The Africa Bangladesh Trade Show & Business Summit 2025 successfully concluded in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marking a significant milestone in advancing bilateral trade, investment, and long-term economic cooperation between Bangladesh and the African continent.
The three-day event, held from 12–14 November 2025, brought together senior government officials, business leaders, investors, and industry stakeholders from multiple African countries and Bangladesh.
Co-organised by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Ethiopia and the Africa Bangladesh Business Forum (ABBF), the summit served as a high-level platform to strengthen commercial ties and expand market access across key sectors such as ICT, pharmaceuticals, plastics, jute, textiles, and chemicals.
Cultural Diplomacy and Bilateral Engagements
The summit opened with a series of diplomatic and cultural engagements aimed at deepening goodwill and mutual understanding. The Bangladeshi delegation visited key Ethiopian landmarks, including Meskel Square, Adwa Museum, Friendship Park, and Entoto Park. The day concluded with a reception dinner at the Bangladesh House, hosted by the ambassador of Bangladesh to Ethiopia, which set a warm and collaborative tone for the days ahead.
Summit and Trade Show Highlights
The main event took place on 13 November at the De Leopol International Hotel under the theme: “Your Gateway to Africa – Connect, Trade, Grow.”
A major highlight of the summit was the official launch of Kingmansa.com, the first-ever B2B marketplace dedicated to connecting African and Bangladeshi businesses. The platform is designed to streamline cross-border trade and solve key challenges in payments, logistics, and supply chain coordination, representing a breakthrough in digital trade infrastructure between the two regions.
The trade exhibition featured 40 Bangladeshi companies and attracted nearly 1,000 visitors, showcasing innovative products and services to African buyers and investors.
Key Dignitaries and Remarks
Distinguished speakers shared insights on strengthening Africa–Bangladesh economic collaboration.
Yidenekachew Worku, state minister of trade and regional cooperation, highlighted Ethiopia’s reform-driven business environment and invited Bangladeshi investors to seize emerging opportunities.
Ambassador Dewano Keder, director general for Middle East, Asia, and Pacific Affairs, emphasised Ethiopia’s position as the gateway to Africa’s fast-growing markets.
Air Vice Marshal Sitwat Nayeem, ambassador of Bangladesh to Ethiopia, stressed the summit’s strategic role in deepening commercial ties and identifying new areas of cooperation.
Zahirul Haq, president of ABBF, outlined ABBF’s vision to strengthen long-term partnerships through policy dialogue, trade facilitation, and business networking.
Brigadier General G M Shariful Islam, defence attaché of Bangladesh to Ethiopia, delivered an overview presentation on Bangladesh’s economy and investment opportunities, followed by a presentation from the CEO of the Ethiopian Investment Commission.
Industrial Visits and Economic Outlook
On 14 November, delegates visited the Kilinto Special Economic Zone and Gada Special Economic Zone to explore Ethiopia’s industrial ecosystem, export infrastructure, and investment prospects. Additional visits to Bishoftu and Kuriftu Water Park showcased the nation’s tourism, development, and regional growth potential.
A New Milestone for Africa–Bangladesh Economic Cooperation
The Africa Bangladesh Trade Show and Business Summit 2025 demonstrated strong momentum toward building robust, mutually beneficial economic partnerships between Bangladesh and Africa. Participants expressed confidence that this initiative will unlock new frontiers in trade, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and sustainable industrial development.