FORTUNE+ VIDEO SPONSORED CONTENTS ADVERTORIALS FORTUNE AUDIO Fortune Careers TRADE AFRICA Election 2026 New TIME REMAINING UNTIL ETHIOPIA’S NATIONAL ELECTION 0Days 0Hours 0Minutes 0Seconds




Ethiopia Attracts $3.8b Foreign Investment Despite Export Setbacks

Jul 21 , 2024


[ssba-buttons]

Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) secured a substantial increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) during the ended fiscal year, amidst declining export earnings from industrial parks. Commissioner Hanna Arayaselassie announced over 3.8 billion dollars in FDI, reflecting an 11.5pc growth compared to the previous year. Though falling short of the annual target by 20pc, Hanna expressed optimism about the upward trend, solidifying Ethiopia's position as a leading FDI destination in Africa. However, challenges persist. The Commissioner acknowledged that export revenues from industrial parks fell below expectations due to Ethiopia's exclusion from the African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA). The Commission actively participated in international investment events and targeted investors from diverse countries. The Ethiopian Investment Board opened new sectors for foreign investment and implemented policy changes to make Special Economic Zones (SEZs) more attractive to foreign investors. About two-thirds of the licenses given out in the ended year were in the manufacturing sector. Hanna plans to diversify the sector in the coming fiscal year. She is determined to further enhance investment promotion and raise FDI to 4.5 billion dollars in the fiscal year, by implementing new regulations, streamlining logistics and incentives, and developing a digitisation plan.


Radar

Prime Capital Joins ESX, Seeks Securities Dealership Licence

Prime Capital has secured trading membership on the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) and is pursuing a securities dealership licence to expand its brokerage and investment banking services, according to Head of Business Development and Marketing Fikremarkos. The firm received its trading membership after obtaining an investment banking licence from the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) and meeting all ESX requirements. The licence authorises Prime Capital to execute securities tran...


Radar

Parliament Ratifies Tax Amendment, Assigns PMO to Lead Conciliation, Imposes 10pc Penalty on Late Evidence

The Prime Minister's Office will appoint independent tax conciliators while taxpayers face a 10pc penalty for late evidence under the Federal Tax Administration Amendment ratified by Parliament last week. By shifting the selection of “conciliators” from the tax authority to the PMO, authorities aim to establish a neutral dispute-resolution system to speed up out-of-court settlements. Experts describe the move as a high-stakes reform with notable institutional risks. The legislation, pa...


Radar

ZamZam Bank Registers Shares, Eyes Capital Market Debut

ZamZam Bank has secured approval from the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) to register its shares, becoming the first fully interest-free bank to complete the regulatory process for public trading. The approval covers five million existing shares worth five billion Br and one million bonus shares valued at one billion Br, paving the way for the Bank's future participation in Ethiopia's capital market. ZamZam plans to raise its capital to 15 billion Br and introduce Sharia-compliant i...