ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Dessalegn, will begin a two-day working visit to Nigeria between June 24 and 25, an official of the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia has announced.
The Head of Chancery at the embassy, Mrs Sarah Godwin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Addis Ababa on Saturday that the Ethiopian PM would arrive in Abuja on June 24.
Godwin, however, said details of the visit were being fine-tuned in Abuja and would be released to the embassy soon.
NAN reports that the Ethiopian Prime Minister will lead a team of business concerns and technocrats for various bilateral engagements with his Nigerian counterpart, President Goodluck Jonathan.
The two leaders are expected to conclude talks on the proposed Nigeria-Ethiopia Mix Commission as well as a Military Cooperation to facilitate training of personnel between the two countries.
The two most populous African nations are also expected to open talks on waivers on Visa protocols to enhance movement of people and facilitate trade and business activities.
Currently, there are no Nigerian businessmen in Ethiopia because most Nigerians, who are in Ethiopia, are only professionals and international civil servants.
They are working either with African Union or United Nations Economic Commission for Africa as well as other UN organs with office in Ethiopia.
Data obtained from the Nigerian Embassy showed that the population of Nigerians working or making a living in Ethiopia is estimated between 350 and 500 people.
Meanwhile, the Dangote Group is the only Nigerian investing in Cement manufacturing in Ethiopia currently at a starting point.
On their part, the Ethiopians have a well-established tourism industry, including the Ethiopian Airlines, being the largest African Carrier.
It has four destinations in Nigeria, including a daily flight to Abuja and Lagos, while four, weekly, for Enugu and the newly established Kano routes. (NAN)