Invest in Ethiopia Forum Concludes with Record Investment Commitments
Ethiopia Highlights Progressive Tobacco Control Policy at WHO Workshop in Abidjan
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
The 11th Summit of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) took place from March 27–29, 2026, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. President Taye Atske-Selassie addressed the Summit, urging stronger and more genuine partnerships to advance shared strategic interests and collectively tackle common challenges. (See article)
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos, received Nikolay Spassky, Deputy Director General of Russia’s Rosatom State Corporation, on Wednesday (April 01). The Minister highlighted the longstanding Ethiopia-Russia friendship as a strong foundation for strategic cooperation and welcomed progress on the nuclear cooperation agreement signed last September. Discussions also covered the Strategic Roadmap for Nuclear Energy Development and steps to implement the peaceful use of nuclear energy agreement.
On the same day, Gedion met with IGAD’s Special Envoy for South Sudan, Ambassador Moussa Djama. The envoy briefed the Minister on IGAD’s peace efforts in South Sudan. Gedion reaffirmed Ethiopia’s strong support and readiness to assist the Office of the Special Envoy.
Ethiopia’s high-level delegation, led by Kassahun Gofe, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration and Chief Negotiator for WTO Accession, and Ambassador Hadera Abera, State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Chief Negotiator, participated in the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 26–29 March 2026. (See article)
Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide on Tuesday (March 31) met with the President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to deepen partnership between Ethiopia and the Bank. They discussed priority infrastructure projects, including the Bishoftu International Airport (BIA), and ways to mobilize private sector financing. The Minister stressed the airport’s strategic role in strengthening Ethiopia as a regional aviation hub and driving long-term economic growth. Both sides reaffirmed commitment to sustainable infrastructure development and private-sector-led growth.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye on Tuesday (March 31) announced the launch of two new digital platforms, “Tele Sign” and “Digital MoFA,” aimed at improving efficiency and expanding access to the Ministry’s services. The platforms form part of the Ministry’s broader institutional reform efforts and support the country’s Digital Ethiopia 2025 initiative and will enable the diaspora and other users to access consular services securely and conveniently from anywhere in the world.
State Minister of Finance, Semereta Sewasew, on Sunday (March 29) met with a delegation from the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), led by Heather Lanigan, Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, to discuss strategic cooperation in enhancing private sector engagement and infrastructure development in Ethiopia. The meeting highlighted Ethiopia’s shift from government-led investment to private sector growth, with the IMF program opening new opportunities for international partnerships.
Ethiopia has assumed the Chairship of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU PSC) for the month of April 2026 and will officially commence presiding over the Council’s agenda on April 7, 2026. This marks the first time Ethiopia will chair the Council since rejoining it in April 2025.
Ethiopia’s Permanent Representative to the AU and UNECA, Ambassador Hirut Zemene, led Ethiopia’s delegation to the induction and retreat of the AU Peace and Security Council in Matsapha, the Kingdom of Eswatini, on Wednesday (April 1). The delegation stressed aligning reforms of African Governance Architecture (AGA) and the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) with evolving global dynamics and highlighted the need to strengthen financing for peace and security programs, while commending efforts to enhance early warning and conflict prevention capacity.
Ethiopia’s fourth annual Invest in Ethiopia Forum has delivered a landmark outcome, finalizing more than USD 13 billion in investment agreements, well above the initial target of USD 2.4 billion. The two-day event, held March 26-27 in Addis Ababa, convened over 800 international investors, policymakers and development partners from more than 70 countries. (See article)
The Ethiopian delegation from Ethiopian Airlines Group and the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday (March 31) held a constructive meeting with the Bank of China to advance discussions on funding for the Bishoftu International Airport (BIA). The meeting ended with a mutual commitment to facilitate the Bank’s potential contribution to the successful financing and implementation of the project.
