Ethiopia’s Development Progress Anchored in Homegrown Reforms and Strategic Vision — PM Office Press Secretary

Addis Ababa, June 26, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s notable transformation over the past seven to eight years has been driven by deliberate planning, strategic vision, and sustained efforts to unlock the country’s vast untapped potential, according to the Press Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, Billene Seyoum.

She made the remarks during the Ethio–UK Trade and Investment Forum 2026 held in London, which aimed to strengthen trade, investment, and broader economic cooperation between Ethiopia and the United Kingdom.

Speaking on Ethiopia’s development priorities, Billene emphasized that the country’s progress is firmly anchored in the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, a comprehensive framework designed to drive sustainable growth, enhance competitiveness, and lay the foundation for long-term economic transformation.

She noted that agriculture continues to serve as the backbone of the Ethiopian economy and remains a central pillar of the reform program. Mining, she added, has also emerged as a strategic growth sector, while manufacturing and industrialization present significant untapped opportunities for both domestic and foreign investment.

Billene stated that Ethiopia’s ongoing transformation is rooted in deliberate policy direction aimed at enabling the country to fully realize its development potential.

She further identified information and communication technology (ICT) and digitalization as key pillars of the economic transformation, describing them as both strategic sectors and cross-cutting enablers of growth across the broader economy.

Although energy is not formally categorized as a standalone pillar within the reform framework, she stressed that it remains a critical enabler supporting progress across agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and digital transformation.

Reflecting on Ethiopia’s digital journey, Billene highlighted the rapid technological progress achieved over the past decade. She noted that less than eight years ago, access to basic ATM services was considered a major milestone, whereas today the country is increasingly embracing advanced digital solutions and emerging technologies at a much faster pace.

She underscored Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s commitment to digital transformation, stating that Ethiopia is not merely following traditional development pathways but is actively pursuing a strategy of leapfrogging stages of technological development by leveraging global experiences and innovations.

Billene further stated that Ethiopia’s advantage lies in its ability to learn from international best practices, adapt emerging technologies, and tailor them to national realities and development priorities.

She added that this forward-looking approach is helping the country accelerate modernization, expand economic opportunities, strengthen competitiveness, and build a more resilient, digitally enabled future.