@EconomicGrowthEthiopia – Ethiopian Business Review

Addis Ababa is set to host a landmark event from May 15-17, 2025, as the 5th Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference (PATDC) and the Made-in-Pakistan Exhibition take center stage at Millennium Hall. This major event, organized by the Government of Pakistan, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), and the Embassy of Pakistan in Addis Ababa, promises to create a dynamic platform for strengthening economic and trade partnerships between Pakistan and East African nations.

Atif Sharif Mian, Ambassador of Pakistan to Ethiopia, emphasized the importance of this gathering for both Pakistan and East Africa. “With a population of 250 million, Pakistan represents a vast market for African exports, including commodities, agriculture, and goods. Ethiopia, strategically located, serves as the gateway to East Africa and beyond, including Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Western China,” he said. He further highlighted that improved air connectivity, such as Ethiopian Airlines’ flights to Karachi, and the planned shipping line to Djibouti, will enhance regional trade opportunities.

Dr. Jemal Beker, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, echoed these sentiments, pointing to the immense potential for collaboration. “We have already held forums in Pakistan to showcase Ethiopia’s investment opportunities. As the gap between parallel and official foreign exchange markets has narrowed, we see increasing interest from Pakistani investors in Ethiopia,” Dr. Beker noted. He stressed that the event would promote Ethiopia as a business-friendly hub, offering robust investment prospects.

The 5th PATDC will feature over 130 exhibitors from Pakistan, displaying a wide array of products in sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, engineering, food, agro-products, leather goods, and cosmetics. The exhibition aims to foster B2B interactions, with each Pakistani exhibitor set to engage in 9 to 10 meetings with African buyers, laying the groundwork for strong commercial partnerships.

The event will kick off on May 15, 2025, with a high-level conference that brings together government officials, business leaders, and diplomats from Pakistan and East Africa. Discussions will center on strategies for enhancing trade ties, addressing barriers to business, and advancing regional economic integration. The conference will offer a chance for African nations—including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia—to explore collaborative trade opportunities with Pakistani counterparts.

The exhibition will also offer ample networking opportunities for delegates and exhibitors, facilitating partnerships that could lead to long-term economic growth. To celebrate the strong cultural and commercial ties between the regions, a gala dinner and cultural night will be held, reinforcing the spirit of mutual cooperation.

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Aliko Dangote has set an ambitious target for his conglomerate, the Dangote Group, projecting total revenue of USD 30 billion by 2026, as reported by Nairametrics. Speaking at a venture capital conference in Lagos, Dangote revealed that the group’s revenue will rise by USD 5 billion from USD 25 billion in 2025, largely driven by the growth of its extensive holdings, including the monumental Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, which processes 650,000 barrels of oil per day.

Despite global trade tensions, including the U.S. imposing aggressive tariff policies, Dangote’s oil refinery has remained insulated, as oil and gas exports were excluded from tariff adjustments. Moreover, Dangote Fertilizer, which exports urea to the U.S., stands to gain significantly from a 16% tariff differential between Nigeria and Algeria, its key competitor. Dangote admitted that he had initially been concerned about the potential impact of U.S. tariffs, but the situation worked in his favor as Algeria faced a 30% tariff hike.

Dangote’s expansion doesn’t stop with oil and fertilizer. The billionaire magnate also laid out a bold plan to become Africa’s leading cement exporter by 2026, surpassing Egypt. With a current production capacity of 53 million tons of cement, Dangote Group is set to increase this to 62 million tons next year, solidifying its position as the continent’s cement industry leader.

As Dangote Group continues to evolve and expand, its trajectory not only demonstrates the entrepreneurial foresight of Aliko Dangote but also highlights the growing influence of African conglomerates on the global stage.

Dangote Group’s expansion into Ethiopia is transforming the nation’s industrial landscape. With a USD400 million investment. The group is also venturing into Ethiopia’s sugar industry, leveraging its experience from Nigeria’s 60,000-hectare plantation to enhance operations.

Ethiopia to Host the 5th Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference

Dangote Group Targets USD30 Billion in Revenue by 2026