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“This visit is a chance for us to take our partnership and our friendship to the next level,” Trudeau said Saturday.

“We have an incredible opportunity before us.”

We have an incredible opportunity before us

FIPAs, as they are often referred to in official circles, encourage investment between two nations. Canada already has at least two dozen FIPAs in place.

Ethiopia is not a big economic partner for Canada currently, with just $170 million in two-way trade in 2018, more than three-quarters of it Canadian exports.

However, Ethiopia is the fastest growing economy in Africa and one the five fastest in the world.

Trudeau also revealed a $10-million contribution to the African Union Commission for gender equality and women’s empowerment. He gave a speech at a breakfast hosted by the African Union and the funds were well-received by the mostly female audience. Trudeau is the first Canadian prime minister to attend an African Union event.

The breakfast was a side event to the African Union’s 33rd session in Addis Ababa on Saturday, but many African scholars in Canada say Canada’s efforts to advance its relationships in Africa comes very late in the game.

That was a feeling echoed by the head of one of Canada’s biggest challengers for two seats available in the group of countries Canada is in. Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said Norway and Canada are pursuing African support in similar ways but that Norway has been a steadier partner over the years.

“I think one of the differences, of course, is we have been on the steady same path for a very long time, so they know us,” Solberg said.