Addis Ababa, June 26, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Minister of Urban and Infrastructure, Ms. Chaltu Sani, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing robust support for foreign investors entering the country’s construction sector, highlighting the sector’s role as a driving force in Ethiopia’s economic transformation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the third Big 5 Construct Ethiopia and the inaugural East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo, the Minister emphasized that construction continues to outpace other economic sub-sectors in its contribution to national growth, job creation, and technological advancement.
Held at Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa, the event brought together senior government officials, including Education Minister Prof. Berhanu Nega, Innovation and Technology Minister Belete Molla (PhD), ambassadors, stakeholders, and international investors from more than 20 countries.
Minister Chaltu underscored that the construction sector is not only capital-intensive and labor-absorbing but also central to technological progress and cross-sectoral linkages. She cited key national achievements such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, railway development, “Dine for Ethiopia” and “Dine for Generation” as well as “Dine for Sheger” initiatives, and major infrastructure mega projects under the Ten-Year National Development Plan as milestones demonstrating the sector’s momentum.
She also noted that, over the past seven years, Ethiopia has made significant strides in expanding its construction capacity, both in scale and complexity.
According to the Minister, the government has launched a Construction Sector Transformation Initiative aimed at fostering coordination among stakeholders and building long-term competitiveness.
The Minister expressed the government’s intention to continue strengthening partnerships with both local and international actors, noting that macroeconomic reforms have enhanced the country’s investment climate and empowered domestic manufacturing.
She highlighted Ethiopia’s ambition for homegrown construction firms to become globally competitive within the coming years and expressed confidence that the Expo will facilitate vital exchanges in innovation, technology transfer, and operational systems.
The exhibitions, running until June 28, feature participation from 127 international and 39 local companies, with exhibitors from countries including China, Germany, India, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates.
The platform is expected to contribute to knowledge-sharing, skill development, and partnership-building in a sector poised for continued expansion.