Canada-Ethiopia relations

On this page

• Bilateral relations
• Trade relations
• International assistance
• Partnerships and organizations

Bilateral relations

Canada established diplomatic relations with Ethiopia in 1965. In Ethiopia, Canada maintains an embassy in Addis Ababa, which is concurrently accredited to Djibouti and represents Canada to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Since 2024, the Embassy of Canada to Ethiopia is also responsible for Canadian representation in Sudan.  In Canada, Ethiopia is represented by an embassy in Ottawa. Canada’s relations with the African Union are the responsibility of Canada’s Permanent Observer Mission to the African Union.

Canada maintains a relationship with Ethiopia based on an open political dialogue focused on:

• sustainable development;
• advancing peace and security;
• trade and investment;
• the promotion and protection of democracy and human rights.

On March 5, 2025, Global Affairs Canada launched Canada’s Africa Strategy: A Partnership for Shared Prosperity and Security to provide greater opportunities to deepen relations and strengthen cooperation with Ethiopia.

Trade relations

Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Ethiopia totaled $102 million in 2024. This consisted of $38 million in exports (mainly aircraft parts and data processing machines) to Ethiopia and $64 million in imports (mainly coffee) from Ethiopia.

In 2024, Canadian direct investment in Ethiopia was $22 million.

Canadian companies' presence is mainly linked to aerospace, energy infrastructure, information and communication technology (ICT), agriculture and education.

From Addis Ababa, the Trade Commissioner Service supports Canadian companies interested in doing business in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan.

Related links

• Import / Export controls
• Doing business in Ethiopia

International assistance

Ethiopia is one of the top recipients of Canada’s international assistance ($265.1 million in 2024‑25). This includes development, humanitarian and peace and stabilization assistance from Global Affairs Canada as well as funding from other federal departments.

Canada’s bilateral development program in Ethiopia focuses on four priority sectors:

Economic Growth: to reduce poverty and food insecurity, while fostering sustainable livelihoods. Investments also target agricultural value chains (coffee, teff, legumes) and financial inclusion.

Health: Canada remains a longstanding partner in Ethiopia’s health sector, strengthening maternal and child health, expanding access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services, combatting infectious diseases, and reinforcing health systems.

Peace and Security: Recognizing peace as the foundation for sustainable development and economic growth, Canada funds a Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) initiative (2024–2027), supporting the consolidation of the fragile peace in Tigray and encouraging combatants to lay down their arms elsewhere in the country.

Gender Equality: Canada prioritizes empowering women and girls by supporting the sustainability of local women’s rights organizations, fostering networks, and advocating for their vital role in social transformation.

Assistance is delivered through a range of partners including Canadian and international civil society organizations as well as multilateral organizations.

Canada allocates funding for humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia in response to international appeals. This funding is provided to UN agencies, the Red Cross, and non-governmental organizations to assist people affected by crises, including conflict, insecurity, and natural disasters. Canada’s support helps to provide food, treatment for acute malnutrition and other critical healthcare, access to clean water and sanitation, emergency shelter and basic household items, and protection services to those in need.

For more information on Canadian international assistance, please see the Project Browser.

Peace and Stabilization

Canada is committed to supporting Ethiopia on its path towards sustainable, inclusive economic development and ensuring peace and security for its population based on international law.  Full implementation of the permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and its observance by all is critical for peace, reconciliation and prosperity. Canada continues to underscore the need to find peaceful solutions to internal conflicts in Ethiopia and encourages all parties to pursue peaceful resolution through dialogue to ensure the resumption of stability for local communities.

Since 2021, the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program has supported peacebuilding programming in response to the Tigray conflict and its aftermath. Peace and stabilization programming includes conflict-sensitivity, conflict resolution, inclusive dialogue and victim-centered transitional justice processes.  The meaningful engagement of women in the peacebuilding process is a key cross-cutting programming consideration.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Ethiopia work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• United Nations (UN)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)