AGP Executive Report

BRICS Summit Outcomes: The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi ended with a 140-point New Delhi Declaration, pushing resilient supply chains, logistics, startups, health cooperation, and a stronger Global South voice. PM Modi warned against the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals, while Xi unveiled a BRICS open-source AI ecosystem and plans for service trade and special economic zones. Ethiopia-India Link: Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed used the sidelines to stress digital public infrastructure, minerals, renewable energy, and manufacturing, aligning with the summit’s push for trade, tech and development. Ethiopia Logistics Push: Ethiopia is finalizing joint organizing committees to accelerate preparations for the FIATA 2027 World Congress, after venue and organizer audits. Red Sea Shipping Risk: Bab el-Mandeb traffic fell sharply as Houthi pressure increased, raising war-risk costs and likely freight impacts for Ethiopia’s Red Sea-linked trade. AI for Africa: An Addis Ababa workshop urged sovereign African foundation models tailored to local languages and priorities. Industry Pressure Point: A new analysis warns Africa’s textile advantage may erode by 2034 as robotics and 3D printing cut costs.

BRICS Summit—Ethiopia in the “Greater BRICS” push: China’s Xi Jinping used the New Delhi summit to call for “Greater BRICS” cooperation across AI, trade and supply-chain stability, including a proposed BRICS AI Open Source Zone and a BRICS service-trade forum. Local Currency & Payments: India’s MEA says there’s no plan for a BRICS common currency yet, but members are advancing local-currency settlement to cut transaction costs and improve cross-border trade. Trade/Industry Resilience: Egypt’s Sisi urged BRICS partners to diversify growth, invest in people and technology, and expand port and logistics links—highlighting the Suez Canal. Nuclear & Civilian Infrastructure Safety: BRICS adopted the New Delhi Declaration warning about attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards, and flagged growing nuclear risks. Ethiopia-India Business Link: On BRICS sidelines, PM Modi met Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed, with Ethiopia signaling interest in Indian mining companies and broader defence and semiconductor cooperation. U.S.-Ethiopia Trade Drive: U.S. Assistant Secretary Frank Garcia visited Ethiopia to boost commercial diplomacy, aviation fleet modernization, and cooperation on critical minerals and regional stability. Industrial Tech Spotlight: Rosatom showcased advanced 3D printing that could help countries produce complex industrial parts faster, relevant to faster local manufacturing.

BRICS Summit (New Delhi): Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed used the 18th BRICS meeting to push resilience, climate and economic transformation, pitching Ethiopia as both a grain producer and a partner for value creation across minerals, renewables, pharma and digital public infrastructure. Trade & payments: BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration, calling for de-escalation in West Asia, condemning terrorism, urging smooth cross-border trade and supply chains, and rejecting unilateral tariffs and EU-style carbon border taxes; the MEA also said there’s no BRICS currency plan yet, while local-currency trade discussions continue. Agriculture cooperation: BRICS agreed to set up farmer-centric AGRIN and continue work on a BRICS grain trading platform. Ethiopia logistics upgrade: ESL and the Ethio-Djibouti Railway rolled out integrated digital self-service portals for cargo booking, tracking, payments and documentation to cut delays and align with global benchmarks. FX auction update: NBE’s latest undersubscribed FX auction was attributed to temporary birr liquidity constraints at banks, not a structural drop in hard-currency demand. Public health & environment: Addis Ababa faces a black-carbon crisis alongside high PM2.5 levels, raising urgent respiratory and cardiovascular risks.

BRICS Summit 2026 (New Delhi): India’s Modi opened the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit as wars in Ukraine and West Asia strain energy, shipping and trade, with leaders including Xi, Putin, Pezeshkian, Ramaphosa and Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed. Ethiopia-India ties: Modi met Abiy on defence, capacity building, investment linkages, critical minerals, clean energy and healthcare, framing it as “old friendship into new frontiers.” Ethiopia-Malaysia diplomacy: Malaysia’s Anwar invited Ethiopia to open an embassy in Kuala Lumpur and agreed the first bilateral consultation will be held in 2027, with talks covering halal products, agriculture, food security, pharmaceuticals, digital services, renewable energy and tourism. China–Ethiopia aviation: Xiamen Airlines will launch its first direct China–Ethiopia service, weekly seasonal flights from Xiamen to Addis Ababa starting Nov 28. Livestock health (Kenya): African swine fever killed 1,470 pigs in Kiambu and spread to six counties, prompting stepped-up surveillance and cross-border risk controls.

