East Africa’s fastest growing economy and Africa’s second most populous country, Ethiopia has taken its rhetoric on building bridges across Africa to the next level by signing a visa waiver agreement with Nigeria. It is believed that this agreement will bring Africa’s biggest economy, and Africa’s fastest growing economy together for integration of the continent. However, the visa waiver will not cover all visitors as it is for diplomatic and official passport holders only.

Both countries also signed a defence corperation agreement which seeks to identify areas both countries will partner in the area of military corperation. This is a culmination of the state visit by Nigeria’s President Mohammadu Buhari to Ethiopia over the week.

Read also:Nigeria’s Paga acquires Ethiopia-based Apposit to speed international growth

Both sides agreed to swiftly conclude negotiations on the revised Bilateral Air Services Agreement and the MoU on cultural cooperation. Ethiopian Airlines is one of the most active airlines operating in Nigeria with flights into four different Nigerian cities. It also has huge stake in Line, Togo based ASKY Airlines which operates to Lagos and Abuja.

Both President Muhammadu Buhari and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed witnessed the signing of the agreement by their Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama of Nigeria and Gedu Andargachew of Ethiopia respectively.

Read also:Ethiopia Revokes 1,178 Investment Firms’ Licenses

Earlier, while meeting with the Ethiopian Prime Minister, President Buhari had discussed how to explore new areas of collaboration to further enhance and expand Nigeria-Ethiopia bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefits of the two countries.

The visa waiver agreement is expected to ease travels by officials and contribute to further strengthening of bilateral relations.

Read also:Nigerian Off-grid Startup Daystar Power Secures $4m From SunFunder 

The Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation is important to both countries in the coordination of efforts in the fight against terrorism and securing peace and stability in their respective sub-regions, as well as on the continent of Africa.

The MoU will also enhance bilateral military cooperation in the areas of training and education, technical assistance, exchange of visits and defence technology transfer.

It also entails cooperation in peace support operation issues within the framework of the respective laws of the Parties and on a reciprocal basis.

The consummation of these two agreements will provide veritable platforms for deepening existing air transport services, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

President Buhari expressed gratitude to the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia for the warm and generous hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the visit.

He further extended an invitation to Prime Minister Ahmed to pay a reciprocal State Visit to Nigeria on mutually convenient dates.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry