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Addis Ababa will host a significant Belgian Luxembourgish Economic Mission from June 1-4, 2025, organized by CBL-ACP in partnership with the Embassies of Belgium, Luxembourg, and Ethiopia, the European Chamber, the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce, and the Ethiopian Investment Commission. This high-level 4-day mission aims to foster stronger economic ties between Ethiopia and key European business leaders, presenting unparalleled opportunities for local and international businesses to engage with top Ethiopian institutions and policymakers.

Ethiopia, with its rapidly growing economy and over 120 million people, is becoming one of Africa’s most attractive business destinations. The country is undergoing bold reforms and investing heavily in infrastructure, positioning itself as a prime location for foreign investment. With currency liberalization and the launch of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange, Ethiopia is opening up like never before. The country’s dynamic growth is supported by massive infrastructure upgrades, an increasingly open banking sector, and exciting potential in agriculture, healthcare, renewable energy, and tourism, among other sectors.

For those who understand the timing, the mission offers a gateway to strategic growth in one of Africa’s most promising markets. Participants will gain privileged access to B2B and B2G meetings, sector-specific insights, and opportunities to network with decision-makers from both the public and private sectors. This mission also includes company and site visits to industrial zones and key infrastructure projects, allowing participants to better understand the on-the-ground dynamics of the Ethiopian market.

 


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Ethiopia has lost one of its most influential financial architects. Leikun Berhanu, whose name became synonymous with leadership across both state and private banking institutions, has died. His career, stretching over five decades, defined key moments in the country’s financial transformation.

He first emerged in the 1970s as President of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, taking the helm of the nation’s largest bank during a time of immense national change. His steady hand helped the institution navigate political upheavals and economic uncertainty, preserving public trust in the formal banking system when few could. It was a time when Ethiopia’s financial infrastructure required both resilience and bold decision-making—traits Leikun demonstrated early on.

Following the political shift of the early 1990s, Leikun was called to serve in one of the country’s most critical roles. As Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia from 1991 to 1995, he stood at the center of Ethiopia’s economic reorientation. The nation was shifting from a command economy to a more open, market-guided structure. During this fragile and foundational period, he led efforts to modernize banking regulation, stabilize currency policy, and oversee the emergence of new private financial players. His time at the central bank helped usher in the early foundations of the banking landscape as we know it today.

In the early 2000s, he transitioned into the private sector and took charge of Awash Bank, one of the country’s earliest private banks. His leadership there marked another chapter of innovation and institutional growth. Over 14 years, Leikun expanded the bank’s reach and relevance, turning Awash into a dominant force in the market. His presence brought credibility to a sector still earning its place in a state-heavy economy.

He also held management roles at Addis Ababa Bank, a private institution founded during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie I. Additionally, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Agricultural Crops Market Organization and held managerial positions in the transport and communication sectors, according to The Reporter.

As a mark of enduring respect, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia honored his legacy by naming one of its all-women-operated branches after him—an acknowledgment not only of his past leadership, but of the values of trust and innovation he embodied.

 


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The Invest in Ethiopia 2025 High-Level Business Forum, which concluded today in Addis Ababa, has secured USD 1.6 billion in foreign investment, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to foster private sector growth and attract international capital. The two-day event gathered global investors, policymakers, and key stakeholders, highlighting Ethiopia’s ongoing economic reforms and its growing appeal as an investment destination.

A key moment of the forum was the signing of five major investment agreements, which span diverse sectors with high growth potential. These deals are set to play a pivotal role in driving Ethiopia’s economic transformation and contribute to the creation of jobs and sustainable development.

The forum also hosted a series of productive panel discussions, addressing key issues impacting Ethiopia’s investment landscape. Among the featured discussions were: “A Conducive Environment for Investment in Ethiopia’s Service Sector,” which explored opportunities and challenges in service industries; “Public-Private Partnerships and Joint Investments with Governments,” emphasizing collaboration between the public and private sectors for sustainable development; and “ICT and Other Emerging Sectors – Powering the Digital Frontier,” which delved into Ethiopia’s digital transformation and the growing potential of technology-driven industries.

Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining a stable, investor-friendly environment. He emphasized the critical role of private sector growth in achieving macroeconomic stability and advancing Ethiopia’s ambitious reform agenda, including the newly launched Macro Reform Program.

