@renewableenergy – Ethiopian Business Review

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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Ethiopia has officially launched a new vehicle license plate system, introducing a uniform design for all vehicles registered within the country. The reform, outlined in the Types of Vehicles Identification Number Plate and Symbols Determination and Service Delivery Directive No. 1050/2025, has been implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics. It mandates that all vehicle plates will now feature the national identifier “ETH”, alongside the map of Ethiopia, inscriptions in both Ge’ez and Latin scripts, and advanced technological features.

The key aim of the reform is to standardise vehicle registration plates across the country, replacing the region-specific number plates previously used. This change comes in response to the operational inefficiencies, resource wastage, and fraud associated with the old system. According to the directive, the new plates will bring Ethiopia into line with international agreements and help curb forgery and corruption linked to vehicle registrations.

The directive further mandates that all newly registered vehicles and those already on the road must return their old plates and obtain the new ones. The ministry has outlined a scheduled timeline for this transition.

In line with the global trend for standardisation, all vehicle plates in Ethiopia will now include a map of the country, the national symbol “ETH” in Latin, and the corresponding Ge’ez characters “ኢት” — marking a significant step in aligning with international conventions. The plates will also feature a consecutive number format with three Latin letters and four digits, although under exceptional circumstances, motorcycles may use three digits.

Additionally, vehicles powered by electric or renewable energy will be distinctly marked with the phrase “Green Transport” to highlight their environmentally friendly credentials. Each plate will also contain specific markings to indicate the type of fuel used and the service provided by the vehicle, ensuring a more transparent system for tracking and regulation.

The directive introduces a system that includes coding features for better control, registration, and monitoring. This coding system aims to modernise the manufacturing, distribution, and disposal of vehicle plates, with a strong emphasis on using high-quality materials to avoid waste and misuse of public funds.

Importantly, the reform not only applies to future registrations but also to previously registered vehicles. These vehicles will be required to return their old number plates and replace them with the new design as part of the nationwide rollout of the directive.

Cooperative Bank of Oromia took center stage at this week’s United Nations Global Compact conference in Kampala, representing the country at the 11th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development. The bank participated in high-level discussions on accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the continent.

During the SDG Activation Day sessions, Coopbank executives detailed the institution’s pioneering work in sustainable finance before an audience of policymakers, development experts and business leaders from across Africa. The bank highlighted its innovative approaches to financial inclusion, digital transformation and climate-smart banking that are delivering measurable impacts in Ethiopian communities.

The forum provided a platform for Coopbank to demonstrate how commercial banks can drive progress on critical development priorities while maintaining financial viability. The bank shared case studies of its gender-focused lending programs, digital financial services expansion into rural areas, and green financing initiatives supporting climate adaptation.

The bank’s ability to align its core operations with SDG targets has emerged as a potential model for other African financial institutions seeking to balance profit and purpose.

The strong reception to Coopbank’s participation signals growing recognition of Ethiopia’s leadership in developing homegrown solutions to Africa’s sustainable development challenges. The bank’s presentation particularly resonated with delegates from countries facing similar financial inclusion and climate resilience hurdles. The bank’s appearance at this high-profile continental event marks an important milestone in Ethiopia’s financial sector gaining influence in pan-African policy discussions.

The forum outcomes are expected to shape regional cooperation on sustainable finance initiatives in the coming year, with Ethiopian institutions like Coopbank positioned to play an increasingly prominent role.

Ethiopia Opens Doors to Global Investors in Energy, ICT, Manufacturing, and Agribusiness

Ethiopia Unveils New Vehicle Plates Featuring Ge’ez and “ETH” Symbol

Coop Bank Champions Sustainable Finance at UN Africa Forum