Addis Ababa, June 30, 2026 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said that Ethiopia’s tourism sector is increasingly driving job creation, investment flows, small business expansion, and national cohesion as the country advances an inclusive economic growth agenda.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with NBC Ethiopia under the theme “Tourism: The New Engine of the Economy,” the Prime Minister said tourism is generating broad-based benefits across different segments of society and the economy.
He noted that the sector is creating immediate domestic markets that support local industries, as visitors purchase Ethiopian manufactured products, traditional clothing, handicrafts, local cuisine, and cultural experiences.
According to the Prime Minister, this growing activity is directly benefiting thousands of small businesses and informal sector operators, including artisans, craft producers, coffee vendors, and service providers.
He further explained that tourism is also contributing to foreign direct investment inflows, as international visitors often identify business opportunities during their travels and later return as investors in promising sectors.
The Prime Minister said tourism revenues are also being channeled into broader national development priorities, including heritage preservation, protection of natural ecosystems, development of eco-tourism destinations, and expansion of modern infrastructure.
He emphasized that the impact of tourism extends beyond economic outcomes, highlighting its role in strengthening national unity and social cohesion.
As Ethiopians travel across the country, he said, they gain deeper appreciation of the nation’s diverse cultures, histories, and traditions, which fosters mutual understanding, patriotism, and a stronger shared identity.
The Prime Minister concluded that the government’s decision to prioritize tourism reflects a deliberate national strategy to expand economic opportunities, strengthen social cohesion, and position Ethiopia more competitively within the global tourism economy.