“There has never been a more opportune moment to invest in our nation,” Minister Shide stated, extending an open invitation to global investors to join Ethiopia on its transformative journey. He stressed that investment is key to advancing shared goals of resilience, inclusive prosperity, and sustainable growth, and encouraged investors to explore the high-potential sectors outlined in the country’s investment “deal book.”

 


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The Cooperative Bank of Oromia, through its mobile platform Coopay e-Birr, has officially launched electricity bill payment services in collaboration with the Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU)—unlocking new possibilities for rural inclusion and digital convenience.

This move comes as Ethiopia deepens its transition to digital service delivery. Getu Geremew, CEO of EEU reports that around 90% of its five million customers currently use digital payment methods. Until now, digital bill payments have primarily been facilitated by platforms such as Telebirr, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Awash Bank, and most recently, Safaricom. But EEU acknowledges that these platforms have struggled to effectively serve rural communities, where farmers often face challenges such as limited access, low trust, and limited digital literacy.

“We chose Coop Bank because of its dominance in the eastern and rural parts of the country,” explained Esayas Dendir, Marketing and Sales Executive Officer at EEU. “The majority of their customers are farmers. That’s a unique reach we didn’t have.”

Coopay e-Birr, with over 7 million users and a transaction volume exceeding 3 trillion birr, is a widely used mobile financial platform in Ethiopia. It facilitates payments for services including Ethiopian Airlines, water utilities, housing corporations, municipal services, and educational institutions.

The addition of electricity bill payments not only adds convenience for users but also promotes operational efficiency and national development goals. For EEU, digital payments minimize delays in fee collection and improve the financing of infrastructure projects. For Coop Bank, the move strengthens its positioning as a key player in digital financial inclusion.

“This isn’t just a new feature—it’s a grassroots shift,” said Derbe Asfaw, CEO of the Cooperative Bank of Oromia. “We’re bringing fintech to the doorsteps of farmers, daily laborers, and small traders who’ve long been excluded from Ethiopia’s digital transformation.”

He added, “We are driven by the belief that digital innovation can transform lives. This collaboration is another step toward building a financially empowered society.”

According to the EEU, efforts are underway to expand the digital payment system across various banks. “We are working to integrate multiple banks in partnership with EthSwitch,” said Getu Geremew.

 


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The Addis Ababa City Administration has redefined the scope of informal businesses, announcing that traders with capital below ETB 200,000 will now be classified under the “e-informal” business category.

This new directive outlined by Habiba Mohammed, Head of the City’s Trade Bureau represents a significant policy shift. Previously, under a 2017 directive, only traders with capital under ETB 10,000 fell into the e-informal classification. 

The revised threshold, now twenty times higher, is part of a broader effort to bring more micro-businesses into a structured framework.

E-informal businesses are defined as those lacking permanent business premises, operating with annually renewable licenses, and not fully integrated into the tax system. “The goal is to better monitor and support low-capital traders while also paving a pathway into the formal economy,” said Habiba.

The new regulation also imposes a two-year operational limit for traders classified under the e-informal category. Once their capital reaches ETB 200,000, they are required to transition to the formal business system and comply with associated regulations, including permanent licensing and tax registration.

Habiba further explained that the e-informal business structure is divided into two types: those operating from fixed locations and mobile vendors working on city streets. For the latter group, specific working days and hours will now be enforced to manage public space usage more effectively.

This regulatory update comes as part of the city’s broader initiative to modernize its business environment, expand the tax base, and provide tailored support to the informal sector, which plays a vital role in job creation and urban economic activity.

 


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The House of People’s Representatives has approved a series of critical agreements aimed at accelerating Ethiopia’s development across key sectors, during its 29th regular session of the 6th Parliament’s 4th year.

The House ratified two major loan agreements, endorsed the establishment of a pan-African finance institution, and approved a new air transport accord with a European partner. The proclamations were presented by Assistant Minister of State for Finance, Meseret Haile, who requested that they be moved directly to second reading. Following strong support from parliamentarians, the House deliberated on the proclamations in detail and granted approval.

Among the approvals was a budget support loan agreement with the Government of Italy, aimed at enhancing Ethiopia’s environmental sustainability and green economy goals. Another agreement, signed with the International Development Association, will support the country’s Education Sector Transformation Program, a key pillar in human capital development.