An Ethiopian delegation composed of representatives from the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in a regional workshop on the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, held in Abidjan from 23–25 March 2026. (See article)
The 10th Ethio Health International Trade Exhibition and Conference, alongside the Second National Medical Equipment Manufacturing and Innovation Exhibition, officially opened on Thursday (April 02) at the Addis International Convention Center. This year’s event highlights the strengthening of local manufacturing and innovation in the medical sector.
A two-day training and experience-sharing program for women diplomats was held in Adama City last weekend. Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Office for Women and Social Affairs Inclusive Implementation in collaboration with UN Women, the initiative aimed to enhance professional effectiveness, strengthen leadership capacities, and provide a platform for exchanging experiences.
Somalia
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Abdisalam Ali, took part in the 11th Summit of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The Minister delivered Somalia’s statement, outlining priorities on economic cooperation and multilateral engagement.
South Sudan
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Monday Semaya K. Kumba, received UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix for a briefing on the country’s political and security situation. The Minister commended the strong partnership between the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and cooperation across key sectors.
On Monday (March 30), Foreign Minister Monday Semaya met UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban. Discussions focused on the situation in South Sudan, especially the condition of children, stressing the need for peaceful solutions, protection of civilians, and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Africa and the African union
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, at the 58th ECA Finance Ministers’ meeting in Tangier, Morocco, on Thursday (April 02) stressed Africa’s urgent need for digital sovereignty, citing limited internet access due to energy, transport infrastructure, and financing bottlenecks.
Ahead of the conference, the AU Chairperson met Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to discuss strengthening AU-Morocco cooperation and advancing partnership in line with Agenda 2063.
Earlier on Monday (March 30), the Chairperson received Pekka Haavisto, Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Sudan. The Chairperson congratulated him on his appointment and reaffirmed the AU’s readiness to work closely with the UN on a coordinated response. He stressed that any political process must be Sudanese-owned and inclusive. Mr. Haavisto commended the AU’s mediation leadership and pledged full cooperation.
President Taye Addresses the 11th Summit of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS)
The 11th Summit of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) was held from March 27–29, 2026, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The Summit convened Heads of State and Government, ministers, senior officials, and key international partners to deliberate on the organization’s future direction in a rapidly evolving global environment. Under the theme “A Transformed and Renewed OACPS in a Changing World,” the Summit served as a platform for redefining priorities, strengthening cooperation, and addressing emerging global challenges affecting member states.
The Summit was attended by leaders and representatives from all 79 member states, alongside high-level participants from major international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, the European Commission, and the African Union, as well as regional bodies from the Caribbean and Pacific. It aimed to reposition the organization in response to shifting geopolitical, economic, and environmental realities. Main objectives included advancing institutional reform, strengthening unity and solidarity, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and deepening global partnerships. Deliberations focused on navigating complex global challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and digital transformation, resulting in the adoption of the Malabo Declaration. The implementation of the Samoa Agreement was highlighted as a key priority to deepen partnerships, particularly with the European Union.
Prior to the Summit, several pre-summit forums were held, including the Business Summit, Women’s Forum, Youth Forum, and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Forum. Outcomes from these forums were presented and discussed at the Summit, enriching its overall deliberations and conclusions.
Ethiopia actively participated in the Summit, led by President Taye Atske-Selassie. In his address, the President called for stronger and more genuine partnerships to advance shared strategic interests and effectively respond to common challenges. He emphasized the importance of leveraging the organization’s diversity as a strategic asset, noting that in a rapidly shifting global political and economic landscape, unity and cohesion are essential to safeguarding the collective interests of member states.
President Taye stressed the need to deepen South-South cooperation and advocated for a redefinition of engagement with middle- and high-income partners, moving beyond traditional donor-recipient relationships toward balanced, mutually beneficial partnerships. He identified sustainable development, climate-resilient growth, and peace and security as critical areas for joint action.
The President also noted that Ethiopia will host the upcoming COP32 Climate Change Conference, presenting it as a strategic opportunity for member states to showcase progress in green development and climate resilience.
