Addis Ababa, March 3, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia is seeking to secure more than 2.4 billion U.S. dollars in new investment commitments during the Fourth “Invest in Ethiopia 2026” Forum scheduled for March 26–27, 2026, in Addis Ababa.
The high-level forum, to be held at the Skylight Hotel under the theme “Ethiopia is Ready for Investment,” is being organized by the Ethiopian Investment Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and international development partners.
At a joint press briefing held today, Chief Commissioner of EIC Zeleke Temesgen said Ethiopia currently ranks second in Africa in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, describing the forum as a central instrument in the country’s strategy to position itself among the continent’s leading investment destinations.
He stated that this year’s platform aims to attract major “anchor investors” and conclude large-scale investment agreements. The forum is expected to draw more than 800 international investors, business executives and policymakers.
Reflecting on the third edition held last year, Zeleke noted that it brought together 750 participants from 58 countries and resulted in the signing of investment agreements valued at over 1.6 billion U.S. dollars with five major companies in the mining and solar energy sectors. According to him, those companies have since begun full operations, with several already exporting to international markets.
Officials indicated that discussions during the upcoming two-day forum are expected to culminate in the signing of new deals exceeding 2.4 billion U.S. dollars.
State Minister of Finance Semereta Sewasew said Ethiopia’s ongoing economic reforms are primarily aimed at attracting foreign investment and strengthening the domestic economy. She added that the forum will serve as a platform to present progress made in improving the business environment and expanding private sector participation.
Maryam Salim, Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan and South Sudan at the World Bank, pointed to recent macroeconomic stabilization efforts and the opening of previously restricted sectors as indicators of reform momentum. She noted that sustained, private-sector-led reforms could enable Ethiopia to achieve broad-based and inclusive growth.
In addition to the main forum, a Public-Private Dialogue is scheduled for March 10, 2026, at the Skylight Hotel to facilitate direct engagement between government officials and private sector representatives on measures to further enhance the investment climate.
The Fourth “Invest in Ethiopia” Forum forms part of the country’s broader efforts to expand foreign direct investment inflows and deepen engagement with global capital markets.