BRICS, AfCFTA, and Ethiopia: Reimagining Trade and Investment in Africa
Written by Dr. Tigist D. Gebrehiwot at Ethio Alliance Advocates LLP
BRICS and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
The expansion of BRICS, now including Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, the UAE, and others, marks a pivotal shift in global economic alliances. Simultaneously, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is uniting 55 African nations into a single market of 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP exceeding $3.4 trillion.
Rather than competing, BRICS and AfCFTA are complementary frameworks. BRICS offers Africa a platform for multipolar engagement, while AfCFTA fosters intra-African trade, industrialisation, and regional integration. Together, they signal a new era of South–South cooperation, sovereignty, and economic assertiveness.
Ethiopia’s Role in the BRICS-AfCFTA Nexus
Ethiopia’s inclusion in BRICS is both symbolic and strategic. With a population of over 130 million, a growing manufacturing base, and transformative infrastructure projects like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Ethiopia is positioning itself as a gateway between East Africa and global markets.
Recent developments include:
- AfCFTA integration
Ethiopia has begun exporting agricultural products, meat, fruit, and more to Somalia, Kenya, and South Africa under AfCFTA protocols.
- BRICS-backed infrastructure
Investments in industrial parks (e.g., Hawassa, Dire Dawa) and logistics corridors (e.g., Djibouti route) are enhancing Ethiopia’s connectivity and trade capacity.
Investment and Business Opportunities in Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s dual engagement with BRICS and AfCFTA unlocks diverse opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs:
1. Agro-Processing and Agribusiness
- Ethiopia’s fertile land and export-oriented agriculture make it ideal for value-added processing.
- BRICS, partners can support technology transfer and market access for processed goods.
2. Manufacturing and Industrial Parks
- Government-backed industrial zones offer tax incentives and streamlined logistics.
- BRICS, countries, especially China and India, are active investors in textiles, leather, and light manufacturing.
3. Renewable Energy and Infrastructure
- Ethiopia’s hydropower potential and green energy ambitions align with BRICS, goals for a just energy transition.
- Opportunities exist in solar, wind, and grid expansion projects.
4. Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare
- BRICS collaboration can help localise pharmaceutical production and improve healthcare access.
- Ethiopia’s growing urban population and health reforms create demand for medical innovation.
5. Digital Economy and Fintech
- Ethiopia’s digital transformation agenda, including mobile money and e-commerce, is ripe for BRICS tech partnerships.
- Regulatory reforms and youth-driven innovation are accelerating growth in this sector.
Ethiopia’s strategic alignment with BRICS and AfCFTA is more than economic—it’s also a reimagining of Africa’s global influence. By prioritising value addition, regional integration, and multipolar partnerships, Ethiopia is helping shape a future where African solutions drive global development.
Diaspora Investment and Global Partnerships
Toward a Sovereign and Prosperous Africa
Ethiopia’s accession to BRICS and its active role in the AfCFTA signal a bold shift in global economic alignment. For diaspora communities and international partners, this is a call to action: Ethiopia is opening new doors for sustainable investment, legal innovation, and regional leadership.
Why This Matters to the Diaspora
- Multipolar Access
BRICS+ offers Ethiopia alternative financing, infrastructure partnerships, and South–South cooperation beyond traditional Western channels.
- Regional Integration
AfCFTA creates a unified African market of 1.4 billion people—Ethiopia is already exporting under its protocols.
- Legal Reform Momentum
Ethiopia is updating its investment, data protection, and trade laws to align with global standards, creating fertile ground for diaspora-led ventures.
Investment Opportunities for Diaspora Entrepreneurs
| Sector | Opportunity | Diaspora Edge |
| Agro-processing | Value-added exports to Africa and BRICS+ | Cultural knowledge, global networks |
| Manufacturing | Industrial Park incentives, logistics corridors | Access to capital, tech transfer |
| Renewable Energy | Hydropower, solar, wind | Sustainability expertise, green finance |
| Fintech & Digital | Mobile money, e-commerce | Innovation hubs, youth engagement |
| Healthcare & Pharma | Local production, BRICS collaboration |
Ethio Alliance Advocates LLP: Your Reliable Law Firm Friends
We support diaspora investors and global collaborators with:
- Strategic legal advisory for AfCFTA and BRICS compliance
- Contract drafting and clause banks for cross-border deals
- Stakeholder engagement and policy advocacy
- Diaspora investment facilitation and partnership building
Contact Us
Whether you’re a diaspora entrepreneur, investor, academic, or policymaker, this is your moment to shape Ethiopia’s future. Contact Ethio Alliance Advocates LLP to turn global frameworks into local impact.
Ethio Alliance Advocates LLP
Legacy Luxury Apartment, 1st Floor, Bole Wolosefer
Ethio-China Street
Addis Ababa, P.O. Box 15973, Ethiopia
T: +251(0) 116 139 494 | M: +251(0) 941002571
E: tigist.d@ethioalliancelaw.com | W: https://ethioalliancelaw.com
This guest blog is written by Dr. Tigist Gebrehiwot at Ethio Alliance Advocates LLP.
