Addis Ababa, June 10, 2025 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has urged Ethiopia’s business community to work closely with the government to curb corruption and strengthen accountability across public institutions.
The Prime Minister made the call during a consultative meeting held with business leaders drawn from across the country.
The forum was organized as part of the government’s preparations for the upcoming fiscal year, with the aim of incorporating feedback from the private sector into national planning processes.
During the discussion, the Prime Minister stressed that the government utilizes all public resources for national development and rejected claims of widespread corruption within federal institutions.
PM Abiy pointed to the urban redevelopment project in the Aware area of Addis Ababa as an example of transparent governance, noting that more than 3,000 families had received free housing through proceeds generated from the sale of his books.
He acknowledged the existence of isolated incidents of misconduct, including public servants demanding bribes in exchange for services, and confirmed that appropriate legal and administrative actions are being taken against those involved.
The Prime Minister called on the business community and institutions such as the Revenue and Customs Authority to play an active role by reporting instances of bribery and malpractice in government offices.
He underlined that no government official, including ministers, would remain in office if credible evidence of corruption is presented against them.
While encouraging public vigilance, he also cautioned against politically or ethnically motivated accusations that lack substantiation, warning that such practices undermine efforts to ensure genuine accountability.
He concluded by emphasizing that the government alone cannot eliminate corruption and that reducing it requires the full cooperation of the business sector and the wider public.