Turkish President Erdoğan arrives in Ethiopia for official visit

2026-02-17 - 15:32

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrived in Ethiopia's capital Tuesday for an official visit, receiving a warm welcome from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other senior officials at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The Turkish delegation's arrival marks another milestone in the growing relationship between Ankara and Addis Ababa, with both sides emphasizing the strategic importance of their deepening partnership. Warm Welcome and Symbolic Hospitality Prime Minister Abiy expressed his "greatest pleasure" welcoming Erdoğan to Ethiopia, which he described as "the Land of Origins." In a social media post, Abiy highlighted that the exchange of visits underscores the "strength of the deep partnership" between Türkiye and Ethiopia. He emphasized his anticipation for "productive discussions that will further deepen cooperation and strengthen the enduring bonds between our two ancient nations." The Ethiopian leader extended warm hospitality, noting Erdoğan would "never feel like a stranger but a dear friend" and suggesting they could share coffee "first discovered in these lands" while developing tangible partnership opportunities. Strengthening Bilateral Relations The visit provides opportunity for high-level discussions on enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors, building on existing ties between the two countries. Türkiye and Ethiopia have cultivated increasingly robust relations in recent years, with this direct engagement expected to yield concrete outcomes. The official visit reflects Ankara's broader strategy of deepening engagement with African nations, recognizing the continent's growing geopolitical and economic significance.