The House also ratified the agreement establishing the African Finance Corporation, with only three abstentions. Concluding the session, lawmakers unanimously endorsed a bilateral air transport agreement with the Federal Government of Austria, a move expected to bolster air connectivity and aviation cooperation.

 


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Ethiopia has signed a landmark agreement with China to embed artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced research technologies into its farming systems. The pact, signed between the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute (EIAR) and the Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (BAAFS), signals Ethiopia’s growing appetite for innovation-led agricultural transformation.

The agreement was formalized by Prof. Nigussie Dechasa, Director General of EIAR, and Prof. Wu Baoxin, President of BAAFS. The high-level event was attended by institutional leaders and research delegates from both countries. But beyond ceremonial diplomacy, this pact marks a turning point in how Ethiopia approaches productivity, food security, and scientific self-reliance in agriculture.

Prof. Nigussie described the partnership as a product of deepening ties between the two institutions, rooted in mutual interests identified during an earlier working visit to Beijing. He emphasized that the collaboration would give Ethiopia direct access to advanced research ecosystems.

“This is not just a bilateral agreement. It’s a platform for knowledge transfer, laboratory development, and AI-led problem solving in Ethiopian agriculture,” said Prof. Nigussie in an interview with the Ethiopian News Agency. “It opens doors for co-innovation at a time when we need smarter tools to tackle climate variability and food system challenges.”

The agreement’s scope spans multiple fields of joint research, including animal resource development, crop improvement, and conservation practices. However, the integration of artificial intelligence stands out as its most ambitious component—positioning Ethiopia among the countries in the region to formally pursue AI in agricultural research through an international partnership.

China, which has aggressively deployed AI and big data in its own agricultural modernization, is expected to serve not only as a technology source but as a collaborative peer in training Ethiopian scientists, establishing shared research protocols, and building specialized labs. The deal also calls for institutional exchanges, joint publications, and co-investment in lab infrastructure.

Prof. Wu Baoxin praised Ethiopia’s historic and geographic importance in Africa, noting that scientific collaboration with Ethiopia aligns with China’s long-term strategy to foster global partnerships rooted in shared development goals. He called the agreement a “practical manifestation of Sino-African innovation diplomacy.”

To give operational depth to the agreement, a high-level Chinese delegation will visit key research hubs in Ethiopia over the coming days, including the Bishoftu Agricultural Research Center and the Holte Biotechnology Research and Agriculture Center. These visits are expected to shape immediate implementation plans and identify flagship projects that could roll out within the next year.


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In a move signaling broader participation in Ethiopia’s liberalizing digital fuel payment ecosystem, Dashen Bank has launched a seamless fuel payment feature through its Super App, becoming the latest entrant to challenge the long-standing dominance of state-backed platforms.

For nearly two years, Telebirr, along with digital wallets from the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) and the Cooperative Bank of Oromia (COOP), served as the primary—and for a time, exclusive—channels for fuel payments in the country. However, Ethiopia’s fuel payment landscape is shifting under the weight of digital reform and policy liberalization.

The April 2023 national fuel reform, initiated by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, marked a turning point. Aimed at digitalizing the sector using cutting-edge technologies, the reform has driven major cost savings and transaction efficiency. According to State Minister Bareo Hassan, the digital framework has already enabled over ETB 430 billion in digital transactions and saved the country more than ETB 190 billion in costs.

“But this wasn’t a complete success,” Bareo acknowledged, noting that participation has remained limited to only a few players.

To address this bottleneck, Ministry of Transport and Logistics has been working on a grand digital fuel payment integration platform, in collaboration with Ethio Telecom and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology. The initiative invites broader banking sector participation—a call Dashen Bank has now answered.

The state minister welcomed Dashen Bank’s quick uptake of the initiative, hailing it as a sign of the private sector’s growing alignment with Ethiopia’s digital transformation agenda.

At a press briefing, Ayele Teshome, Dashen Bank CEO Representative, announced that customers can now pay for fuel at selected stations in just three clicks using the Dashen Super App. The bank plans to roll out the service nationwide in the coming weeks.

“Our fast and secure fuel payment feature allows customers to log in, select the fuel payment mini app, and scan a QR code to complete the transaction instantly,” said Ayele.

