Ethiopia Expands Financial Access in SEZs to Boost Investment, Competitiveness

Addis Ababa, March 18, 2026 (ENA) —The Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC) has announced an expansion of financial access for investors operating in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), aiming to strengthen investment and enhance competitiveness.

The reform is designed to improve service delivery and create a more enabling environment for businesses within the zones.

A half-day consultation workshop was held to enhance banking services and strengthen coordination among investors, financial institutions, and relevant government bodies operating in the SEZs.

Speaking at the event, IPDC Chief Officer for Operations and Park Management, Fitsum Ketema, noted that financial services in the zones had previously been limited to the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, but the service is now open to all banks to improve access and competitiveness.

 

Fitsum highlighted that the government has invested over 1.5 billion US dollars  in developing the zones, which have attracted investments worth billions of dollars, contributing to foreign exchange earnings, job creation, and technology transfer.

 He said the initiative is intended to encourage broader private sector participation across manufacturing, agriculture, trade, and services, while also attracting foreign direct investment and supporting the development of economic clusters.

He emphasized that the framework will help improve export performance and create a more conducive environment for productive investment.

Under the SEZ proclamation, the National Bank of Ethiopia is mandated to issue directives outlining selection criteria, standards, and licensing requirements for financial institutions seeking to operate within the zones.

According to Fitsum, the industrial zones, developed with significant public investment, have played a key role in boosting production and attracting capital inflows.

 

Currently, more than 290 domestic and foreign investors operate across 14 investment hubs managed by the IPDC.

The consultation forum, organized to strengthen collaboration between financial institutions and investors, brought together senior executives from 31 public and private financial institutions, along with officials from the Ethiopian Investment Commission, National Bank of Ethiopia, and the IPDC.

Discussion papers presented at the forum outlined the legal framework for the zones and explored ways to improve conditions for banks operating within them.