BRICS Summit 2026 (New Delhi): Negotiators are still working late to lock the “Delhi Declaration,” with consensus reportedly close except for language tied to the Iran–UAE dispute, while BRICS leaders push a common stand against terrorism, UN and governance reform (including support for India’s UNSC bid), and a people-first agenda. India–Russia–Iran diplomacy: PM Modi met Putin and Pezeshkian on the sidelines, focusing on trade, energy, defence, cross-border payments, and regional stability, with Modi stressing freedom of navigation amid West Asia tensions. Payments and local currencies: Iran’s Pezeshkian urged BRICS to expand local-currency trade and strengthen settlement mechanisms, while business leaders discussed investment and connectivity. Ethiopia angle: Ethiopia is part of the bloc’s expanded membership and is highlighted in coverage around regional cooperation and energy ambitions (including GERD as a model for benefit-sharing). Power sector policy watch (US): A new US order and DOE review target foreign-produced bulk-power equipment, a reminder that energy supply chains face rising compliance pressure.

BRICS Summit in New Delhi: India’s 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit opens Sept. 12-13 under “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” with talks expected to cover global governance reform, counterterrorism, digital transformation, clean energy and regional crises as wars strain bloc unity. Iran-India ties at the table: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Delhi for the summit and is set for a bilateral with PM Modi, framing BRICS as a push against unilateralism and dollar dependence. Payments and trade push: India’s commerce minister Piyush Goyal urged BRICS members to link payment systems, expand local-currency trade, and make digital trade more accessible, while experts call for deeper banking links and faster cross-border rails. Food and energy resilience agenda: India is positioning BRICS around food and energy security and supply-chain stability amid Ukraine and West Asia shocks; Russia floated a BRICS grain exchange idea. Red Sea shipping risk: Reports say Houthis seized control of parts of the Bab el-Mandab Strait with Iranian guidance, raising fears of renewed disruption to a key global trade chokepoint. Ethiopia industry angle: Henan Mission Machinery plans an Oct. 14-25 delegation visit to Ethiopia to bid on a 10 TPH turnkey coffee bean cleaning and drying plant for OCFCU in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia in BRICS spotlight: Coverage notes Ethiopia as a BRICS member seeking stronger economic cooperation, alongside broader discussions on market access and investment links.

BRICS Summit Prep: India is set to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on Sept 12–13, with Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed among the attending leaders and a focus on food, energy and supply-chain security; India is also expected to push new initiatives like a BRICS incubator network, startup innovation fund and logistics supply-chain cooperation framework. Aviation Connectivity: Xiamen Airlines plans its first Africa route with a weekly seasonal Addis Ababa service starting Nov 28, boosting nonstop links between Addis and mainland China. Education & Skills: Ethiopia is moving to expand modern boarding secondary schools, aiming to raise standards across a system where only a tiny share of schools meet national benchmarks. Energy & Industry Context: Rwanda’s parliament heard concerns that hydropower shortages during dry seasons could undermine industrialisation plans—an issue Ethiopia’s power and water security debates echo. Security & Trade Risks: A weekly Africa File warns Somali pirate hijackings are sustaining higher risk in Red Sea shipping lanes, adding pressure to regional logistics.

