Come set up shop in KL, Anwar says to Ethiopia after decades apart

In a significant development, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended an invitation to Ethiopia to establish an Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, following decades of severed relations. This development comes after Malaysia reopened its embassy in Addis Ababa in September 2025, marking a milestone in bilateral ties between the two nations.

The invitation was made during the bilateral meeting between Anwar and his Ethiopian counterpart, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, held on the sidelines of the 18th Brics Leaders’ Summit. The meeting took place in New Delhi, India, on September 12.

The reopening of the Malaysian Embassy in Addis Ababa after a gap of 43 years signifies a substantial stride in the bilateral relations between Malaysia and Ethiopia. The conversation between the two leaders also emphasized the positive impact resulting from the reciprocal visits made by both leaders.

The Prime Minister further revealed that it has been mutually agreed upon that the first Bilateral Consultation will occur in Kuala Lumpur next year, aimed at further fortifying the cooperation between the two countries. Other areas of collaboration under discussion included halal products, agriculture, food security, pharmaceuticals, digital services, renewable energy, and tourism.

Anwar also expressed gratitude for Ethiopia's assistance in Malaysia's engagement with Brics during the bilateral meeting. Malaysia's attendance at the Summit is in its capacity as a Brics Partner Country, a status it has maintained since January 1, 2025.

Ethiopia, the world's most populous landlocked country, holds the position of Malaysia's 26th-largest trading partner in Africa in 2023. The bilateral trade between Malaysia and Ethiopia amounted to RM446.8 million in 2023, with Malaysia's exports to Ethiopia valued at RM358.6 million, marking a 24.6 per cent rise from the previous year.