Open for Investment: Ethiopia's Policy Transformation Unlocks Potential Across Key Sectors
Co-hosted by Afriwise and Mekdes & Associates, this high-impact webinar features government leaders, regulators, and private sector investors sharing insider perspectives on Ethiopia’s unprecedented wave of legal, financial, and economic reforms. From banking sector liberalisation and forex reforms to the rise of sovereign-backed investment partnerships and investor-friendly regulation, this session dives deep into what makes Ethiopia one of the continent’s most promising investment frontiers.
Key Insights and Takeaways
Ethiopia is Undergoing Bold Economic Reforms to Attract Foreign Investment
Ethiopia has launched a far-reaching reform agenda aimed at transforming its economy from state-led to private sector-driven. Key legal and policy changes, including a revamped investment proclamation, liberalised banking and telecom sectors, and new special economic zone legislation, are making Ethiopia more attractive to both domestic and international investors. These reforms signal a deliberate shift to foster economic diversification and reduce barriers to entry across strategic sectors such as agriculture, ICT, energy, real estate and manufacturing.
Financial Sector Liberalisation is Unlocking New Opportunities for Global Banks
For the first time in over 50 years, Ethiopia has opened its banking sector to foreign participation through a series of regulatory changes, including a new banking business proclamation and a flexible foreign exchange regime. Foreign banks can now enter the market via subsidiaries, joint ventures, branches or representative offices. This marks a turning point for financial inclusion, currency stability and access to capital, critical elements for sustained investment and private sector growth.
Institutional Support and Sovereign Investment Vehicles Are Catalysing Investor Confidence
Entities such as Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the country’s sovereign wealth fund, are playing a vital role in de-risking investments and fast-tracking public-private partnerships. With over $9 billion in recent foreign exchange revenue and 36 projects in the pipeline, EIH demonstrates the government’s commitment to being an active co-investor. At the same time, one-stop-shop service centres and a national civil service reform are being launched to reduce bureaucracy, improve public sector efficiency and enhance the ease of doing business.
This is your front-row seat to the policies, players, and priorities driving Ethiopia’s economic transformation.