Logistics & Trade Infrastructure: PM Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the first phase of the modern Mojo Logistics Center expansion, a 60-hectare hub with terminals and warehouses for up to one million 20-foot containers yearly, built on digital systems and supported by a rail-mounted gantry crane to speed container transfers—positioning Ethiopia for stronger regional integration under AfCFTA and the DESSU Corridor. Mining Safety: Reports say violence at an Ethiopia gold mine site has left several people dead and halted operations, raising renewed pressure on site security and safety enforcement. Urban Development: A German diplomat praised Addis Ababa’s rapid urban transformation, citing rehabilitated riverbanks, expanding corridors, public spaces and growing greenery as evidence of a coordinated master plan approach. BRICS & Payments: Ahead of the Sept 12–13 BRICS summit in New Delhi, coverage highlights India’s push for central bank digital currency links and local-currency trade settlement to reduce reliance on SWIFT—an agenda that includes Ethiopia as a BRICS member. Regional Energy Projects: Dangote-linked plans in East Africa include a proposed 1,000MW LNG power plant in Kenya tied to the Lamu refinery concept, underscoring how major industrial energy projects are reshaping supply and investment expectations across the Horn.

Ethiopia–EU Reform Support: The EU reaffirmed backing for Ethiopia’s economic modernization, pledging deeper cooperation in digital infrastructure, renewable energy, public health, climate action and green transition as reforms gain momentum. AIIB Infrastructure Talks: Finance Minister Ahmed Shide met AIIB President Zou Jiayi to expand cooperation on infrastructure, energy and climate-resilient development, including possible AIIB participation in projects like Bishoftu International Airport. BRICS Summit Push (Global South): As India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sept 12–13, Ethiopia is listed among the expanded members; the agenda centers on resilience in food, energy, health, disaster reduction and critical supply chains, with outreach to blocs including the AU. Trade Balance Pressure: Indian exporters say BRICS should deliver measurable commercial outcomes, noting India’s BRICS trade deficit has surged to about $226bn as imports outpace exports. Digital Public Infrastructure Mission: UNDP’s AA4DPI sent delegations including Ethiopia to study India’s digital identity and payments systems, with focus on agriculture, healthcare and social protection. Climate-Smart Farming: New research in central Ethiopia shows simple soil and water practices can lift wheat yields by over 27% while cutting soil loss by 76% in drought-prone areas. Cybersecurity Alert: Iran-linked Mirage Kitten targeted software engineers in Ethiopia with fake LinkedIn job offers that deliver remote access malware via “technical challenges.” El Niño Watch: WMO-linked reporting warns El Niño may bring wetter conditions in parts of East Africa (including southern Ethiopia), raising flood and erosion risks.

BRICS Summit Watch: Leaders are set for the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sept 12–13, with Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed among expected attendees as the bloc pushes a “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security” agenda. Nile Basin Diplomacy: A former US diplomat says Egypt must treat Nile negotiations as a 2026 reality, arguing a new approach could unlock a “win-win” deal with Ethiopia. Ethiopia Construction Reform: Ethiopia overhauls 1990s construction guidelines to curb chronic delays, aiming for tighter oversight and faster delivery. Housing Finance: An IFC-backed mortgage push is framed as solving Ethiopia’s long-term funding gap, but affordability remains the real test for households. FX & Remittances: Ethiopia’s remittance inflows are rising, yet analysts warn hawala and parallel markets persist because official exchange rates still don’t match what people can actually get. Mining Safety: Reports say an attack at an Ethiopia gold mine has halted operations after deaths. AI for Industry: Xiamen’s “Token Going Global” program says it already supplied 2.7 billion AI tokens to an Ethiopia cross-border e-commerce livestreaming business, signaling new digital services access. Energy & Transport: Ethiopia-linked regional trade logistics get a boost as Djibouti still handles most of Ethiopia’s seaborne cargo, while infrastructure funding continues to expand corridors.

