Ethiopia To Open Real Estate Market to Foreigners In New Draft Law

In a decisive move that signals Ethiopia’s growing appetite for foreign investment, the Council of Ministers has approved a draft proclamation that will allow foreigners to own or possess immovable property in the country. The new legislation, discussed during the Council’s 44th regular session, marks a pivotal shift in Ethiopia’s real estate policy, traditionally closed to non-citizens.

Government officials underscored that the framework has been designed to stimulate capital inflows without compromising the land rights of Ethiopian citizens. By establishing a clear legal structure for foreign ownership, authorities aim to unlock large-scale investment in housing development, address the chronic mismatch between housing supply and demand, and create new employment opportunities in construction and related sectors. The draft proclamation, now set to be debated by the House of People’s Representatives, is seen as a cornerstone in Ethiopia’s broader strategy to make its urban landscape more accessible and investor-friendly.

The session also tackled other key resolutions aligned with Ethiopia’s vision for structural transformation. One of the standout decisions was the approval of a regulation to implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) tariff reduction on goods. Once published in the Federal Gazette, the regulation—set to be enforced within a month—will facilitate freer trade among African nations by cutting tariffs that often hinder intra-continental commerce. The Council emphasized that this measure is crucial for accelerating regional economic integration, expanding market linkages, and strengthening Ethiopia’s role in Africa’s evolving value chains.

The Council also ratified Ethiopia’s move to join the African Finance Corporation (AFC), an institution that offers financial and technical assistance to both public and private sector projects across the continent. Membership in the AFC is expected to unlock new funding avenues for critical infrastructure and industrial development, sectors considered vital for long-term economic resilience.

Meanwhile, two interest-free financial assistance agreements—one with the Government of Italy and the other with the International Development Association—were also endorsed. These agreements will support the country’s environmental and green economy initiatives, as well as transformative reforms in the education sector. Officials noted that both loans are in full alignment with Ethiopia’s debt sustainability framework and offer generous grace and repayment periods.

To improve institutional efficiency and customer satisfaction, the Council further discussed and approved new regulations on service fees for the Ministry of Transport and Logistics and the Civil Society Organizations Authority. The changes are intended to reflect the cost of service provision while remaining sensitive to public affordability.

Wrapping up the session, the Council approved a draft proclamation to ratify the bilateral air transport agreement signed with Austria. The pact is expected to strengthen diplomatic and commercial ties, broaden market opportunities for Ethiopian Airlines, and contribute to tourism, foreign investment, and job creation.