Nigeria and Ethiopia had related even before Nigeria’s independence in 1960. The country opened an embassy in Lagos in 1961, before it was later transferred to Abuja. Africa’s two most populous countries with a combined population of over 200 million are both multi-ethnic and multi-religious, with federal democracies. The Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, Samia Zekaria Gutu, in this interview, says her priority is to boost bilateral trade between both countries.
Daily Trust: Nigeria and Ethiopia have long-standing diplomatic relations, five decades after, how would you assess cooperation between both countries?
Amb. Samia Zekaria Gutu: The relationship is still vibrant. We have a very long standing relationship of over 50 years. Both Nigeria and Ethiopia are important partners in Africa, working together on bilateral and multi-lateral issues regionally and internationally. During the years, we never had any problem in our relationship. We consider Nigeria as our strategic partner. When it comes to foreign policy, we work with all countries of the world for mutual benefit. Along with Nigeria, Ethiopia has been participating in peace keeping missions. At the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) level, we really work hard to bring peace and stability to the region, especially in Somalia and South Sudan.
Daily Trust: How do you rate bilateral relations between both countries?
Amb. Gutu: Politically, we have very good relationship. Even when we had problems with our immediate neighbour, Eritrea, Nigeria played a key role in bringing peace. That is what we want to maintain. During Emperor Haile Silase’s regime, many Nigerian military officers came to Ethiopia and were trained at the Harar Military Academy. Nigerian Teachers have also supported our universities.
Daily Trust: Is there any area of the relations do feel needs to improve?
Amb. Gutu: The excellent relations which we have established at leadership level have to deepen at people-to-people level. Nowadays, diplomacy is not only political, it also entails trade, that is, economic diplomacy. This is the area we really need to work on. When we talk of economic relations, we talk of investment. So, we need to attract foreign direct investment and we would like to have more Nigerian investors in Ethiopia, in addition to the existing ones. I would like to encourage Nigerian investors to explore investment opportunities in Ethiopia, as a peaceful and business-friendly country.
Daily Trust: What is the volume of bilateral trade between Nigeria and Ethiopia?
Amb. Gutu: Trade among African countries is very weak. When it comes to immediate neighbours, it’s fine but when it comes to Nigeria, even though we have direct flights to four destinations in Nigeria, the trade volume is very weak. We really need to work hard in that area. The trade volume is less than one percent, compared to others.
Daily Trust: Africa has the lowest volume of intra-continental trading in the world with its members posting just 12% of trading. How do you think intra-Africa trade can get a boost?
Amb. Gutu: Our founding fathers tried to build economic relations by establishing blocs like IGAD and ECOWAS. When we talk about the big region, trade among Africans is very weak, but within sub-regions, things are moving fine. Ethiopia is trying to work with Kenya, Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan, by improving infrastructure. If you have good infrastructure, trade will improve. Now, we have a rail line between Djibouti and Ethiopia. That presents a good business opportunity between the two countries. We also export power to neighbouring countries including Kenya and Djibouti and by the time we finish building the Grand Renaissance Dam, we are going to export to more countries. That also brings us closer and strengthens integration. I think we need infrastructure. Also in West Africa, infrastructure is very important – roads, air transportation and rail. Once all these are in place, intra-Africa trade will improve. The government of each country should work more on providing infrastructure.
Daily Trust: The Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Ethiopia has resulted in regular flights from Addis Ababa to four major cities in Nigeria. How is Ethiopian Airline faring amidst the current economic realities?
Amb. Gutu: So far, there is no intention to reduce the frequency. We are still flying to those four areas. But the challenges are still there. This currency exchange issue is very problematic and Ethiopian Airline is a profit-making company. We know this challenge is temporal, that’s why we don’t want to suspend our flights. As Africans, we are sharing the challenges with you. We have been together for the whole of 50 years. We are committed to working with the Nigerian public to provide them the service they need. It is really not easy to cut down the flights just like that. While we are hoping that the economic situation will improve, we will continue to exhibit our Pan-Africanism.
Daily Trust: Ethiopia is known for tourism. Is Nigeria’s current economic condition affecting the number of Nigerians travelling to Ethiopia for tourism?
Amb. Gutu: I don’t think we have many Nigerian tourists in the first place because we didn’t really work on it. We didn’t promote it well. Now, we will work hard because people are still travelling. It is increasing despite recession. Nigeria is a big country with people who can afford to travel. We have very good tourist attractions, ten of them are registered with UNESCO. We have different historical, cultural, religious sites. In general, the tourism industry is growing in the country but we need to work more to promote it in Africa. Since many Nigerians take Ethiopian Airline to other countries via Addis Ababa, is a matter of stopping by for two or three days to visit the tourist sites if we could work on it.
Daily Trust: Having been in Nigeria for some time, what is your impression about Nigerians?
Amb. Gutu: Nigerians are nice people, welcoming. I just feel at home. I didn’t have any idea about Nigerians before now but when I came here, I found people so humble and welcoming. I’m happy working here. I don’t have problem with Nigerians, I found them to be friendly.
Daily Trust: How would you like to be remembered at the end of your tour of duty in Nigeria?
Amb. Gutu: I would like to work hard to improve the economic diplomacy by trying to bring some Nigerian investors to Ethiopia, improve trade relations and promote tourism. There are so many Nigerians who can afford to invest there. Even though I’m working on those areas, the time is not good for me but I am still hoping to achieve some of it in due course. I also work hard to deepen the people-to-people relationship. I know there are Nigerians who married Ethiopians and vice versa. As a diplomat, these are the areas we need to strengthen our relations.
