Addis Ababa, April 2, 2026 (ENA) —Over the past eight years, Ethiopia has undergone a far-reaching economic transformation, shifting from a restrictive and state-led model to a more enabling, resilient, diversified, and market-oriented economy, according to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister marking the eighth anniversary of the reform program. Prior to 2018, economic growth was constrained by structural weaknesses, including limited job creation, narrow export diversification, and heavy dependence on external borrowing. The Agriculture Development-Led Industrialization (ADLI) framework expanded agricultural output but remained insufficiently action-oriented and did not fully utilize Ethiopia's vast agricultural potential or generate adequate rural incomes to drive industrialization. Manufacturing exports stagnated below three billion dollars for many years, while industrial parks often operated as isolated enclaves with weak linkages to the domestic economy. This model also created macroeconomic vulnerabilities. Large infrastructure investments financed through external borrowing failed to generate sufficient foreign exchange, contributing to rising debt pressures. Key sectors such as telecommunications, finance, and mining remained underdeveloped or closed to private participation, constraining innovation, private investment, and overall economic dynamism. Since 2018, Ethiopia has implemented a comprehensive reform agenda to address these challenges, unlock new sources of growth, and correct macroeconomic imbalances. Agricultural Transformation and Food Sovereignty A central pillar of reform has been the transformation of agriculture toward higher productivity, diversification, resilience, and sustainability. Ethiopia has achieved wheat self-sufficiency. By 2024/25, the country emerged as Africa’s largest wheat producer. Crop diversification has accelerated significantly, including rapid expansion in rice, oilseeds, and other industrial crops. Livestock and high-value agriculture have grown rapidly. Annual egg production has reached 9.4 billion, milk production approximately 13 billion litres, and meat production has increased nearly tenfold. These gains reflect improvements in nutrition, food systems, and diversified rural incomes. Structural reforms such as cluster farming—now involving 9.5 million farmers across 12.8 million hectares—have delivered measurable results, including a 29 percent increase in productivity and an 18 percent rise in incomes. Overall agricultural output has increased from 41.7 million tons to around 150 million tons within seven years. This has strengthened the sector’s contribution to economic growth, employment generation in both rural and urban areas, and export performance. Coffee production has doubled to nearly one million tons, generating about 2.65 billion dollars in export earnings in 2024/25. Environmental Protection and Green Growth Through the Green Legacy Initiative, more than 48 billion seedlings have been planted and 12.5 million hectares of land rehabilitated. Forest coverage has increased from 17 percent in 2019 to 23 percent in 2025. These efforts have reduced soil erosion while supporting agricultural productivity and export performance, particularly in coffee. They demonstrate the strong linkage between environmental protection and economic growth. Industrial Policy and Export Orientation Industrial strategy has evolved toward integrated Special Economic Zones that support manufacturing, logistics, and services while strengthening linkages with the domestic economy. The number of investors has grown from 36 in 2018 to over 200 today, with domestic investors accounting for nearly 65 percent. This transition reflects a shift from enclave-style industrialization toward a more integrated, inclusive, and sustainable ecosystem. Export-oriented production from these zones continues to expand, broadening the country's export base. Mining, Import Substitution, and Export Growth The mining sector has emerged as a key pillar of the economy. Previously underutilized, it has been repositioned as a driver of sustainable development and broad-based benefits. Gold production has increased significantly to nearly 39 tons, generating approximately 3.5 billion dollars in export earnings in 2024/25—accounting for more than 45 percent of total exports. Import substitution efforts have also delivered results. Coal imports have been fully replaced by domestic production, and cement production capacity now exceeds 20 million tons annually, supporting self-sufficiency. Digital Transformation and Financial Inclusion Liberalization of the telecommunications sector has driven one of the fastest digital expansions in Africa. Mobile subscriptions have increased from 37.9 million to 87.9 million, significantly expanding access and inclusion. Mobile financial services now serve more than 58 million users, with transactions exceeding 7.5 trillion birr. Financial sector reforms have strengthened macroeconomic stability and improved financial intermediation. Credit allocation has shifted toward the private sector, which now accounts for more than 85 percent of total bank lending. Reforms, including the restructuring of state-owned banks and improved financial sector governance, have enhanced liquidity, asset quality, and sustainability. Fiscal Discipline and Structural Reform A defining feature of recent progress has been strong fiscal discipline. Unlike the pre-2018 period, reforms have reduced reliance on external commercial borrowing. Improvements in state-owned enterprises, better project selection, and restructuring of underperforming sectors have reduced inefficiencies and strengthened public finances. Urban Transformation and Human Capital Development Ethiopia recognizes cities as engines of economic growth and structural transformation. Investments in urban development, infrastructure, and housing, supported by private sector participation, have improved living conditions and expanded economic opportunities. Integrated corridor development has enhanced the liveability, competitiveness, and economic functionality of cities, expanding from Addis Ababa to more than 50 cities nationwide. These efforts have positioned cities as hubs for innovation, tourism, and business. A New Economic Direction Ethiopia is transitioning away from a model heavily reliant on state-led investment toward one anchored in productivity, private sector dynamism, sectoral linkages, and structural transformation. Reforms across agriculture, industry, mining, finance, digitalization, and urban development reflect a practical and results-oriented approach to economic management. While challenges remain, the ongoing transformation is laying the foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth. It underscores the importance of structural reform, fiscal discipline, and effective policy implementation in building a competitive and resilient economy. Over the past eight years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia has advanced toward greater self-reliance and a more promising future. Guided by the philosophy of Medemer (synergy), this period has been defined by reform, resilience, and measurable results. As Ethiopia looks ahead, the progress achieved despite significant challenges demonstrates strong potential. The growth trajectory is becoming broader, deeper, more diversified, and more inclusive, with continued momentum aimed at delivering lasting benefits for future generations.

