ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – June 13, 2025 – The successful conclusion of the EU-funded Business Environment and Investment Climate (BEIC) Project was marked by a high-profile closing conference held today at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa. The event highlighted significant progress in Ethiopia’s digitalization and reform efforts to attract foreign investment and improve the ease of doing business.

In her opening address, H.E. Semereta Sewasew, State Minister of the Ministry of Finance, underscored the strategic importance of the project, emphasizing its role in advancing Ethiopia’s broader economic reforms. She spotlighted notable achievements such as capacity-building initiatives, the modernization of e-government systems, and innovative digital platforms—including the electronic Public-Private Dialogue (E-PPD) portal, an enhanced e-filing system, the integration of Competency Certificate Issuance Bodies, and the E-Consultation Platform.

Mrs. Ioana Albulescu, Acting Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation, praised the tangible impacts of the project, particularly in improving service delivery for businesses and strengthening Ethiopia’s investment climate through cutting-edge e-government tools. The event featured a presentation reviewing the project’s key accomplishments, lessons learned, and recommendations for future initiatives.

A high-level panel discussion on “Digital Transformation and Enabling a Better Business Environment in Ethiopia” brought together representatives from various ministries, the Ethiopian Investment Commission, and the European Chamber. Panelists emphasized how the BEIC project supported institutional digitalization, enhanced Ethiopia’s attractiveness to regional and international investors, and underscored the importance of sustaining these reforms for long-term impact.

Launched in December 2020 with EU support, the BEIC project aimed to implement reforms under the Ease of Doing Business framework by developing coordinated, efficient e-government services across key government agencies, including the National Bank of Ethiopia, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, and Ministry of Justice.