Turkey's President Makes Historic Return to Ethiopia After Decade-Long Absence

2026-02-17 region

Addis Ababa, 17 February 2026
President Erdoğan’s arrival in Addis Ababa today marks his first Ethiopian visit in over ten years, coinciding with the centenary of formal diplomatic relations between the two nations. This strategic engagement highlights Turkey’s expanding influence in the Horn of Africa, with cooperation agreements expected in trade, defence, and infrastructure sectors. The visit underscores Turkey’s successful mediation role in regional disputes, including the recent Ethiopia-Somalia agreement resolved through the Ankara declaration.

Strategic Partnership Spanning Centuries

The diplomatic relationship between Turkey and Ethiopia extends far beyond the formal century being celebrated today [1][5]. Relations between the two nations date back to the 16th century [1], creating a foundation of historical familiarity that has facilitated modern cooperation. President Erdoğan departed from Istanbul this morning to participate in discussions and sign agreements with Ethiopian officials [6], with energy, investment and defence industry issues expected to feature prominently in the discussions [3]. The visit comes at the invitation of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed [1][3][5], demonstrating the mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

Economic and Infrastructure Focus

Turkey’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Berk Baran, emphasised that ‘Turkey and Ethiopia already enjoy a strategic relationship in various aspects, including political, economic and social relations’ [1][5]. The countries are expected to sign agreements and documents whose negotiations have been completed in the areas of trade, defence and infrastructure [3]. Turkey and Ethiopia have previously signed several agreements regarding economic cooperation and infrastructure projects such as roads, airports, and ports [6]. This expanded cooperation comes as Turkey seeks to strengthen its presence in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa, as reported by Pulse of Africa in October 2025 [1].

Regional Mediation Success

Turkey’s diplomatic influence in the Horn of Africa has been particularly evident in conflict resolution efforts. Ibrahim Mulushewa, a researcher and head of a think-tank based in Addis Ababa, noted that Turkey succeeded in mediating the Ethiopia-Somalia dispute, which was resolved through the historic Ankara declaration [1][5]. This success stems from what Mulushewa describes as ‘similarities of geographical context and statehood history’ between Turkey and Ethiopia [1]. The mediation role was further demonstrated on 11 December 2024, when President Erdoğan held a joint press conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara [5].

People-to-People Connections

Beyond formal diplomacy, the Turkey-Ethiopia partnership is sustained by significant societal connections [1][5]. Independent researcher Emre Yasin Kekec observed that ‘mostly talks revolve around political diplomacy, while the real bridge is people-to-people relations’ [1][5]. Abdulaziz Dino, a lecturer at Addis Ababa University, highlighted how ‘Turkish TV shows, students like myself who studied in Turkey, and cultural resonance have made the country positively portrayed across the country’ [1]. This cultural diplomacy has been largely overlooked despite its significant impact on public perceptions in Ethiopia [5]. The visit is expected to include the signing of agreements and President Erdoğan will participate in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Ahmed [6].

Bronnen

Ethiopian politics diplomatic relations