close alignment between the Global Development Initiative and the African Union's Agenda 2063, stating that “poverty reduction, food security, green development, sustainability, and industrialization are priority areas for African development.” Shide affirmed, "The Global Development Initiative shares China's experiences from multiple perspectives, placing development at the center of global partnerships and prioritizing poverty reduction and people-centered development. This initiative will benefit African countries, and Ethiopia will continue to play a crucial role in implementing the Global Development Initiative."