The Summit produced several significant outcomes. Most notably, the Malabo Declaration was adopted, outlining the shared vision and commitments of member states, emphasizing unity, sustainable development, institutional transformation, and enhanced global engagement. Another key outcome was a resource-mobilization initiative to address the organization’s financial challenges, with member states collectively pledging €12.8 million to support the effort.
The 11th Summit in Malabo successfully reinforced OACPS unity at a crucial milestone. By focusing on transformation, strengthening internal operations, and leveraging the Samoa Agreement, the organization aims to increase its impact in a rapidly changing world. The commitments outlined in the Malabo Declaration set the agenda for the next phase of OACPS leadership.
The Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) is an intergovernmental organization comprising 79 member countries across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Its core mandate is to promote sustainable development, reduce poverty, and support the effective integration of its members into the global economy. The organization recently marked its 50th anniversary, commemorated under the theme “A Transformed and Renewed OACPS in a Changing World.”
Since its establishment in 1975, the OACPS has served as a strategic platform for advancing South-South cooperation, strengthening multilateral engagement, and promoting the collective interests of its member states. Over the past five decades, it has played a critical role in coordinating common positions and amplifying the voices of developing countries in international decision-making arenas. Its priorities have consistently included development finance, trade, sustainable development, democracy and governance, climate action, and digital governance. Representing over 1.1 billion people across three continents, the organization remains uniquely positioned to advocate for equity, justice, and inclusive governance in the global system.
Over the years, the OACPS has evolved from a primarily development-focused cooperation framework into a broader political and economic alliance. This transformation is reflected in strengthened and diversified partnership arrangements, notably through frameworks such as the Samoa Agreement with the European Union.
Ethiopian Delegation Concludes Successful Participation at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organization
For the second time since its founding in 1995 on African soil, following the inaugural conference held in Marrakech, the Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) convened its 14th session in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 26–29 March 2026.
With a strategic priority focused on advancing its accession process, Ethiopia’s high-level delegation, led by Kassahun Gofe, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration and Chief Negotiator for WTO accession, and Ambassador Hadera Abera, State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Chief Negotiator, participated in the Conference. The delegation also included the Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia and technical experts.
MC14 provided Ethiopia with an important platform to advance its strategic objective of expediting its accession to the WTO. The Ethiopian delegation used the conference to deepen understanding with countries engaged in bilateral market access negotiations. These discussions were productive, and bilateral Market Access Agreements with India, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam are now poised to be finalized. In addition, candid and constructive discussions with the United States and European Union delegations injected renewed urgency into the process, reinforcing a shared commitment to accelerate Ethiopia’s path toward accession.
It is recalled that Ethiopia has already concluded bilateral market access agreements with two-thirds of the members that had requested such arrangements. Recognizing this encouraging progress, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala commended Ethiopia for fast-tracking its negotiations and for reaching the milestone completion of market access agreements with six WTO members.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the Ethiopian delegation participated in several meetings and events to highlight national and regional trade priorities. During the 14th China Accession Roundtable, Ethiopia emphasized that accession processes should be transparent, predictable, and development-sensitive. It also underscored the need for coordinated and sustained technical assistance, capacity-building, and post-accession support, while reaffirming the importance of consensus-based decision-making, legal certainty, and development-oriented reforms.
At the LDCs Ministerial Meeting, Ethiopia called for collective measures to address climate- and environment-related trade restrictions, volatility in food and energy prices, tightening financial conditions, and restrictive intellectual property measures that hinder technology transfer. At the High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Accelerating Africa’s Industrialization and the meeting of African Ministers, Ethiopia underscored multilateral rules and disciplines ensure industrialization and economic transformation and facilitate adequate and effective policy space for pursuing industrial development, food security, economic diversification, and technological upgrading.
Across all discussion segments and bilateral engagements, the Ethiopian delegation highlighted the country’s macroeconomic reform programs, which have significantly advanced the alignment of Ethiopia’s trade policies with the WTO rulebook. Ethiopia also emphasized the importance of leveraging trade as a driver of development and called on the international trading community to tap into the opportunities emerging across Africa’s trade and economic landscape.
