ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – October 03, 2025 – The Ethiopia Human Capital Forum 2025, co-hosted by the Government of Ethiopia and the World Bank Group, continued its proceedings today at the Adwa Memorial Hall, focusing on technical sessions and a deep dive into the state of human capital. The forum is held under the theme: “Building Skills, Fueling Jobs, Driving Development”.

Opening the second day event, State Minister Mr. Bereket Fissehatsion emphasized the nation’s commitment to human capital development, noting that "Human capital, our people, skills, knowledge and experience is the most powerful engine of growth and the most reliable pathway out of poverty". He highlighted that the majority of public funding is already channeled toward this priority “Nearly 60% of our public spending is now directed towards human capital reflecting our government’s commitment to investing in people,” the State Minister asserted.

While acknowledging remarkable strides, the State Minister pointed out persistent challenges, including stunting, youth unemployment, and gender disparities in the labor market. Drawing on the World Bank’s flagship report, he stressed that human capital must be built not just in schools and clinics, but “also in homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces”. He concluded that, ultimately, “Human capital is not only a social concept. It is an economic imperative”.

H.E. British Ambassador Darren Welch, representing the United Kingdom, commended the hosts for organizing the event, stressing that the area of human capital development is "centrality... to a country’s long-term sustainable growth".  He affirmed the UK’s long-standing partnership, which has contributed to remarkable gains in Ethiopia, including “doubling the enrollment of children in education to 23 and a half million”. Looking forward, the UK is reforming its approach, shifting away from focusing on basic service delivery and toward “building strong and sustainable systems that can be powered by domestic finance”. Ambassador Welch also underscored the continued focus on women and girls, noting that that is “where the biggest returns are to be had”.

Mr. Abebe Chekol of the Gates Foundation issued a powerful call for concerted action, emphasizing that the “true wealth of Ethiopia lies not in the ground beneath us but in the potential within us”. Mr. Chekol stated that the nature of the investment is on “Investing in health, education and skills is not charity. It’s the foundation for prosperity, resilience and justice.”

Day Two of the Forum involves technical sessions and expert panels designed to take a deeper dive into the issues of human capital in the home, neighborhoods, and the workforce, building upon the foundations laid during the previous day’s inspiring discussions.