ADDIS ABABA – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim met with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, at the organisation’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening ties with African nations in a more strategic and forward-looking manner.
Anwar congratulated Youssouf on his appointment earlier this year and highlighted the reopening of Malaysia’s embassy in Addis Ababa last September as a crucial step in expanding cooperation with African Union member states.
The move, he said, serves as a catalyst for deeper engagement across political, economic, and cultural dimensions.
During the meeting, Anwar emphasised the significant potential of linking the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with the ASEAN market, a connection that could unlock new growth opportunities, enhance regional connectivity, and deliver tangible benefits to citizens across both regions.
Malaysia expressed readiness to share expertise in areas aligned with Africa’s development agenda, including Islamic finance, the digital economy, sustainable infrastructure development, and high-value commodities such as palm oil. These sectors, Anwar noted, are vital for fostering inclusive growth and building resilient economies.
The Prime Minister reiterated Malaysia’s approach of building relations based on solidarity, genuine friendship, and mutual respect, stressing that cooperation must go beyond transactional exchanges to embody shared values and long-term vision.
The meeting also reflected Malaysia’s broader ambition to position itself as a bridge between Asia and Africa, leveraging its experience in trade, finance, and technology to support Africa’s reform and growth agenda.
With Ethiopia hosting the African Union headquarters, the engagement further reinforced Malaysia’s intent to play a more active role in Africa’s multilateral platforms, while simultaneously expanding opportunities for Malaysian businesses in emerging African markets.
This dialogue is expected to pave the way for structured cooperation between Malaysia and the African Union, strengthening South-South partnerships and contributing to a more interconnected global economy.
