China and Ethiopia have agreed to strengthen cooperation across key sectors including infrastructure development, green industry, the digital economy and artificial intelligence, as Beijing deepens its strategic engagement with Africa’s fastest-growing economies.
The commitment followed talks in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, according to statements released by China’s Foreign Ministry and reported by Reuters. Wang is on his annual New Year diplomatic tour of Africa, a long-standing tradition that underscores the continent’s priority in China’s foreign policy.
During the meeting, Wang said China is prepared to better align its development strategies with Ethiopia’s national priorities to advance what both sides describe as an “all-weather strategic partnership.” He highlighted Ethiopia’s role as a regional anchor in the Horn of Africa and a key participant in China-backed development initiatives.
Infrastructure cooperation remains central to the relationship. China has been a major financier and builder of Ethiopia’s transport and industrial backbone over the past decade, including the Addis Ababa–Djibouti railway, industrial parks, highways and power projects. Chinese companies are also involved in Ethiopia’s telecommunications expansion and manufacturing zones, which have supported export-oriented growth.
Beyond traditional infrastructure, the talks placed growing emphasis on green development and the digital economy. Chinese officials said cooperation would expand into renewable energy, electric mobility, smart cities and digital connectivity, areas aligned with Ethiopia’s Climate-Resilient Green Economy strategy. Ethiopia is seeking investment to scale up clean energy generation, including hydro, solar and wind, as well as to green its industrial base.
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Artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies featured prominently in the discussions, reflecting Beijing’s push to position Chinese firms as long-term technology partners across Africa. Ethiopia has been investing in digital public infrastructure, data centres and skills development, and sees AI as a tool to improve public services, agriculture productivity and urban management.
Prime Minister Abiy reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to deepening ties with China, describing the partnership as critical to the country’s development agenda. Ethiopian officials have consistently pointed to China as their largest source of foreign direct investment and a key export destination.
China is Ethiopia’s biggest bilateral trading partner, with trade volumes running into billions of dollars annually, according to Chinese customs data. Addis Ababa is also a major beneficiary of financing under the Belt and Road Initiative, although both sides have recently stressed debt sustainability and project efficiency amid broader concerns over African debt levels.
Analysts say the renewed focus on technology, green industry and AI signals a shift in China–Africa relations from heavy construction toward higher-value sectors. It also reflects Ethiopia’s ambition to move up the value chain and reduce dependence on low-cost manufacturing.
Wang Yi’s Africa tour includes stops in several countries and comes at a time of intensifying global competition for influence on the continent, particularly in technology standards, digital infrastructure and clean energy supply chains.
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