Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 2026 — Ethiopia has placed itself firmly on Africa’s economic map with the launch of a high‑level diplomatic investment tour, designed to showcase the country’s industrial, technological, and agricultural transformation to the global diplomatic corps.  

Situated in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is Africa’s second‑most populous nation with over 130 million people. It has emerged as the third‑largest economy in sub‑Saharan Africa, powered by a youthful population of 54 million and an average GDP growth rate of 6.5% over the past four years.  

Ambassador Roza Yerukneh, Director General of Public Diplomacy Affairs, welcomed more than 80 Ambassadors, Heads of Missions, and Economic Attachés, stressing that Ethiopia’s reforms and infrastructure expansion are reshaping the country into a continental investment hub.  

Ambassador Roza highlighted the Home‑Grown Economic Reforms launched in 2019, which opened strategic sectors such as telecommunications and finance to foreign capital.  

She underscored Ethiopia’s aggressive push into renewable energy, with hydro, solar, wind, and geothermal projects. The flagship Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is central to plans to expand national power capacity from 4,500 MW to 19,900 MW by 2030.  

Ethiopia is targeting $58 billion in investments to establish itself as an East African logistics hub, leveraging:  

– AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) 
– COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa)
– EBA (Everything But Arms initiative with the EU)
– Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier
– Upcoming WTO membership  

Deputy CEO of the Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC), Fitsum Ketema, briefed the delegation on Ethiopia’s 14 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial parks.  

– Over 300 investment projects are operational
– More than 100,000 citizens employed
– SEZs promote industrialization, export growth, technology transfer, and job creation  

Diplomats toured key sites in Addis Ababa and surrounding areas:  

– Bole Lemi SEZ: Export‑oriented textile and apparel manufacturing
– Kilinto SEZ: Pharmaceutical research and manufacturing hub
– ICT Park: Digital economy foundations and data center operations
– Joytech PLC: Vertical farming and horticultural export channels 
– AMG Holding: Local industrial manufacturing capacity, import substitution, and value addition  

At AMG Holding, envoys observed modern manufacturing technologies and workforce integration, underscoring Ethiopia’s ability to meet international standards while generating employment.  

The tour reflects Ethiopia’s economic diplomacy strategy, moving beyond conferences to provide diplomats with direct exposure to infrastructure and investment‑ready opportunities.  

Ambassador Roza concluded by urging envoys to connect their home business communities with Ethiopia’s operational SEZs, reinforcing that economic cooperation is a pillar of bilateral relations and regional prosperity.