Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meets with his Ethiopian counterpart Demeke Mekonnen in Addis Ababa on 27 July 2022. (Photo: Handout / RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY / AFP)
Having emerged from a devastating civil war that destroyed its once-vibrant economy and staring at a humanitarian catastrophe, Ethiopia is looking east in a bid to help the country revitalise its public finances.
This year, Ethiopia joined BRICS+ newcomers Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Argentina, alongside its originals – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – to help foster a partnership with stronger economies.
Russia played a prominent role in accepting Ethiopia as a fully fledged BRICS member, despite many hurdles. It appears that Moscow is hoping to play a leading role in Ethiopia – a nation of more than 120 million people – in a bid to replace the Western influence that has been the norm across the greater Horn of Africa region.