October 17, 2025 — In an effort to strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation between Bangladesh and African nations, the first-ever “Africa–Bangladesh Trade Show and Business Summit 2025” is set to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from November 12–13, 2025. The event will be held at the De Leopol Hotel, one of the capital’s premier venues.
Organizers and Objective
The summit is being jointly organized by the Africa Bangladesh Business Forum (ABBF) and the Embassy of Bangladesh in Ethiopia. According to the organizers, the event aims to serve as a high-level platform for fostering greater engagement between policymakers, business leaders, and investors from both regions.
The primary objective of the summit is to connect Bangladeshi exporters, entrepreneurs, and investors with African businesses and industry stakeholders, thereby opening new trade and investment avenues. Sectors expected to benefit include ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, information technology, light engineering, and leather goods — all of which have strong export potential in African markets.
Summit Features
The two-day event will feature a business exhibition, investment forums, export agreement signings, and bilateral trade sessions designed to facilitate deeper cooperation. Attendees will include senior government officials, business executives, investors, and representatives of international organizations from both regions.
Participant Benefits
Organizers have confirmed that participants will receive visa facilitation and protocol support, along with opportunities for business networking and market exploration across Africa. The summit will also allow participants to establish new commercial partnerships and assess emerging investment opportunities.
Expanding Bilateral Trade Horizons
Industry experts have described the initiative as a strategic step toward expanding Bangladesh’s trade footprint in Africa. The summit is expected to contribute to export diversification, job creation, and foreign exchange growth for Bangladesh.
In turn, African countries are anticipated to gain access to high-quality and competitively priced Bangladeshi products, reinforcing mutual trade benefits.
Event Details
Date: November 12–13, 2025
Venue: De Leopol Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Statements from Organizers
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Zahirul Haq, President of the Africa Bangladesh Business Forum (ABBF), said:
“This summit marks a new chapter in the Bangladesh–Africa partnership. Our mission is to create a bridge between entrepreneurs from both regions, enabling them to explore and capitalize on emerging opportunities.”
A representative of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Ethiopia added:
“This event will open new markets for Bangladesh’s young entrepreneurs and exporters while further strengthening the economic cooperation between the two regions.”
Source: Africa–Bangladesh Business Forum (ABBF)
