Ethiopia, France Forge Ahead on Renewable Energy Investment

Apr 24 , 2023

Ethiopian Finance Ministry officials met with French delegates today to address hurdles facing renewable energy investment and exploring ways to improve collaboration between public and private sectors. The meeting comes on the heels of a business climate report by the Ethio-French Business Club (CAFE), based on a study of over 50 French companies, conducted from September to December last year. Held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, on Marshal Tito Rd., the meeting was the third of its kind. The French officials have cited it as the latest indication of a strong bilateral relationship between the two nations. This follows Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's visit to Paris in February. Organized by the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance and the Embassy of France, the meeting included virtual and on-site participation from key figures in both countries. Olivier Becht from the French Foreign Trade Ministry, William Roos and Agathe Blanchard from the French Treasury, and Re‌mi Mare‌chaux, the French Ambassador to Ethiopia, were among the French attendees. Representing Ethiopia were Eyob Tekalign (PhD) and Semereta Sewasew from the Ministry of Finance; Aynalem Nigusie from the Ministry of Revenue, and Girma Birru, a chief economic policy advisor to the Prime Minister.