Private Sector and Public Partnerships Drive Ethiopia’s Tourism Revival, Says PM Abiy

Addis Ababa, June 30, 2026 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said that the private sector has played an irreplaceable role in the ongoing revitalization of Ethiopia’s tourism industry, working in close partnership with government-led initiatives and public participation.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with NBC Ethiopia under the theme “Tourism: The New Engine of the Economy,” the Prime Minister said tangible progress has been recorded in tourism development projects implemented through public-private collaboration.

He noted that tourism infrastructure development has been structured around four core pillars: tourist destinations, hospitality accommodations, transport networks, and digital infrastructure.

Over the past years, major achievements have been registered through flagship initiatives including Dine for Sheger, Dine for the Nation, and Dine for Generation, which have supported the expansion and transformation of tourism destinations across the country.

The Prime Minister said the Dine for Sheger initiative has visibly transformed Addis Ababa, while Dine for the Nation has driven development across multiple regional localities. He added that under the Dine for Generation framework, projects in Arba Minch and Jimma are nearing completion, with the Arba Minch site expected to be inaugurated in the coming days.

He further stated that these national initiatives continue to produce tangible and transformative results across urban and regional landscapes.

The Prime Minister also noted that in recent months, seven new airports have been constructed, alongside extensive expansion of road networks aimed at improving accessibility to tourism destinations.

He explained that the Gebeta projects have helped dismantle long-standing structural bottlenecks that previously constrained Ethiopia’s tourism sector.

According to the Prime Minister, the private sector has made vital and irreplaceable contributions to these developments, both through direct investment and participation in public-private partnerships.

He added that private investors have contributed significant resources, including investments exceeding 5 million birr per project, while also independently developing various tourism-related resorts and facilities.

The Prime Minister said these developments have not only attracted new investors into the tourism sector but have also encouraged existing developers to expand their projects and improve destination quality.

He further emphasized that public participation has also been essential, particularly in environmental protection and the preservation of natural sites, noting that such large-scale development efforts cannot succeed without community engagement.

He cited examples of public involvement in areas such as Entoto, Wonchi Eco-Tourism, Lake Logo, and Bale National Park.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the role of Ethiopia’s friendly countries in supporting tourism development beyond domestic resources. He noted that the United Arab Emirates supported the construction of the Arat Kilo Palace, while France contributed to the renovation of the National Palace.

He added that Italy has also provided support for similar development projects underway in Jimma.

The Prime Minister concluded that the ongoing revival of Ethiopia’s tourism sector is the result of a combined effort involving citizens, the private sector, and international partners, working together to unlock the country’s tourism potential.