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

Capital Market Authority Extends Public Company Registration Deadline, Warns Against Unlicensed Investment Bank

Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) has granted a final one-month extension for publicly held companies to register, setting the new deadline for April 9, 2025. The extension applies specifically to companies with over 50 shareholders, who are required to submit comprehensive documentation across all industries. Mandatory details include the total number of shareholders, the total number of shares issued, fully paid shares, subscribed shares, and the value of shares on the reporting dat...


Radar

State Corps Post Growth Eyeing Innovation, Market Expansion

The Ethiopian Insurance Corporation (EIC) generated 9.34 billion Br in written gross premiums, marking a considerable 51.7pc increase compared to the same period last year. The Corporation's profit reached 1.2 billion Br, exceeding its planned target by 15pc and increasing by 62.7pc from last year's corresponding period. Executives of Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), Ethiopia's sovereign fund that owns state enterprises, commended EIC for its achievements and provided strategic guidance t...


Radar

Ethiopian Airlines, AfDB Forge Partnership for Bishoftu International Airport Project

The Ethiopian Airlines Group has signed a letter of intent with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to launch a partnership for the ambitious Bishoftu International Airport Project. Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, and Nnenna Nwabufo, vice president of Regional Development, Integration & Strategy at AfDB signed the agreement. The two officials expressed their intent to consolidate the existing partnership through strategic and innovative engagements to benefit Ethiopia and the wid...