BRICS & Trade Diplomacy: India is set to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit on Sept 12–13 in New Delhi, aiming to turn expanded BRICS cooperation into practical deals on trade, technology, energy, health and sustainability. Construction & Housing Finance: Ethiopia is overhauling 1990s construction guidelines to curb chronic delays, while an IFC-backed mortgage push is framed as a long-tenor funding fix—yet affordability remains the real test for households. Mining & Security: KEFI Gold and Copper says a violent security incident at the Tulu Kapi gold project in Oromia killed multiple people and has halted operations pending talks on safe resumption. Drones & Local Industry: Ethiopia is manufacturing drones at two factories and is believed to have a fleet in the thousands, after combat drones proved decisive in the 2020–2022 conflict. Water & Regional Cooperation: Ethiopia’s watershed restoration and afforestation under the Nile Basin CFA is being defended as beneficial to downstream Egypt and Sudan, with implementation said to proceed even without Egypt signing. Climate Tech & Public Health: NEC and UNDP signed an MoU to use AI and digital tools for conservation and climate action, while a new air-quality brief warns that over 20 African countries still miss WHO air pollution guidelines. Agribusiness Links: Uganda signed a coffee export deal with a South Korean firm, using Busan as a processing and re-export hub. Investment Outreach: Ethiopia’s president urged Qatari investors to expand into agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure and digital services during Dubai’s AIM Congress.

Livestock & Agrifood Finance: Ministers from Ethiopia and eight other African countries backed regional livestock value-chain deals at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026, aiming to unlock investment and expand trade. Public Spending Tools: FAO launched two Africa-focused instruments to help governments track and optimize agrifood budgets, pushing better planning and accountability. Water & Cost Sharing: A senior transboundary water expert said Egypt and Sudan should share Ethiopia’s watershed restoration and afforestation costs, arguing downstream benefits include less sediment and more stable flows. Mining Security Shock: KEFI Gold and Copper suspended work at Ethiopia’s Tulu Kapi gold project after a security incident on Sept 4 killed multiple people, with resumption pending talks on safety conditions. Public Health Prevention: A public health message stressed prevention and early detection for diseases like dengue, malaria, cholera, TB, diabetes and hypertension. Defense & Drones: Ethiopia’s domestic drone production is expanding, while PM Abiy highlighted resilience and self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Regional Tech & Trade Diplomacy: Ethiopia’s presence in BRICS-linked discussions continues as India prepares the Sept 12–13 summit, with themes including resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.

Clean Energy & Power Exports: Ethiopia’s President Taye Atske-Selassie told the AIM summit in Dubai that clean energy is central to industrial growth, targeting 13,000MW by 2030 and expanding electricity exports across the East African Power Pool and beyond. Telecom Growth to Monetize: Safaricom Ethiopia crossed 15 million customers, with data users and data revenue now driving the business model as the network expands beyond early rollout. Mining Safety Pause: Kefi Gold and Copper suspended development at its Tulu Kapi project after a serious security incident on Sept. 4 that killed people including a company employee, saying work resumes only after safe conditions are secured. COP32 Private Sector Push: Addis Ababa Chamber is setting up a Green Growth Centre to lead private sector engagement for COP32, aiming to move businesses from observers to active climate partners. Regional Logistics Pressure: Ethiopia’s cargo still heavily relies on Djibouti—96.71% handled in 2025/26—while Red Sea disruptions keep freight costs and corridor congestion high. AIM Investment Summit Spotlight: UAE’s AIM Investment Summit opened in Dubai under Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, drawing leaders and investors from 191 countries. BRICS Tech Cooperation: Coverage highlights BRICS-style South-South cooperation on AI, focusing on practical uses like healthcare and local adaptation. Ethiopian Aviation Cargo Expansion: Ethiopian Airlines is in talks to buy 8–10 Boeing 777 freighters to boost international freight capacity and strengthen Addis Ababa’s logistics role.

