Ethiopia Intensifies Crackdown Against Suspected Corruption Networks Across Key Sectors

Addis Ababa, August 6, 2026 (FMC) — The Ethiopian government has intensified measures against suspected corruption networks and illegal activities across key sectors, with a number of individuals and organizations facing legal action as part of efforts to protect national resources and support ongoing economic reforms.

The Government Communication Service (GCS) said extensive operations have been conducted against actors allegedly involved in corruption, illegal trade practices, financial crimes, and activities affecting the country’s macroeconomic reform efforts.

Government Communication Service Minister Ms. Enatalem Meles said corruption and illegal practices have remained major challenges to Ethiopia’s development efforts, with organized actors attempting to exploit financial and trade systems, contributing to foreign currency shortages, inflationary pressures, smuggling, and artificial shortages of essential goods.

The government said enforcement measures have been taken in several sectors, including trade, finance, mining, fuel supply, agriculture, energy, labor migration, and revenue administration.

In the trade sector, more than 7,000 businesses and warehouses involved in illegal activities were sealed, while owners of 13 supplier companies accused of hoarding essential goods to create shortages and increase prices were warned.

In financial operations, 169 Ethiopian and foreign nationals accused of illegal money transfers, informal remittance activities, and black-market foreign currency dealings faced legal measures.

Thirty-six individuals accused of organized fraud involving bank customers’ accounts were arrested and their accounts frozen, while seven cryptocurrency applications allegedly linked to illegal transactions were blocked. Legal action was also taken against 29 exporters accused of failing to return foreign currency earnings.

The government said 38 betting companies accused of tax evasion, concealing income, and illegal financial transactions were targeted, with their owners arrested and accounts frozen.

In the mining sector, 183 individuals, including government officials, security personnel, producers, and foreign nationals, faced legal measures over alleged involvement in illegal gold trading and smuggling. The government said illegal gold, gold weighing and melting equipment, foreign currencies, and firearms were seized.

The statement added that more than 650 individuals, fuel stations, and supplier companies involved in illegal fuel trading faced legal action, while measures were also taken against officials accused of corruption in fertilizer procurement, unauthorized electricity sales, labor migration, and revenue administration.

In the revenue and customs sector, 109 suspects were identified for allegedly reducing tax assessments, issuing fraudulent receipts, and manipulating systems to reduce government revenues. Of these, 91 individuals were placed under legal custody.

Ms. Enatalem Meles said the government remains committed to combating corruption and theft through modern systems, stronger institutions, and disciplined leadership, calling on the public to support efforts by reporting illegal practices and avoiding cooperation with unlawful actors.