State Minister urges analytical rigor, responsible discourse at Ethiopian economy conference

Addis Ababa, July 19, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s State Minister of Finance, Dr. Eyob Tekalign, has called for greater analytical integrity and professional responsibility in shaping national economic narratives, as he officially opened the 22nd International Conference on the Ethiopian Economy on Friday.

Organized by the Ethiopian Economics Association (EEA), the annual conference serves as a key platform for economic experts, policymakers, and academics to engage in evidence-based dialogue on Ethiopia’s economic trajectory.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Eyob commended the EEA for its over two decades of dedicated contribution to policy-relevant research. He emphasized the Association’s vital role in fostering informed discourse and supporting national development through rigorous economic analysis.

The State Minister presented an overview of the country’s macroeconomic reform program, pointing to tangible progress in areas such as inflation management, improved export performance, enhanced public revenue mobilization, and strides toward debt sustainability.

Yet, beyond these achievements, Dr. Eyob drew attention to an emerging concern within the public policy space: the growing need for clarity, discipline, and responsibility in economic communication. “In recent months, we have seen how ambiguous messaging and misuse of statistics—particularly on critical matters like debt—can undermine public trust and generate unnecessary confusion,” he noted.

“In a fast-paced information landscape, rigor and clarity are not luxuries—they are indispensable to national progress,” Dr. Eyob stressed, urging economists, researchers, and commentators to uphold high standards of professionalism and avoid politicized or sensational interpretations.

He also underscored the EEA’s distinctive position as a respected and independent institution, with a responsibility to provide sober, evidence-driven economic insight that supports sound policymaking.

Reaffirming the Ministry of Finance’s commitment to collaboration, Dr. Eyob expressed readiness to strengthen institutional partnerships with the EEA and other stakeholders dedicated to fostering transparent, research-based policy development.

The International Conference on the Ethiopian Economy continues to serve as one of the country’s most significant forums for shaping economic policy and deepening scholarly engagement on Ethiopia’s development agenda.