H.E. Mr. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, together with H.E. Dr. Eyob Tekalign, Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, met today with Ms. Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, and Mr. Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa.

During the meeting, H.E. Minister Ahmed Shide expressed appreciation for the World Bank’s sustained support to Ethiopia, including through budget support operations. He briefed the World Bank leadership on the Government’s ongoing economic reform agenda, highlighting progress in domestic revenue mobilization, improvements in the business environment, and measures aimed at strengthening private sector development.

Ms. Bjerde welcomed the progress made under Ethiopia’s reform agenda and acknowledged the tangible results achieved to date, including the Government’s commitment to promoting private sector-led growth and job creation.

The World Bank Managing Director reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Ethiopia and supporting the country’s development priorities, particularly the transition toward stronger private sector-led growth under the new Country Partnership Framework.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in key priority areas, including Mission 300, the AgriConnect Compact, the E-Mobility Program, and the Water Forward Initiative. They also discussed the importance of expanding Ethiopia’s access to additional financing windows to strengthen resilience against climate-related and external shocks.

The two sides further emphasized the importance of improving implementation efficiency and accelerating development outcomes through the Development Ready Initiative, with the objective of ensuring timely and tangible benefits for the Ethiopian people.

The meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between the Government of Ethiopia and the World Bank and their shared commitment to advancing Ethiopia’s economic transformation, strengthening resilience, and promoting sustainable and inclusive private sector-led growth.