Ethiopia’s Bold Reform Agenda Pays Off: Over USD 1.6 bn Secured in Landmark Investment Forum

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Ethiopia has secured more than USD 1.6 billion in new investments following the Invest in Ethiopia 2025 High-Level Business Forum, a major event held in the capital, Addis Ababa. The forum brought together global business leaders, investors, and policymakers, showcasing the East African nation’s ambitious economic reform agenda and rapidly improving investment climate.

Hosted under the theme of “Invest in Ethiopia 2025,” the forum underscored the government’s strategic pivot toward private sector-led growth, industrial diversification, and green energy development.

“There has never been a more opportune moment to invest in our nation,” said Finance Minister Ahmed Shide, highlighting recent policy reforms, improvements in the business environment, and the government’s commitment to macroeconomic stability.

The forum culminated in the signing of five landmark investment agreements, signalling renewed confidence in Ethiopia’s economic trajectory. The deals span critical sectors such as renewable energy, mining, and advanced manufacturing:

• Sesar Energy Advancing Solutions committed USD 250 million to develop large-scale solar energy infrastructure, supporting Ethiopia’s green energy transition and electrification goals.
• A joint investment by Hanergy New Energy Group and Jandu PLC will channel USD 360 million into solar cell manufacturing, helping to localise production and boost clean energy exports.
• Huawei Mining Processing pledged approximately USD 500 million for mineral exploration and processing, including the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) dedicated to the mineral sector.
• In one of the largest single commitments, Sequa Mining & Processing, a joint venture between Ethiopian and Chinese investors, announced a USD 600 million investment in coal mining, aiming to reduce import dependency and strengthen domestic energy security.
• Toyo Solar Manufacturing will invest USD 14 million to expand its solar cell production capacity, supporting Ethiopia’s goal of becoming a regional hub for solar technology.

These investments are expected to create thousands of jobs, stimulate local value chains, and enhance Ethiopia’s export competitiveness. The forum also featured panel discussions on digital transformation, green industrialisation, and the role of public-private partnerships in infrastructure development.

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The success of the event is being hailed as a major validation of Ethiopia’s ongoing economic reforms, which include liberalising key sectors, improving regulatory transparency, and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into priority industries. With a youthful population, a growing consumer base, and a strategic geographic location, Ethiopia is positioning itself as a rising African economic powerhouse. The momentum from the forum marks a significant step in realising the country’s ambition to become a middle-income economy by 2030.