Ethiopia's International Negotiation Capacity on the Rise, MPs Confirm

Addis Ababa, July 5, 2025 (ENA)—Members of the House of People’s Representatives (HPR) have affirmed that Ethiopia’s capacity for international negotiation has significantly improved.

Their remarks came following Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s address to parliament on the government’s performance during the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year, where he also responded to questions from the lawmakers.

During his presentation, the Prime Minister noted that Ethiopia has not taken on any high-interest commercial loans over the past seven years.

 He emphasized the government’s commitment to repaying external debts accumulated by previous administrations and its proactive efforts in negotiating existing debt agreements.

 As a result of these efforts, Ethiopia has successfully restructured 3.5 billion USD in bilateral debt over the last four years.

 The members of HPR hailed this as a major diplomatic achievement, highlighting the importance of responsible debt management and the long-term consequences of misusing borrowed funds.

 They praised the government’s prudent borrowing policies and its focus on transparency and sustainability in external financing.

 Assistant Professor Genene Gedebo stressed the need to use loans for their intended purposes and ensure timely repayment, warning that high-interest debt could hinder national development.

 

 MP Nejat Girma acknowledged the heavy debt burden inherited from past administrations and commended the current government’s actions to mitigate its impact.

She noted that Ethiopia’s commitment to self-reliant development has encouraged international partners to support debt restructuring efforts.

 

 Feteh Mehdi, another HPR member, said the government’s decision to avoid high-interest commercial loans over the past six years demonstrates its dedication to reducing debt dependency.