Ethiopia seeks Türkiye's support for sea access during Erdogan visit

2026-02-17 - 20:12

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed disclosed Tuesday that he sought Turkish support for Addis Ababa's strategic pursuit of sea access during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit, describing the maritime issue as a key focus of their discussions. At a joint news conference, Abiy welcomed "strong and constructive discussions" on Ethiopia's longstanding priority to secure reliable maritime access since becoming landlocked following Eritrea's 1993 independence. Economic Partnership and Investment Goals Beyond the maritime question, leaders addressed expanding bilateral trade, with Ethiopian officials indicating both sides aim to increase commerce to at least $1 billion. Abiy encouraged greater Turkish investment in Ethiopia, which already hosts one of sub-Saharan Africa's largest concentrations of Turkish businesses, particularly in manufacturing and construction. The visit, marking the centennial of diplomatic relations established in 1926, included Türkiye's foreign and defense ministers, underscoring the relationship's strategic depth. Multilateral Cooperation and Regional Engagement Discussions also encompassed collaboration in international forums, including climate negotiations linked to COP31, scheduled for Türkiye next year followed by Ethiopia. Abiy described the meetings as "successful and fruitful," noting Ankara's recognition of Ethiopia's strategic importance in the Horn of Africa. Türkiye has progressively expanded diplomatic engagement in the region, positioning itself as a key partner in trade, development, and mediation efforts, with this high-level visit reinforcing Ankara's commitment to deepening ties with Addis Ababa.