This service not only simplifies the consumer experience but also enhances operational efficiency for gas stations and offers new oversight capabilities for government regulators. Dashen’s mini app—nested within its flagship Super App—enables users to fill out a simple form and pay without friction, helping to modernize one of the country’s most essential consumer transactions.

 


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Ethiopia is actively courting global investors with bold economic reforms and sectoral liberalization, as it hosts the Invest in Ethiopia – High-Level Business Forum 2025 in Addis Ababa from May 12–13. The event brings together international investors, senior government officials, and development partners to explore opportunities in priority sectors such as renewable energy, agribusiness, ICT, and manufacturing.

Organized by the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), the Ministry of Finance, and the Development Partners Group, the two-day forum signals Ethiopia’s firm commitment to private sector-led growth. The country’s 8.1% GDP growth in 2024 and recent policy reforms have positioned it as one of Africa’s top destinations for investment.

The Forum features high-level ministerial roundtables, sector panels, networking sessions, and the official launch of a new Investment Deal Book, aimed at enhancing transparency and deal-making for foreign investors.

In his opening remarks, President Taye Atske Selassie emphasized the government’s efforts to improve the investment climate by addressing long-standing challenges in foreign direct investment (FDI). “Reforms have been designed to attract FDI, sustain growth, and drive structural transformation,” he noted, adding that infrastructure development and investor-friendly policies are being prioritized to meet Ethiopia’s goal of becoming Africa’s leading economy by 2030.

“We believe we are on the right track to ensure macro-financial stability,” he added. “Our reforms are fundamentally reimagining Ethiopia’s economic future.”

Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos (PhD) echoed the president’s message, stating that Ethiopia’s young, energetic population, improved logistics, and rapid development of industrial parks make it a natural hub for international investment. He encouraged investors to explore opportunities not just in traditional sectors, but also in mining, energy, and tourism.

Finance Minister Ahmed Shide underlined the importance of macroeconomic stability and structural reforms. “Opening up sectors like telecom, finance, and logistics is already yielding results,” he said. He also highlighted the launch of the Ethiopian capital market as a game-changer in deepening private-sector participation.

EIC Commissioner Zeleke Temesgen Boru (PhD) reported that new investors from 59 countries are participating in the forum—a sign of growing international confidence. He stressed the government’s readiness to provide full support to investors and ensure predictability in policy implementation.

A presentation by Planning and Development Minister Dr. Fitsum Assefa showcased Ethiopia’s natural resources, strategic location, and investment-ready infrastructure, reinforcing the country’s competitive edge in attracting quality investments.

With AfCFTA integration on the horizon, Ethiopia is positioning itself as a regional gateway for investors seeking access to Africa’s fast-growing markets.

 


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The Ethiopian Textile and Garment Manufacturers Association has announced that more than half of Ethiopia’s domestic clothing market is now dominated by illegally imported second-hand garments, posing a serious threat to local textile manufacturers and the broader economy, according to Ahadu.

The association reports that 53 percent of the local apparel market is currently being flooded by second-hand clothes smuggled into the country through informal channels.

These garments, often sold at lower prices, are rapidly outcompeting locally made products and undermining the viability of domestic manufacturers.
Speaking to Ahadu, Goshu Negash, President of the Association, said that the influx of contraband second-hand clothing is disrupting the market at an alarming scale.

“These products now dominate more than half of the market, and that has devastating consequences for legal producers and traders,” said Goshu. “This activity doesn’t only impact businesses—it’s harming the national economy.”
The association warned that businesses which operate legally—paying taxes, complying with labor regulations, and creating employment opportunities—are increasingly being pushed out of the market.

Many domestic producers are reportedly being forced to shut down due to the unfair competition posed by smuggled goods. In response, the association is calling on the government to intervene urgently. It has urged authorities to crack down on illegal imports and offer more robust support for local textile and garment manufacturers. Without decisive action, the association warns, the country’s textile sector could face long-term decline.

“The current market environment does not provide hope for legal producers,” said Goshu. “We need stronger policy enforcement and targeted support to ensure Ethiopia’s textile industry can survive and grow.”

The association is also advocating for enhanced promotion of locally manufactured products, alongside better access to finance and technology for domestic players.

In its view, revitalizing Ethiopia’s textile sector requires a coordinated national effort that balances regulation with sustainable support for homegrown enterprises.




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