MC14 took place at a critical juncture for the multilateral trading system, as core principles enshrined in the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO and earlier GATT rules, including MFN are facing increasing challenges. Despite these challenges and trade tensions among members, 72 percent of global merchandise trade operates under the MFN principle, underscoring the relevance of the WTO.
On the question of institutional reform, members concurred on the need for the WTO’s normative and institutional framework to reflect three decades of evolving global realities. At the same time, key questions remain on the extent of the reform, and the competing values of change and preservation. The package for the 14th Ministerial Conference included agenda items on dispute settlement reform, the moratorium on electronic commerce, negotiations on agriculture and fisheries subsidies, special and differential treatment, and the LDC package. While encouraging deliberations were held on diversity of topics and national positions, the Ministerial conference deferred many of the decisions to the Geneva process.
On the margins of MC14, the Ethiopian delegation held several bilateral meetings and engagements with WTO officials, including the Director-General and the Director of the WTO Accession Division. Discussions were also held with Ethiopia’s WTO accession Working Party Chair (the United Kingdom’s Deputy Representative to the WTO), as well as with heads of delegations from the United States, the European Union, India, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Yemen, Oman, Comoros, and Somalia. These exchanges focused on advancing Ethiopia’s WTO accession and strengthening trade, business, and development cooperation with the respective countries.
Invest in Ethiopia Forum Concludes with Record Investment Commitments
Ethiopia’s fourth annual Invest in Ethiopia Forum has delivered a landmark outcome, finalizing more than USD 13 billion in investment agreements, well above the initial target of USD 2.4 billion. The two-day event, held March 26-27 in Addis Ababa, convened over 800 international investors, policymakers and development partners from more than 70 countries.
The event is a flagship platform designed to advance the country’s investment agenda and strengthen engagement with global partners. Held at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, the gathering brought together government officials, business leaders and development partners to explore investment opportunities across key sectors of the Ethiopian economy.
The event was jointly organized by the Ethiopian Investment Commission, the Ministry of Finance of Ethiopia, and members of the Development Partners Group, reflecting a coordinated effort to promote Ethiopia’s evolving investment landscape and deepen partnerships with international investors.
In recent years, Ethiopia has undertaken wide-ranging reforms under its Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, aimed at strengthening macroeconomic stability, improving competitiveness, and expanding opportunities for private sector participation. Against this backdrop, the forum’s theme: “Ethiopia Ready for Business”, highlighted the country’s determination to foster a stable, transparent, and investor-friendly environment while encouraging international investors to explore the diverse opportunities available in the country.
The two-day forum served as a platform for high-level policy dialogue, sector-focused panel discussions, business-to-business engagements, exhibitions and site visits to key investment corridors. Discussions focused on priority sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, mining, renewable energy, information and communication technology, the digital economy, and tourism.
The 2026 forum concluded with investment agreements valued at more than USD 13 billion across priority sectors of the economy. The closing ceremony featured the signing of several large-scale deals spanning manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, energy, construction and other strategic industries.
These agreements reflect strong investor interest and long-term confidence in Ethiopia’s economic trajectory. The newly secured investments are expected to contribute significantly to job creation, foreign exchange generation and technology transfer, supporting the country’s ongoing economic transformation.
The results also build on the achievements of the Invest in Ethiopia 2025 Forum, which secured USD 1.6 billion in agreements that have since become operational and are contributing to national economic growth. The continued progress highlights the forum’s role as an important platform for connecting global investors with emerging opportunities in Ethiopia.
The agreements signed during the 2026 forum highlight a clear focus on strategic sectors aligned with Ethiopia’s long-term development priorities. The energy and green development sector accounts for the largest share of commitments, attracting more than USD 10.3 billion in investment. These projects include initiatives related to renewable energy development, green hydrogen production, and off-grid solar solutions aimed at supporting sustainable and resilient economic growth.
