On April 9, 2026, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye met at the National Palace in Addis Ababa to sign a series of comprehensive Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). These agreements span critical sectors including defence, health, education, water and energy, agriculture, trade, digital identification, and tourism, underscoring a mutual dedication to advancing regional sustainable development. The MOUs aim to deepen bilateral cooperation by capitalizing on the respective strengths of Ethiopia and Burundi, fostering growth and enhancing regional integration. The signing followed extensive discussions between the leaders and their delegations, and President Ndayishimiye's earlier visit to the Bole Lemi Special Economic Zone and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces headquarters.