By Nebiyu Tedla (Ambassador)

Last week, Ethiopia proudly hosted the 11th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, a prestigious gathering that brought together policymakers, regional leaders, scholars, and civil society actors to engage in frank and strategic dialogue on Africa’s evolving security and development landscape. The forum began in the scenic city of Bahir Dar, near the tranquil shores of Lake Tana, and later continued in Addis Ababa, the diplomatic capital of Africa. This dual hosting reflected Ethiopia’s commitment to bridging regional and continental perspectives while emphasizing its pivotal role in shaping Africa’s security and governance agenda.

The return of the Tana Forum is quite timely, particularly given the rapid and far-reaching changes currently unfolding across the globe. The international order is in flux, characterized by increasing unpredictability, shifting alliances, and intensifying competition among major powers. These transformations carry profound implications for Africa’s peace, security, and development, underscoring the urgency for the continent to strengthen its unity and assert its agency in a volatile world. Against this backdrop, the 11th Tana Forum provided a timely and vital platform for reflection and action, reminding participants that Africa must not merely adapt to global transformations but play an active role in defining them.

At the heart of the forum’s enduring relevance lies its ability to convene decision makers and experts in a neutral, inclusive, and collaborative setting, enabling open and candid exchanges that are often constrained in formal diplomatic environments. By hosting this year’s forum, Ethiopia once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to multilateralism and inclusive dialogue as essential instruments for addressing the continent’s complex and interlinked challenges. The participation of senior officials including ministers, diplomats, special envoys for the Horn of Africa from various countries and the European Union, as well as representatives from the African Union (AU), IGAD and the UN…etc underscored Ethiopia’s stature as a hub for regional diplomacy and a bridge connecting Africa’s collective aspirations with global engagement.

The forum also devoted significant attention to the current situation in the Horn of Africa, a region that remains central to the continent’s peace and stability. Participants explored the opportunities and challenges shaping the region, including ongoing efforts to consolidate peace, address humanitarian needs, and enhance economic cooperation. In this context, the discussions highlighted the critical role that countries like Ethiopia can play in promoting stability and integration in the Horn of Africa, working closely with regional partners and international stakeholders. The presence of European envoys and other international partners underscored the importance of collaborative engagement, mutual respect, and shared responsibility in advancing the region’s long-term peace and prosperity. Ethiopia’s diplomatic leadership and historical commitment to regional stability were repeatedly acknowledged as key assets in building a more resilient and cooperative Horn of Africa.

The 11th Tana Forum concluded with renewed resolve, built around a shared conviction that Africa must act with purpose, confidence, and imagination to shape its own future. The rallying call “From dialogue to action” captured the spirit of the discussions and reflected a continental determination to move forward together toward peace, security, and sustainable development. A key message that emerged from the deliberations was the importance of strengthening African multilateralism to promote common interests and articulate a unified African voice at the global stage. The forum emphasized that Africa should embrace a regional multilateral order to maximize its agency and strategic leverage within the shifting global system, ensuring that African priorities drive African outcomes.

An important highlight of this year’s gathering was the High-Level Panel on African Ownership and Agency in Global Uncertainties, which explored how the continent can assert its role in a rapidly changing and unpredictable world. The panel underscored that Africa must be part of the global conversation not as a passive participant, but as an active architect of international solutions. It emphasized the need for self-confidence, strategic unity, and visionary leadership to ensure that Africa’s voice is heard and respected in shaping global governance and security frameworks.

Equally significant were the discussions on Africa’s economic resilience and self-reliance. Participants agreed that the continent’s sustainable development cannot be built on aid dependency but must come through the effective mobilization of Africa’s own resources. The forum placed particular emphasis on the growing importance of critical minerals, which have become essential to the global transition toward green energy. With the sudden surge in demand for these resources, participants cautioned against the dangers of exploitation and conflict, stressing the need for responsible sourcing and transparent management to ensure that this new wave of demand benefits African societies rather than destabilizing them. By leveraging critical minerals as a financing alternative, reinforcing local manufacturing, and deepening regional cooperation and integration, Africa can create the economic foundation necessary for lasting peace and prosperity.

Furthermore, participants highlighted the need to build stronger negotiation capacity so that African countries engage global partners from a position of strength and unity. These measures, taken together, reflect a shared vision of an Africa that is not merely a site of external competition but a dynamic actor capable of steering its own course.

The forum also explored the role of emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), in shaping Africa’s future. Discussions acknowledged both the transformative potential and the risks associated with AI. Participants agreed that Africa must not remain a passive consumer of technological innovation but should actively shape the development and governance of AI in ways that align with African values, priorities, and aspirations. Harnessing AI responsibly could accelerate progress in governance, service delivery, and economic transformation provided that the continent invests in the right skills, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks.

Economically and diplomatically, Ethiopia’s hosting of the Tana Forum further reinforced its soft power and leadership credentials. The successful organization of the event first in Bahir Dar and later in Addis Ababa demonstrated Ethiopia’s capacity to convene high-level discussions that bridge local, regional, and continental priorities. The attention and participation the forum attracted reaffirm Ethiopia’s position as a center for dialogue, policy innovation, and regional cooperation, while also showcasing the country’s enduring commitment to promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development across Africa.

In conclusion, Ethiopia’s hosting of the 11th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa holds profound national, regional, and continental significance. The forum demonstrated that Africa’s future lies in unity, confidence, and imagination. It reaffirmed that the continent’s development and security depend on its ability to harness its own resources, strengthen its institutions, and assert its agency in a rapidly changing world. By moving from dialogue to action, Ethiopia and its African partners have signaled a renewed commitment to building a peaceful, prosperous, and self-reliant Africa one capable of shaping its own destiny in a shifting global order.

Ambassador Nebiyu Tedla Negash is Director General of the Public Diplomacy Directorate General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

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