The soft launch of the British Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce (BECC), held at the Ethiopian Embassy in London in August, marked a significant milestone in the evolution of trade and investment ties between Ethiopia and the United Kingdom.
More than a ceremonial event, the launch introduced a strategic platform designed to advance bilateral trade, facilitate cross-border investment, and build the foundation for long-term economic cooperation.
The creation of BECC signals a deliberate shift from diplomatic goodwill to practical economic collaboration.
Historically, the UK and Ethiopia have shared deep-rooted ties. Ethiopia was the first African country to open an embassy in London, while Britain was among the earliest to establish a presence in Addis Ababa.
Today, the chamber is redefining that legacy, offering businesses a structured pathway to engage in one of Africa’s most dynamic economies and one of Europe’s most sophisticated consumer markets.
For Ethiopian exporters, BECC provides direct access to British markets, while UK companies gain a doorway into Ethiopia’s fast-transforming economy.
With more than 120 million people, Ethiopia is liberalizing key sectors, preparing to open its first securities exchange in half a century, and pursuing rapid industrialization.
These shifts create urgent needs for capital inflows, technology transfer, and credible partnerships, opportunities that BECC is uniquely positioned to facilitate.
The United Kingdom, meanwhile, brings deep expertise in finance, clean energy, logistics, and high-value manufacturing.
Small and medium-sized enterprises across the UK, in particular, are seeking stable, growth-oriented markets beyond Europe.
BECC offers the mechanisms to translate those aspirations into actionable partnerships, providing market insights, legal guidance, advocacy, and direct networking opportunities.
Unlike many chambers that exist largely in name, BECC has been structured for agility and impact, with founding support from both the Ethiopian and British embassies.
Its agenda includes hosting trade forums, organizing B2B matchmaking events, convening business roundtables, and facilitating dialogue between ministries, regulators, and the private sector.
A formal launch is scheduled for Addis Ababa in late 2025, underscoring the chamber’s dual presence in both capitals.
Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the UK, Biruk Mekonnen, captured the vision of the initiative during the launch event:
“This chamber is a bridge, where a coffee farmer from Sidama or a textile innovator from Hawassa can one day see their products on shelves in London.”
The chamber is anchored on three pillars: networking, advocacy, and trade services, positioning itself as a long-term partner in shaping a trade relationship defined not by aid or dependency, but by shared interests and aligned incentives.
In doing so, BECC reflects a spirit of mutual growth, ensuring that business becomes not only transactional but also relational, rooted in trust and collaboration.
As global trade corridors evolve and supply chains shift, the British Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce offers a rare model of bilateral cooperation built on pragmatism, resilience, and opportunity.
Membership is now open to companies, institutions, and entrepreneurs ready to engage, not as observers, but as participants, in writing the next chapter of UK-Ethiopia relations.