Ethiopia’s Reform-Driven Economy Creating Stronger Investor Confidence — Foreign Minister

Addis Ababa, June 26, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos has underscored that his country’s ongoing economic reform programme is strengthening investor confidence by fostering a more competitive, stable, and predictable business environment, as Ethiopia continues to deepen engagement with international partners at the UK–Ethiopia Trade and Investment Forum in London.

The Foreign Minister made the remarks while opening the forum, where he highlighted that the reform agenda is already yielding tangible results, reflected in improved economic performance, growing private sector participation, and increasing interest from global investors.

He pointed to a wide range of priority investment sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, mining, energy, infrastructure, finance, healthcare, and technology, noting that these areas continue to attract rising international attention as Ethiopia advances its economic transformation.

The forum brought together government officials, investors, and business leaders from Ethiopia and the United Kingdom to strengthen trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

Representing the UK Government, Acting HM Trade Commissioner for Africa Ben Ainsley reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to deepening economic cooperation with Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Biruk Mekonnen also highlighted the opportunities emerging from the reform process and encouraged greater participation of British investors.

Panel discussions focused on agribusiness, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, logistics, and the digital economy, with participants emphasizing Ethiopia’s expanding market size, reform momentum, and strategic position as a gateway to African markets.

Among the contributors to the panel sessions were State Minister of the Government Communication Service Tesfahun Gobezay and Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Billene Seyoum, who outlined developments in agribusiness and digital transformation, stressing their importance in driving Ethiopia’s broader economic outlook.

The first day of the forum was concluded by Deputy Chief of Mission at the Ethiopian Embassy in London Lalisa Berhanu, who noted that the event reflected the strength of Ethiopia–UK relations and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to remaining an open and reliable investment destination.

The second day of the forum focused on business-to-government engagements, where investors held discussions with Ethiopian officials and potential financiers on large-scale projects in infrastructure, agriculture, irrigation, energy, and industrial development. The discussions are expected to support the formation of future investment partnerships.

The two-day forum was jointly organized by the Government of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Embassy in London, the Government of the United Kingdom, and DMA Invest.