@TradeOpportunities – 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.

Ethiopian Airlines has officially launched a new cargo charter route connecting Macao and Madrid, further cementing its position as Africa’s leading freight carrier. The inaugural flight, operated by a Boeing 777 freighter (ET3483), took off from Macao International Airport on Thursday morning, marking a strategic expansion into East Asia-Europe trade lanes.

The new route, initially operating twice weekly, is expected to handle over 20,000 tons of cross-border cargo annually, significantly enhancing trade flows between China’s Greater Bay Area, Europe, and South America. Key exports include high-demand e-commerce goods such as electronics, auto parts, apparel, cosmetics, toys, and small appliances.

This launch follows Ethiopian Airlines’ successful cargo operations in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong, reinforcing its role as a critical logistics bridge between Asia, Africa, and beyond. Aman Wole Gurmu, Ethiopian Airlines’ Country Director for China, emphasized the route’s potential to deepen collaboration with e-commerce supply chains in the Greater Bay Area, a major manufacturing and trade hub.

A representative from Macao International Airport welcomed the partnership, stating that the new route will “unlock greater trade and economic opportunities” between Macao, Europe, and emerging markets. The move aligns with Ethiopian Airlines’ broader strategy to capitalize on booming global e-commerce demand while enhancing Africa’s connectivity to key global markets.

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

Ethiopian Airlines Expands Global Cargo Network with New Macao-Madrid Route