Development Key to Peace and National Progress, Industry Minister Says

Addis Ababa, May 31, 2025 (FMC) — Minister of Industry Melaku Alebel has underscored that ensuring sustainable development is fundamental to building lasting peace and advancing Ethiopia’s national progress.

Delivering remarks at the Oromia Investment Forum 2025, held at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, the Minister stressed that economic growth is inseparable from national stability. “Development is critical to sustaining peace in Ethiopia,” he said, calling for coordinated efforts to strengthen investment-led growth across the country.

Melaku emphasized that the Oromia region plays a significant role in advancing Ethiopia’s overall development goals. He noted that recent macroeconomic reforms have opened up opportunities for foreign direct investment, and urged stakeholders to take full advantage of the favorable environment.

The Minister also highlighted key government measures to support investors, including revised policies, targeted strategies, and incentive packages—particularly in the manufacturing sector. Expanding energy production, he added, remains a national priority to meet the growing demands of industrialization.

He called on both local and international investors to harness Ethiopia’s potential in sectors such as agro-processing, pointing out that 78 percent of the country’s exports remain unprocessed agricultural products. “Investors have a key role in transforming this landscape by adding value, enhancing competitiveness, and substituting imports,” he said.

Melaku further stressed the importance of adopting cutting-edge technologies to boost the quality and global competitiveness of Ethiopian products.

The forum brought together Oromia Chief Administrator Shimelis Abdisa, Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission Zeleke Temesgen, ambassadors, development partners, and both domestic and international investors.

In his address, Shimelis reaffirmed the Oromia government’s readiness to support investors and create a seamless investment experience. He said new economic zones are being established and existing industrial parks are being upgraded to special economic zones. He also urged financial institutions to extend greater support to investors in mining, manufacturing, and other priority sectors.

Held under the theme “Unleashing Oromia’s Investment Potential: Building Trust, Improving Services, and Driving Growth,” the forum showcased Ethiopia’s investment opportunities, with a call to global investors to engage in transformative economic sectors.

The event also featured a presentation by the Huajian Group, a Chinese company investing in Oromia, which shared its experience in Ethiopia under the theme “Jointly Build a High-standard China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.”

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