Investments in industrialization and manufacturing amount to approximately USD 2.5 billion, including projects focused on Special Economic Zone development as well as steel and pharmaceutical production. These initiatives are expected to expand Ethiopia’s industrial capacity and support the country’s drive toward value-added manufacturing.
In addition, USD 235 million has been committed to mining and resource development, particularly in the exploration of strategic minerals such as gold and lithium. Meanwhile, USD 100 million in investment has been directed toward urban development and commercial projects, supporting the continued expansion of Ethiopia’s urban and business infrastructure.
Together, these investments demonstrate Ethiopia’s forward-looking strategy of promoting industrial growth, expanding exports, advancing green energy, and fostering technological progress.
The strong outcome of the forum highlights growing international confidence in Ethiopia’s economic trajectory. With expanding opportunities across strategic sectors and an increasing pipeline of large-scale projects, the country continues to strengthen its position within the regional and global investment landscape.
In this context, the Invest in Ethiopia forum has emerged as a key platform for fostering partnerships among government institutions, international investors, and development partners, facilitating dialogue, networking, and concrete investment engagements.
The agreements reached during the forum also underscore the tangible progress being achieved through Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda. Taken together, these developments firmly position Ethiopia as a premier destination for global trade, tourism, and investment, while reinforcing the forum’s role in advancing long-term partnerships and expanding economic opportunities.
Ethiopia Highlights Progressive Tobacco Control Policy at WHO Workshop in Abidjan
An Ethiopian delegation composed of representatives from the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in a regional workshop on the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, held in Abidjan from 23–25 March 2026.
Organized by the WHO FCTC Secretariat in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Côte d’Ivoire, the workshop brought together thirteen African countries to review global responses aimed at combating illicit tobacco trade.
According to estimates by the World Health Organization, there are approximately 1.3 billion tobacco users worldwide, with 80 percent residing in low- and middle-income countries. Tobacco use is responsible for around eight million deaths annually, including approximately 1.6 million among non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke. The global economic cost of smoking alone is estimated at US$1.436 trillion, equivalent to 1.8 percent of global GDP, reflecting healthcare expenditures associated with tobacco-related diseases as well as losses in human capital. As a result, the WHO classifies the tobacco epidemic as one of the most significant public health threats globally.
Illicit trade in tobacco products increases the accessibility and affordability of such products, thereby fueling the tobacco epidemic and undermining tobacco control policies. It also results in substantial losses in government revenues. Estimates indicate that illicit trade accounts for about 11 percent of global tobacco trade, and its elimination could increase global tax revenues by an estimated US$47.4 billion annually.
During the workshop, the Ethiopian delegation shared the country’s experience in tobacco control and in addressing illicit tobacco trade. The delegation highlighted the comprehensive legal, policy, and institutional measures adopted domestically in line with WHO frameworks, including the national Proclamation No. 1112/2019. The legislation prohibits the manufacture, import, wholesale, or distribution of tobacco products without a special license. It also bans electronic nicotine delivery systems and prohibits the advertising of tobacco products through any medium. Furthermore, the law prohibits smoking or the use of tobacco products in indoor workplaces, indoor public places, all means of public transport, and common areas, and criminalizes the sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 21.
Tobacco control has become a major global public health priority over the past century, driven by the health, social, and economic consequences associated with tobacco use. Early regulatory efforts were largely undertaken at the national level, with countries adopting progressive measures to prevent tobacco consumption and regulate its production and trade. Ethiopia’s response to tobacco control dates back to 1941, when the production of tobacco was restricted to a centrally regulated body. Ethiopia has also aligned its tobacco tax policy with WHO recommendations, raising the excise tax rate to 20 birr per pack of 20 sticks, in addition to 30 percent of the product’s value.
Global efforts to address tobacco control intensified in the 1990s, culminating in the adoption of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2003, the first international treaty on the subject, which entered into force in 2005. The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, adopted in 2012, introduced measures to strengthen international cooperation on supply chain control, tracking and tracing systems, and enforcement collaboration. Ethiopia is among the early countries to ratify the Framework Convention and played an active role in the negotiation of the Protocol.
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