Addis Ababa, June 4, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers, in its 48th regular session held today, approved a bilateral agreement with Nigeria that waives visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service passports, marking a significant step toward enhancing bilateral relations and easing official travel between the two nations.
The agreement aims to eliminate visa barriers for high-ranking government officials and diplomats, facilitating their official duties and strengthening cooperation between Ethiopia and Nigeria. The Council unanimously approved the draft and resolved to forward it to the House of People’s Representatives for further deliberation and final endorsement.
In addition to this diplomatic development, the Council also reviewed and approved two financial agreements with the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) which amount to around 1 billion USD.
The first relates to the Second Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Development Policy Operation (DPO), while the second supports the Expressway Development Support Project. The agreements, amounting to SDR 258.1 million and SDR 27.3 million respectively, are interest-free, carry a 0.75% service charge, and come with a six-year grace period as part of long-term concessional financing.
After confirming that the agreements are aligned with Ethiopia’s debt management strategy, the Council unanimously approved them and referred the draft proclamations to the House for ratification.
The Council also discussed and approved an amendment to the Federal Income Tax Proclamation. According to the Office of the Prime Minister, the amendment addresses gaps in the current tax law and reflects evolving national and international economic conditions. The revised proclamation aims to strengthen the efficiency, fairness, and integrity of the tax system in line with fundamental principles of taxation.
The amendment will also be forwarded to the House of People’s Representatives for final consideration and endorsement.