On June 17, 2025, Dr. Abdeta Dribssa, Executive Director of the Centre for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation (CDRC), participated in the Global South Economic Forum (GSEF) held in Abu Dhabi. During a high-level panel on “Integrating Markets through Trade, Investment and Connectivity,” Dr. Abdeta presented a compelling case for Ethiopia’s strategic role in advancing
South-South cooperation.
Dr. Abdeta emphasized Ethiopia’s emerging position as a regional and transcontinental economic hub, underscoring that the country’s integration into platforms such as BRICS signals more than symbolic inclusion—it marks a pivotal opportunity for Ethiopia to serve as an anchor in broader South-South cooperation frameworks. In his remarks, Dr. Abdeta highlighted three
key pillars essential for Ethiopia’s integration into the global South’s economic architecture:
Trade: He described Ethiopia as a growing but under-leveraged trade actor. While still heavily reliant on low-value commodity exports, the country holds the potential to diversify its trade portfolio through deeper engagement with BRICS partners. Strategic investments in standards, logistics, and industrial capacity would be critical to unlocking this potential.
Investment: Dr. Abdeta pointed to the increasing interest of South-South investors—particularly from China, Turkey, and the UAE—in Ethiopia’s economy. However, he emphasized that to attract stable and long-term foreign direct investment (FDI), Ethiopia must undertake key institutional reforms. He also underscored the significance of emerging development finance institutions such as the New Development Bank as vehicles to reduce dependency on Western financial structures.
Connectivity: Ethiopia’s geography—linking the Horn of Africa to the Middle East and the interior of the continent—offers it a natural advantage as a logistical and transport hub. Dr. Abdeta stressed that this potential can only be fully realized through a commitment to peacebuilding, regional integration, and infrastructure development. Beyond the economic dimensions, Dr. Abdeta brought attention to a critical and often overlooked issue: the absence of robust peace infrastructure within the Global South. “Without structured mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution, the foundations for sustainable development remain fragile,” he warned. He called for increased investment in inclusive governance, platforms for dialogue, and capable regional institutions to manage disputes—arguing that peace must be treated as a prerequisite, not a byproduct, of economic development.
In conclusion, Dr. Abdeta asserted that Ethiopia, despite facing internal challenges, can serve both as a test case and a model for deeper Global South cooperation. Success, however, will depend on the country’s commitment to political stability, far-reaching economic reforms, and active engagement in strategic regional partnerships.
