H.E Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of Ethiopia held a meeting with H.E Mr. BrunoLe Maire, Minister of Finance and Economy of France. The meeting focused on identifying new solutions that would ensure fast recovery of African economies post COVID era and was organized as part of the preparation for the forthcoming Summit on financing African Economies, which will be hosted by the President of The Republic of France, H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, in May 2021.

Minister Ahmed during the discussion elaborated on the importance of having timely and sustainable financing support for African economies to ensure the protection of socio-economic gains made in the past decade. Minister Ahmed Shide said, “Mobilizing support in particular for African countries whose external debt situation has been exacerbated by the COVID- 19 shocks is highly critical”. He also said the world needs to work together for the equitable distribution of vaccines to alter the course of the pandemic.

In conclusion, the Minister thanked the French Republic, President H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, and Finance and Economy Minister H.E. Mr. Bruno Le Maire for their commitment and the leadership they have shown in organizing the international community to support Africa during this time of great difficulty.