Ethiopia-UAE Trade Deficit Hits $3.2 Billion Over Five Years

Ethiopia recorded a $3.2 billion merchandise trade deficit with the United Arab Emirates between 2021 and 2025, according to the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration. Total bilateral trade reached $5.6 billion, with imports from the UAE accounting for $4.4 billion compared to just $1.2 billion in exports. Petroleum and urea fertilizer were the primary imports, while coffee, sesame, and meat products were the leading exports. For every dollar earned from exports to the UAE, Ethiopia spent roughly $3.67 on imports.

The figures were disclosed during an Ethiopia–UAE Business and Investment Forum in Addis Ababa, which coincided with a visit from a Sharjah business delegation. Ethiopian officials urged the delegates to move beyond import-export activities and invest in local manufacturing, such as agro-processing, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, to support job creation and industrial growth. While the government is pursuing macroeconomic reforms to boost exports, no new binding investment commitments were announced at the forum.