Africa. Malaysia has joined the list of countries seeking to strengthen partnerships with Africa, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim paid an official visit to Addis Ababa, where he announced the launch of a new phase of Malaysia–Africa cooperation.
The visit carried political, economic, social, and religious significance, featuring the signing of seven cooperation agreements with Ethiopia, discussions with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Taye Atske Selassie, and the organization of a Malaysia–Africa youth forum alongside meetings with leaders of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
Throughout his engagements, Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the importance of relations with Ethiopian Muslims, recalling the first and second migrations to Abyssinia and the role of King Najashi in welcoming the Prophet’s companions. He also referenced historical figures such as Bilal al-Habashi and Umm Ayman, underscoring the deep-rooted ties between the Muslims of Abyssinia and Malaysia.
He also used the occasion to outline his vision for renewed Africa–Malaysia relations, addressing from Addis Ababa the situations in Sudan and Palestine, calling for an end to the war in Sudan and the cessation of aggression against the Palestinian people.
A Historic Visit to the African Union
The highlight of the trip was Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to the African Union headquarters, making him the first Malaysian Prime Minister to visit the continental body.
He received an official welcome and toured the premises before holding talks with African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssef. The discussions focused on enhancing AU–Malaysia partnership and expanding Asia–Africa cooperation.
Youssef described the visit as historic, noting that it comes at a time when Africa is seeking to expand partnerships with other continents, and that Malaysia represents one of Africa’s key gateways to Asia.
Trade, Education, and Capacity Building
The AU Chairperson highlighted that trade between Africa and Malaysia exceeded $7.5 billion last year, including over $600 million in Malaysian palm oil exports to Africa.
He also praised Malaysia’s role in hosting African students, noting that more than 40,000 Africans have studied at Malaysian universities over the past decade.
Youssef added that Malaysia’s upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN next year would mark a major milestone in Africa–Asia cooperation, fostering institutional dialogue, deeper investment, and stronger collaboration.
He further pointed out that Malaysia’s application to join the BRICS bloc would advance the shared call for a fairer global economic system, while paving the way for joint manufacturing hubs, food supply chains, and youth capacity-building programs across Malaysia and Africa.
Malaysia’s Vision for a Strategic Partnership
For his part, Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to building a strategic partnership with Africa across multiple sectors, stressing the need for an Asia–Africa economic bloc capable of rebalancing the global economy.
He expressed satisfaction with his visit to the AU headquarters, commending the Union’s role in strengthening cooperation between Africa and the wider world, and voiced confidence in Africa’s ability to overcome the legacies of colonialism.
Anwar stated that Malaysia would leverage its expertise and global networks to support this partnership, both through the African Union and through bilateral cooperation with African states.
Future Areas of Cooperation
The Malaysian premier highlighted his country’s commitment to advancing collaboration in digital innovation, South–South trade, investment, agro-industrial development, education, and capacity building.
He praised the rapidly growing ties between Malaysia and Africa in trade, agribusiness, and education, expressing optimism that both sides will continue to benefit from expanded cooperation, drawing on Malaysia’s development model and Africa’s dynamic markets, within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
High-Level Participation
The official talks at the AU headquarters included the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and six commissioners, while the Malaysian delegation featured the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, the Minister of Federal Territories, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Prime Minister’s Economic Adviser.
