Your weekly dose of Ethiopia’s sharpest business, economic, and finance news.
Grab your buna and catch up on what’s moving Ethiopia’s markets and economy this week.
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Investment & Markets
EIH Makes First Global Investment in Akobo Minerals
Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the sovereign wealth fund, has acquired a 7.4% stake in Akobo Minerals AB with a $3 million investment. This will expand Akobo’s Segele gold project, increasing production from 5–10 kg to 50–80 kg per month.
EIH CEO Dr. Brook Taye called it a “strategic breakthrough,” marking the fund’s shift from domestic focus to global markets under its 3D strategy—Diversify, Drive Innovation, and Deliver Benefits. This move validates Akobo’s project and showcases Ethiopia’s growing appeal to global investors. Read more
Ethiopia Joins Africa’s $3.4 Trillion Free Trade Market
Ethiopia has officially begun trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), unlocking access to a 1.4 billion–person, $3.4 trillion market. Key export sectors like coffee, flowers, oilseeds, textiles, and manufactured goods stand to gain from reduced tariffs.
Challenges remain: high transport costs, port congestion, and regional competition. Success depends on reforms in customs, standards, and infrastructure to fully leverage this continental opportunity. Read more
Ethiopia’s Capital Market Court Ready to Launch
The Ethiopian Capital Market Administrative Tribunal (ECMAT) is set to hear its first cases. Backed by an 87 million Br budget, ECMAT will handle insider trading, market manipulation, regulatory breaches, and investor disputes.
Led by legal expert Abenet Zerfu, the tribunal aims to deliver decisions in 30–90 days, enforceable like civil court judgments. Its credibility will rely on speed, fairness, and independence. Read more
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Infrastructure & Energy
AfDB Commits $500M to Ethiopia’s Mega Airport
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged $500 million for the $10 billion Abusera Mega Airport, set to open in 2029 near Bishoftu. Designed to handle 100 million passengers annually, it will be Africa’s largest airport—more than double Bole International’s capacity.
Ethiopian Airlines will fund 20% of the project, while AfDB coordinates financing for the remaining $7.8 billion. With four runways and world-class design, the airport aims to position Ethiopia as a global aviation hub.
EEP Unveils 251B Br Power Expansion Budget
Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) approved a 251 billion birr budget for 2025/26, dedicating over 70% to energy infrastructure. Key projects include GERD, Assela Wind Farm, Aluto Geothermal, and major transmission lines like the Southern Grid expansion.
EEP expects 38,120 GWh in power generation this year, with GERD contributing 45%. As Ethiopia’s most indebted SOE, careful management is critical to boosting domestic supply, regional exports, and long-term energy security. Read more
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Finance & Digital Economy
Ethiopia’s Tax Revenues Hit Decade Low
A joint study by the Ministry of Finance and the UK’s IFS shows Ethiopia’s tax-to-GDP ratio fell to 7.5% in 2022/23, the lowest in over a decade. Drivers include low GDP per capita, high agricultural share, weak VAT/fuel excises, and VAT evasion.
By contrast, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda have ratios above 13%. The government’s National Medium-Term Revenue Strategy aims to increase the ratio by 7 points over five years through VAT reform, stricter compliance, and digital tax administration. Read more
Amana Insurance to Launch Ethiopia’s First Fully Interest-Free Insurance
Amana Insurance SC will introduce Ethiopia’s first fully Sharia-compliant insurance, adopting the Takaful model. Backed by Hijra, Rammis, and Shebelle banks, the company has an initial capital of 260.4 million birr. Operations are expected to start within four months of licensing, offering a fully interest-free insurance alternative. Read more
Ethiopia Launches First Local EMV 3-D Secure Payment Solution
Premier Switch Solutions (PSS), in partnership with Mastercard, launched Ethiopia’s first locally certified EMV® 3-D Secure system, enhancing online payment security. Already live with four banks, the platform supports the Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy and strengthens trust in digital payments. Read more
Agriculture & Trade
African Coffee Summit Heads to Addis Ababa
The 22nd African Good Coffees Summit & Exhibition will take place February 6–8, 2026, in Addis Ababa. The event will tackle challenges such as low value addition, weak branding, outdated processing, and limited returns for farmers.
Discussions will focus on market access, climate resilience, and intra-African trade, with stakeholders aiming to make Africa’s coffee industry more sustainable and profitable. Read more
Ethiopia’s week starts with strategic investments, major infrastructure plans, and digital innovation, highlighting the country’s push to integrate globally while reforming domestically.
Stay tuned for next week’s insights where we unpack more sectoral trends and policy moves shaping Ethiopia’s future.
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Stay curious, stay caffeinated,
— Written by the StockMarket.et Newsroom
