Ethiopia's Economic Transformation Dialogue

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The Ministry of Planning and Development has initiated a high-level three-day dialogue focused on the state and future outlook of Ethiopia’s economy, involving various stakeholders. The first day commenced with discussions with representatives from the Finance and Private sectors. On the consecutive days the dialogue will continue with Development Partners and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), as well as representatives from Universities and Professional Associations.

This high-level dialogue brings together key stakeholders—including policymakers, banking leaders, microfinance institutions, and investors—to deliberate on the sector’s current state, identify gaps, and outline actionable strategies.

experts from various professional institutions gathered to share insights on Ethiopia’s economic transformation agenda, following a detailed presentation by H.E. Dr. Fitsum Assefa, Minister of Planning and Development. The discussion centered on the country's long-term path toward sustained growth and development.

Key contributions came from prominent figures in economic and policy research:

Dr. Tewodros Mekonnen, Senior Country Economist at the International Growth Center (IGC), emphasized the need for ongoing reevaluation of Ethiopia’s structural transformation efforts to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.

Dr. Alemayehu Seyoum, Senior Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), highlighted the importance of bridging theory and practice to enhance economic knowledge, which is essential for effective policymaking.

Dr. Taffere Tesfachew, Senior Advisor at The Tony Blair Institute (TBI), discussed trends in export items, underlining the crucial role of exports in driving Ethiopia’s economic development.

The discussion also covered a range of key topics, including capacity building, peace and security, market dynamics, investment in public goods, public-private partnerships, sectoral policy alignment, inflation, unemployment, and the impacts of climate change on agriculture.

Participants posed questions and reflections, prompting responses from H.E. Dr. Fitsum Assefa and H.E. Eyob Tekalign, State Minister of Finance. The dialogue underscored the essential role of professionals, researchers, policymakers, and academic institutions in overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities for sustainable economic transformation.

The event highlighted a consensus on the importance of expert input in shaping Ethiopia’s future, reinforcing the collaborative effort needed to achieve long-term economic success.