COP32 Private Sector Push: Addis Ababa Chamber of Sectoral Associations is setting up a Green Growth Centre to lead Ethiopian business engagement at COP32, aiming to move firms from passive attendance to active climate and economic planning. Telecom Growth: Safaricom Ethiopia crossed 15 million 90-day active subscribers, expanding to 60% population coverage with 4G-enabled, 5G-ready sites and edging toward breakeven. Agribusiness & Exports: Ethiopia reported livestock export earnings of $128.3m (up 35%+ year-on-year) and targets up to $1bn by boosting abattoir capacity and supply-chain coordination. Livestock Health Gaps: A study in West Shewa finds veterinary services under-equipped, diagnostics underused, and unregulated drug sales pushing farmers toward risky self-treatment. Water & Power Diplomacy: Ethiopia’s prosperity messaging ties renewable energy and minerals to regional influence, while Nile dispute coverage highlights China’s calibrated support for Egypt’s water-security stance. Regional Trade & Connectivity: Kenya and Somalia move to extend the Isiolo–Mandera corridor into Somalia via a joint technical committee. Industry Tech & Skills: Russian Neurosoft is in talks with Tanzanian universities to train clinicians and researchers on digital neuro-diagnostics like EEG/EMG/ECG. Security & Tech Misuse: Reporting from Nigeria describes insurgent AI capability building via satellite links, paid software, and jailbreaking training.

Livestock & Exports: Ethiopia’s livestock export earnings hit $128.3m in the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year, up 35%+, as officials push to raise abattoir capacity use from low levels toward higher export volumes and value-chain reliability. Agriculture & Transformation: Deputy PM Temesgen Tiruneh says Ethiopia’s Pagume “Day of Break Through” reflects faster economic transformation, stronger domestic production, and progress toward food sovereignty via improved seeds, cluster farming and modern tech. Sovereignty Push: PM Abiy frames Ethiopia’s reforms and wheat gains as a move from import dependence to self-reliance, highlighting Made in Ethiopia and Yelemat Trufat. Veterinary Services Gap: A study in West Shewa warns veterinary care is failing smallholders—clinics lack basic tools, diagnostics are underused, and unregulated drug sellers leave farmers stuck between empty services and risky self-treatment. Power Trade & Integration: A World Bank report says Ethiopian electricity exports helped cut Djibouti’s power costs and points to an Ethiopia–Kenya–Tanzania renewable corridor to unlock a wider regional electricity market. Digital Shift in Food Markets: Kircha, the shared meat-buying tradition, is moving online, showing how modernization is reshaping everyday commerce ahead of Enkutatash. Regional Connectivity: Kenya and Somalia plan to extend the Isiolo–Mandera corridor into Somalia through a joint technical committee, aiming to boost cross-border trade and fibre connectivity. AI Capability Building: IGAD says Ethiopia is building competitive AI capacity and is ready to share experience through a regional AI framework. Energy Systems Warning: Experts urge Africa to invest in efficient, digitalised grids as demand rises and losses remain high. Red Sea Shipping Risk: A Saudi-led maritime defense coalition is moving from plans to operations to protect Bab el-Mandeb routes—an issue that directly affects Ethiopia’s seaborne trade costs via Djibouti.

Higher Education Funding: Mastercard Foundation announced a US$500m injection into Africa’s higher education over the next decade, with its AHEFT Prize set to award US$3m to five institutions and scale recognition to at least 150 across Africa. Ethiopia’s Sovereignty Push: PM Abiy said Ethiopia’s transformation is building “true sovereignty” through wheat self-reliance and initiatives like Yelemat Trufat and Made in Ethiopia, alongside bold macro reforms. AI for Development: IGAD officials said Ethiopia’s AI capabilities are becoming globally competitive, with practical use cases in agriculture, healthcare, education and finance, and a push for a regional AI framework. Power Trade & Grids: Ethiopia’s power exports earned US$118.1m in 2024/25 and helped halve Djibouti’s costs; separate coverage warns Africa needs efficient, digitalised grids as demand surges and losses stay high. Housing Finance & Disputes: Ethiopia and IFC signed a framework to create a mortgage refinance company (100bn birr capital, at least US$200m IFC), while courts continue to freeze disputed Noah Real Estate homes amid buyer complaints. Transport & Rail Strain: Addis Ababa’s light rail is running below half capacity due to rolling-stock and foreign-currency constraints, leaving commuters waiting up to 45 minutes. Regional Trade Integration: AU welcomed Somalia’s AfCFTA ratification, and Ethiopia-focused reporting highlights Horn of Africa connectivity efforts like extending the Isiolo–Mandera corridor into Somalia.