China-Ethiopia ties are an example for all of Africa
Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Ambassador Berhane Gebre-Christos says that China-Ethiopia ties represent the best type of relationship that two nations can have. They are, he said, an excellent example for Africa and for the rest of the world of how two sides can work on a win-win basis. In an interview with China Daily Africa Weekly, Ambassador Berhane described China’s engagement in Africa as positive, noting that Africa was changing rapidly and China was contributing to the changes taking place in the South in general, and in Africa in particular. China, indeed, was playing an important role in Africa’s development in infrastructure, manufacturing and agriculture as well as its poverty-reduction and modernization efforts. The results, he said, were beneficial for everybody, “for China’s growth and Africa’s rise.
Ambassador Berhane noted that the relationship between China and Ethiopia was defined as a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in May 2017 during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation when Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn visited China. One element of the cooperation between the two countries was the emphasis on building industrial zones to fuel Ethiopia’s economy. Three such zones have been established and 15 more are being built by the Ethiopian government and Chinese companies. This wasn’t enough, however, said Ambassador Berhane. “We need to do more. We are working very closely with China.” Ethiopian people welcome Chinese companies and “we need to expand cooperation.”
Part of Ethiopia’s sustainable development and poverty relief program was the Eastern Industrial Zone near the capital of Addis Ababa which has attracted more than 20 Chinese companies since it was launched in 2007, including Huajian International Shoe City and Great Wall Packing Material. Another industrial zone, built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corp in Hawassa, began operations in 2016, and aims to offer 50,000 jobs and generate $1 billion a year. Ambassador Berhane emphasized Ethiopia aims to become an industrial hub in Africa. China, he said, has been very supportive, encouraging companies to go to Ethiopia, where “We offer good conditions, including land, infrastructure and everything they need in one place.” There are also companies from Turkey, India, Brazil and other parts of the world in the industrial zones, but the number of Chinese companies has been growing significantly since the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2015.
Ambassador Berhane, noting that China was moving to a higher phase of development, in technology and innovation, said: “Chinese companies have a good understanding of our situation. They see things properly and get engaged strongly.” He added: “In fact, in terms of fundamental outlook, China and Ethiopia share the same views, especially when it comes to development. So, sharing experiences between the two countries becomes easier.” He believed other African countries could learn from China-Ethiopia cooperation. China had done marvellously well in achieving modernization and any nation that wanted to improve, to reduce poverty, to advance, had a great deal to learn from China. Now, as Ethiopia is making progress, other countries were looking at Ethiopia’s experiences. He noted Ethiopia’s double-digit economic growth for the past 14 years, the reduction of poverty by 55%, and the 17 million people in education. He pointed out that factors that have contributed to success, in addition to China’s support, included development strategies and policies, and people’s commitment to development.
Ambassador Berhane said that much had been achieved so far. Everybody was getting the benefit, and there were growing ties and understanding. The results arising from the Belt and Road Initiative showed a comprehensive harmonization of policies, financial cooperation and a growing people-to-people relationship between China and Africa. Now, he said, was the time to cooperate fully with the Belt and Road Initiative, “to improve what we have laid down and to work for the realization, already showing impressive advance and success.”
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UK-Ethiopia solar energy co-operation
An Ethiopian government delegation has visited UK to exchange best practices concerns and information with British companies in renewable energy and increase energy sector investment. Dr. Engineer Seleshi Bekele, Minister for Water, Irrigation and Electricity and Engineer Azeb Asnake, CEO of Ethiopian Electric Power made a joint working visit to the UK last week (January 31- February 2). The visit was organized by the UK Department for International Trade to highlight UK expertise in renewable energy and provide the opportunity for Minister Seleshi to meet relevant UK companies and stakeholders. During the visit, Minister Seleshi signed a Memorandum of understanding with Winch Energy to develop a project to supply off-grid solar energy to 700 villages in Ethiopia.
Minister Dr. Seleshi and Engineer Azeb, accompanied by Ambassador Hailemichael Abera, Ethiopian Ambassador to the UK, met with Mr. Jeremy Lefroy MP, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Ethiopia. They also met other UK government officials and British companies in the renewable energy sector, to discuss areas in which the UK and Ethiopia could deepen their energy sector investment relationship. Minister Dr. Seleshi and Engineer Azeb also attended a roundtable chaired by the Trade Envoy and hosted by British renewable energy company Globeleq. A number of other UK companies made presentations covering their areas of expertise. Dr. Seleshi shared Ethiopian experience on the energy sector including the plans to generate 17,000MW of power by 2020.
Mr. Lefroy said he was delighted to welcome the minister and EEP’s CEO to the UK. He noted that the government of Ethiopia had ambitious plans to increase its generation capacity and expand electrification to provide for the poorest to access energy. He said the UK was already supporting those initiatives through projects such as Corbetti Geothermal, which included significant development and private finance from the UK, he hoped the visit would , encourage more British investment into Ethiopia’s energy sector.
Dr. Seleshi emphasized that renewable Energy was at the heart of Ethiopia’s plans to reach middle income status by 2025. He underlined that creating millions of new on- and off-grid connections would ensure better lives for all Ethiopians; improving health and education outcomes; and supporting the creation of new businesses and jobs. Productive and sustainable use of Ethiopia’s abundance of clean energy, he said, would also allow the country to share energy with our neighbors. This would provide revenue for Ethiopia and also to help to bring light and power to millions of people in East Africa. British companies, he emphasized, were key partners for Ethiopia in this.
Engineer Azeb welcomed the level of interest from British companies and developers in Ethiopia’s energy sector. She said there were many challenges to universal access in Ethiopia, but she hoped that recent reforms to the market, including “new PPP provisions and incentives for innovative renewable energy companies” would help Ethiopia develop a world class grid that was 100% clean, reliable and allow millions more people to access power.
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