Addis Ababa, April 2, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia–China relations remain a model of South–South cooperation grounded in mutual respect and shared development goals, senior officials from the two countries reaffirmed. A high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide held discussions with Miao Deyu, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. During the occasion, Minister Ahmed Shide highlighted the strong Ethiopia–China partnership and progress in implementing the outcomes of the Beijing FOCAC 2024.   He also outlined key national infrastructure initiatives, including the Bishoftu International Airport, expected to enhance connectivity between Africa, China, and global markets. Miao Deyu for his part welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for Ethiopia’s development achievements and the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s economic development. Accordingly, the two sides also exchanged views on regional issues and Ethiopia’s role as an anchor for regional integration, stability, and security.   Both sides underscored the importance of continued high-level engagement and reaffirmed that Ethiopia–China relations remain a model of South–South cooperation grounded in mutual respect and shared development goals, ENA learned.

Addis Ababa, April 2, 2026 (ENA) —The Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, Eyob Tekalign, met with the Governor of the People’s Bank of China, Pan Gongsheng, to advance a monetary cooperation aimed at deepening trade and investment ties. During the meeting, the NBE provided a comprehensive update on Ethiopia’s debt restructuring progress under the G20 Common Framework, highlighting the nation's resilient GDP growth and successful efforts to manage inflation while rebuilding foreign exchange reserves. Both parties expressed strong interest in establishing bilateral swap lines and trade financing facilities to facilitate smoother commercial flows. Eyob Tekalign highlighted the NBE’s strong potential of increasing RMB reserves, leveraging the significant revenue from Ethiopian Airlines and others, and through transitioning of key export sectors towards RMB settlement. This shift will also support the operating environment for Chinese enterprises in Ethiopia and promote new flows of Foreign Direct Investment. The Governors further discussed the possibilities of modernizing cross-border transactions, through the integration of national payment infrastructures. Pan Gongsheng highlighted the potential avenues for Ethiopian financial institutions joining the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) and expanding the use of China UnionPay to streamline retail and commercial payments. Additionally, both sides explored the development of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), with the PBOC supporting through capacity-building and experience-sharing initiatives to fast-track Ethiopia’s digital finance evolution. Pan Gongsheng concluded the meeting by commending Ethiopia’s recent macroeconomic reforms and its proactive stance on debt sustainability. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership that aligns with the evolving dynamics of global trade and digital finance.

Addis Ababa, April 2, 2026 (ENA) —Scholars have praised the wide-ranging achievements recorded across multiple sectors following Ethiopia’s national reform, citing rapid progress in key areas of the economy In an interview with ENA, Bonga University President Degela Ergano described the pace of the reform as striking. “The reform is progressing so fast it is unbelievable,” he said. According to Degela, since the emergence of new leadership under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, notable results have been registered in technology, tourism, wheat production, coffee development, manufacturing, and infrastructure. He emphasized that technology plays a decisive role in differentiating nations globally, noting that Ethiopia has given strong policy attention to the ICT sector. He added that digital transformation has become a central pillar of the macroeconomic reform agenda, with efforts underway to digitalize public services. Following the completion of the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy, the premier launched the Digital 2030 Strategy in December 2025 to sustain the momentum. Degela also highlighted the expansion of the tourism sector, describing it as unprecedented. “Tourism development has not ever been seen in Ethiopian history,” he said. He pointed to landmark projects such as Unity Park, Sheger Riverside, and Entoto Park, alongside the Dine for Nation initiative, which has led to the development of major destinations including Gorgora near Lake Tana, Wonchi, and Koysha. On manufacturing, he noted that the sector has gained renewed momentum under the Made in Ethiopia movement, positioning it as one of the core pillars of economic transformation. Commenting on infrastructure, Degela praised the ongoing corridor development initiative, which began in Addis Ababa in 2024 and has now expanded to dozens of cities across regional states. He further underscored the significance of the Yelemat Tirufat initiative in boosting productivity of dairy, poultry, and honey, contributing to food self-sufficiency and improved nutrition. Hawassa University Acting President Chirotaw Ayele said the reform has shifted Ethiopia toward a diversified, multi-sector economy. He noted that while agriculture had long dominated the economy, recent reforms have expanded focus to manufacturing, tourism, mining, and ICT. “Certainly, the agriculture sector has been expanded from a single-way harvesting into an irrigation harvesting system, leveraging mechanization as well,” he said. Chirotaw added that irrigation-based wheat production has significantly increased yields, supporting the country’s drive toward food sovereignty. Reflecting on the overall reform momentum, he stated, “The government is working without time constraint,” underscoring the accelerated pace of implementation.