ADDIS ABABA – March 10, 2026 – High-level leaders from the Ethiopian government, the private sector, and international development partners gathered today at the Skylight Hotel for a Public–Private Dialogue (PPD) aimed at reviewing the progress of key economic reforms and strengthening the investment climate. Organized by the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and the Development Partners Group, the session focused on tracking implementation, addressing operational constraints, and advancing practical follow-up actions.

In her opening remarks, Her Excellency Semereta Sewasew, State Minister of Finance, emphasized that sustainable economic transformation is driven by effective collaboration between the public and private sectors. She noted that Ethiopia is at a "critical juncture," following seven years of reforms designed to unlock the private sector’s potential as a central engine of growth.

The State Minister highlighted significant macroeconomic successes, including reducing inflation to single digits and taking bold steps toward foreign exchange liberalization. Complementary fiscal reforms have introduced modernized tax administration and a performance-based tax and customs incentive proclamation to benefit genuine investors. Furthermore, Ethiopia has advanced its participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by issuing regulations to implement tariff reduction commitments.

Dr. Zeleke Temesgen, EIC Commissioner, reported that the PPD initiative has gained strong momentum since its standalone launch in August 2024. To date, 18 government institutions have been engaged in addressing issues identified through these dialogues, with 13 institutions formally assigned to lead resolutions within their mandates.

A major highlight of the event was the official launch of a new online tracking platform embedded within the EIC website. This platform, developed with technical assistance from GiZ and funded by Germany and the UK, allows investors, chambers, and partners to monitor progress on PPD issues in real time, ensuring transparency and accountability.

“Transparency and accountability are central to the success of PPD initiatives,” stated Dr. Zeleke. He confirmed that more than 13 agencies have already assigned dedicated focal persons and submitted detailed action plans with timelines.

The dialogue provided a platform for anchor national and international investors to raise concerns regarding tax and customs, investment regulatory frameworks, freight and insurance in capital registration, and the franco valuta policy. Beyond policy, the government highlighted structural improvements, such as the establishment of specialized commercial and investment benches in federal courts to handle complex disputes more efficiently.

The forum serves as a precursor to the Invest Ethiopia 2026: High-Level Business Forum, building on commitments made during the previous year’s sessions. Both government and private sector representatives reaffirmed their commitment to "co-creating solutions" to ensure Ethiopia remains an attractive and predictable investment destination.

As State Minister Semereta concluded, the ultimate goal is to build a "transparent, predictable, and competitive business environment" that creates meaningful employment for Ethiopia's growing youth population.