Move aims to strengthen political, economic, and sustainability cooperation between Singapore and Ethiopia.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 25 November 2025 — Singapore took a significant step in expanding its engagement with Africa during a high-level visit to Ethiopia, where Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan announced the establishment of Singapore’s first Embassy in East Africa.
During the visit, the Singapore delegation emphasised Ethiopia’s importance as a regional hub. Addis Ababa, home to the African Union and a centre for economic and diplomatic activity, was highlighted as a strategic location for deepening Singapore’s long-term partnerships across the African continent. The new embassy will serve as an anchor for growing ties in trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
Image by Singapore Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan
Both sides discussed opportunities for enhanced collaboration in areas such as connectivity, skills development, and sustainable development. Singapore and Ethiopia also signalled their intention to strengthen cooperation in carbon credit initiatives, an area where both countries aim to advance their climate goals. This cooperation comes as Ethiopia prepares to host COP32 in 2027, an effort Singapore expressed strong support for.
Prime Minister Wong also launched the Singapore–Africa Partnership Leading to Growth and Sustainability (SAPLINGS) programme, designed to facilitate capacity-building, professional exchanges, and mutual learning between Singaporean and African institutions. The initiative aims to bolster Africa’s development goals while creating new avenues for collaboration between regions.
The visit reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to building stronger partnerships with Africa, leveraging shared interests in sustainability, economic resilience, and human capital development. With the establishment of the embassy in Addis Ababa, Singapore aims to create a long-term platform to deepen engagement and unlock opportunities for both Singaporean and African stakeholders.
Source: Singapore Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan
