Ethiopian ambassador calls for deeper cooperation with Israel — Jerusalem Post
In Israel, Ethiopia’s ambassador Tesfaye Yetay, in an op-ed for the Jerusalem Post, called for expanding bilateral cooperation in agriculture, water resource management, innovation, technology, healthcare, education and investment. The diplomat noted that September 11, when Ethiopia and Israel celebrate the New Year, could become a symbol of partnership, renewal and new opportunities for relations between the countries.
Contacts between the countries
Yetay recalled Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Ethiopia. According to him, during the trip Herzog held bilateral talks with Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and the sides discussed strengthening their long-standing relations and further interaction.
The diplomat also mentioned the fourth joint political consultations between Ethiopia and Israel, which took place on January 6, 2026, in Jerusalem. In his view, the meeting made it possible to assess progress in bilateral contacts and identify areas for further cooperation.
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Statements on Ethiopia’s development
In the op-ed, the ambassador also cited data on Ethiopia’s economic and infrastructure projects. He claims that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile provides more than 52% of domestic electricity supply, and that the country exports electricity to Djibouti, Kenya and Sudan. According to Yetay, electricity purchase agreements have also been concluded with South Sudan and Tanzania.
The ambassador reported plans to build three more dams on the Abbay River, as well as to complete by 2027 the 2,200-megawatt Koysha hydropower project on the Omo River. Among other initiatives, he named a proposed nuclear power plant, the construction of a new Ethiopian Airlines airport with an initial capacity of about 60 million passengers per year, commercial production of liquefied natural gas in the Somali Region, and gas power plant and urea production plant projects.
Yetay also stated that Ethiopia’s economy grew by 10.2%, coffee exports exceeded $3.5 billion, and gold exports amounted to about $5.5 billion. The author linked these figures and major infrastructure projects to the country’s intention to strengthen energy security, develop exports and attract investment.
