occasional-paper-180-e5e548d57576cbd3.pdf

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes bilateral trade between Ethiopia and the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) from 1995 to 2012. It finds that while trade has increased significantly, particularly with China and India, the relationship remains a typical 'North-South' pattern where Ethiopia exports primary products and imports manufactured goods and machinery.

• Bilateral trade between Ethiopia and BRICS countries grew drastically between 1995 and 2012, with China and India serving as the primary drivers of this increase.
• Ethiopia's trade relationship with BRICS follows a 'North-South' pattern, characterized by the export of primary products and the import of manufactured goods, machinery, and transport equipment.
• Ethiopia is more dependent on BRICS countries for its imports than BRICS countries are on Ethiopia for their imports, as Ethiopia lacks the minerals and fuels that dominate BRICS import needs.
• Ethiopia has experienced a trade deficit with all BRICS countries, with the deficits specifically increasing over time in relation to China and India.
• There is evidence of gradual export diversification toward manufactured goods, specifically in the leather industry, where Ethiopia shifted from exporting raw skins to leather manufactures like shoes and bags for markets in India and Brazil.
• Export complementarity between Ethiopia and BRICS countries remains very low (mostly below 0.2) because Ethiopia's exports are not diversified enough to meet the specific import demands of BRICS nations, which prioritize plant, machinery, and mineral fuels.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). occasional-paper-180-e5e548d57576cbd3.pdf. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Occasional-Paper-180.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. occasional-paper-180-e5e548d57576cbd3.pdf. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Occasional-Paper-180.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=occasional-paper-180-e5e548d57576cbd3.pdf |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Occasional-Paper-180.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndoccasionalpaper180e5e548d57576cbd3pdf, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{occasional-paper-180-e5e548d57576cbd3.pdf}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Occasional-Paper-180.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }