Ambassador of Ireland to Ethiopia

Dia dhaoibh go léir agus fáilte roimh Ambasáid na hÉireann.

Welcome to the website of the Embassy of Ireland in Ethiopia. I am delighted to represent Ireland here in Ethiopia. We are marking the 30th anniversary of the opening of Ireland’s Embassy in Addis Ababa. Since 1994, our bilateral relationship has matured to cover a broad range of political, development cooperation, cultural and trade relations and our Embassy has grown to be our largest on the African continent.

Ethiopia is a crucial partner for Ireland and vital for the indispensable relationship between the European Union and the Governments and people of the African continent. I am committed to growing our bilateral diplomatic, economic, development and people to people connections, and to supporting the deepening of the European Union’s longstanding engagement in Ethiopia and across the Horn of Africa.

Since its opening in 1994, the Irish Embassy has been a conduit for support to Ethiopia's growth and poverty reduction plans, helping the poor to benefit from, and contribute to, equitable economic, social and environmental development. Over the past 5 years alone we have invested over €200 million in supporting Ethiopia’s development and growth.

Ethiopia’s development offers huge potential for job creation, for food production, for industrial development and for national prosperity. Supporting Ethiopia to achieve that is our ambition for the next 30 years. We will work closely with the Government, UN and NGOs on gender equality, governance and human rights, peace and security, and on addressing and reducing humanitarian need. We will maintain our particular priority focus on advancing the rights of women and girls, recognising that they are often left behind in the development process.

Ethiopia is one of Africa's fastest growing economies. Its young vibrant population is creating economic opportunities for both countries. The Embassy is committed to supporting Irish businesses operating in Ethiopia and assisting new businesses to navigate the market for the first time.

The Embassy represents Ireland in the region through its accreditations to South Sudan and Djibouti, and to the African Union, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, representing the important position and role of Addis Ababa as the political capital of a more interconnected Africa.

I am committed to promoting strong relations and fostering mutual understanding between Ireland and these countries and supporting the work of African Union as the principal intergovernmental organisation on the continent focused on conflict prevention and resolution, peacekeeping and governance. This regional engagement provides the Embassy with a unique platform to work together to advance our shared values and interests in promoting peace and security, regional integration, economic growth and sustainable development.

For those planning on visiting Ethiopia we recommend registering your details with the Embassy and checking our travel advice section before you travel. We welcome feedback on our website and on the services we provide – please contact us with any comments or queries and please stay in touch via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Olivia Leslie, Ambassador, Embassy of Ireland