US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia travelled to Ethiopia from 2 to 6 September to advance US commercial diplomacy, strengthen security cooperation and promote regional stability.
During his visit to Addis Ababa, Garcia met Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos to discuss de-escalating conflicts in the Horn of Africa, African efforts to implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and support for regional peace initiatives.
Garcia also toured the construction site of the future Bishoftu International Airport with Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew Bekele. Their discussions covered fleet modernisation involving US aircraft, as well as related American aviation products and services.
The Assistant Secretary met African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf to discuss shared priorities, including peace and expanded commercial cooperation in Africa. He also held talks with Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Pekka Haavisto on efforts to secure a humanitarian truce, improve humanitarian access and support a return to peace in Sudan.
In Oromia Region, Garcia met regional President Shimelis Abdisa and visited agricultural operations to examine opportunities for US agricultural inputs, including advanced seed technology and American machinery.
In Shashemene, he met Mayor Adane Tekle Giyorgis during a visit to a local partner of US agricultural machinery manufacturer John Deere. The visit focused on demand for American agricultural technology and employment associated with US investment.
Garcia also met the American Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia to discuss opportunities for US companies to expand commercial cooperation in high-growth sectors, including civil aviation and critical minerals.
The Assistant Secretary said economic growth and security were closely linked and expressed support for a strong US commercial role in the development of Bishoftu International Airport. The US Development Finance Corporation aims to deploy a sizeable investment to support lending to small and medium enterprises associated with the airport and surrounding area.
According to the statement, the investment is intended to promote economic activity around the airport, support job creation in Ethiopia and the United States and contribute to the development of non-stop air links between the two countries.
