At the 2025 ‘Invest in Ethiopia’ High Level Business Forum, government officials highlighted sweeping economic reforms and sector openings as they pitched Ethiopia as a liberalized, investor-ready economy.

Ethiopia’s flagship ‘Invest in Ethiopia’ High-Level Business Forum, held from May 12–13 in Addis Ababa, concluded with over US$1.6 billion in foreign investment commitments. Now in its third edition, the forum was organized by the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and the Development Partners Group (DPG). The event brought together senior government leaders, global CEOs, sector experts, and investors from 59 countries, positioning Ethiopia as a rising contender for capital flows into Africa. The European Chamber in Ethiopia was represented by its Executive Director and Board Chair, who advocated for deeper economic engagement and stronger public-private dialogue.
Ethiopia’s government used the two-day platform to reinforce its ongoing commitment to market liberalization, macroeconomic stability, and private-sector-led growth. With GDP growth reaching 8.1% in 2024, officials underscored that the country is restructuring its policy and legal architecture to sustain Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Finance Minister Ahmed Shide emphasized the role of the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, now entering a deeper implementation phase. “We are opening up key sectors like telecom, banking, logistics, and aviation and our monetary policy has been revised to align with market realities,” he said.
This was echoed by Mamo Mihretu, Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, who described macroeconomic reforms, including the transition to a market-based foreign exchange system, as essential to boosting investor confidence. He emphasized the central bank’s efforts to stabilize currency, liberalize foreign exchange, and control inflation.
The forum’s headline outcome was the signing of US$1.6 billion in foreign investment agreements with five multinational firms, primarily in the energy and mining sectors. These deals will be executed within Special Economic Zones (SEZs), an instrument Ethiopia is using to de-risk projects and consolidate investor infrastructure. Dr Zeleke Temesgen, Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, pointed to the presence of investors from 59 countries as a clear sign of confidence in Ethiopia’s economic and investment reforms. He reiterated the government’s strong resolve to facilitate and support foreign investors.
Ethiopian Investment Holdings, represented by Dr Brook Taye, outlined the government’s readiness to provide tangible support to investors, from capital facilitation and land allocation to legal advisory services, signalling a move toward more responsive and partnership-oriented investment governance. Justice Minister Hanna Arayaselassie, on the other hand, reminded participants that many sectors previously closed to foreign investment are now open, thanks to recent legislative reforms.
With participation from dozens of multinational enterprises, the forum spotlighted strategic opportunities in renewable energy, agribusiness, ICT, digital infrastructure, mining, manufacturing, and tourism. Sessions also emphasized Ethiopia’s connectivity advantage through regional logistics corridors and industrial parks linked to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
A hallmark of the forum was the institutionalization of Public-Private Dialogue (PPD). Rather than hosting one-off conversations, the government used the platform to launch a more permanent mechanism for investor engagement. State Minister of Finance, Dr Eyob Tekalign, confirmed that sector-specific technical workshops would follow, focusing on customs reform, local governance, and tax administration. The initiative was well received by the private sector. Chambers of commerce representing FDI associations praised the move toward predictability, fairness, and consultative governance.
As Ethiopia prepares to host future editions of the business forum, the 2025 event marked a turning point in how the country markets itself as both a frontier with potential and a maturing investment destination with the systems and leadership to match.