Ethiopia and U.S. Review Reform Progress, Investment and Economic Cooperation

Addis Ababa, January 28, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide, on Tuesday held high-level talks with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, focusing on progress in Ethiopia’s macroeconomic reform program, investment opportunities, and broader economic cooperation between the two countries.

The discussions reviewed the implementation of Ethiopia’s ongoing macroeconomic reform agenda and explored avenues to expand bilateral economic engagement.

Minister Ahmed, accompanied by Minister of Planning and Development Fitsum Assefa and National Bank of Ethiopia Governor Eyob Tekalign, briefed the U.S. delegation on recent reform outcomes, highlighting improvements in macroeconomic stability and an increasingly positive economic outlook.

He noted that the reform measures have significantly strengthened the investment climate, creating more competitive and attractive opportunities across key sectors of the economy.

The Minister also underscored the growing Ethiopia–United States partnership and expressed appreciation for the U.S. Government’s recent commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s health sector. He further acknowledged continued U.S. support for Ethiopia’s development efforts through multilateral financial institutions.

During the meeting, Minister Ahmed briefed Deputy Secretary Landau on Ethiopia’s flagship New International Airport Project, emphasizing its strategic importance for economic growth, regional connectivity, and trade facilitation. He called for greater participation by U.S. financial institutions and contractors in the development of the project.

Deputy Secretary Landau commended the Government of Ethiopia for the progress achieved under the macroeconomic reform program and expressed strong interest in expanding U.S. business engagement and investment in the country. He reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening the Ethiopia–United States partnership, enhancing private-sector engagement, and advancing mutually beneficial cooperation in support of Ethiopia’s sustainable economic development.