The labyrinthine nature of land lease procedures and bureaucratic hurdles plaguing investor activity were brought to the forefront last week, with corruption emerging as a significant barrier to land acquisition for expansion projects. Ben Depraetere, board chairman of the EU chamber in Ethiopia, pointed to systemic issues that hinder efficient land allocation processes. "The problem lies in the implementation of land laws," he said. Participants echoed the sentiments, highlighting additional concerns. They cited frequent changes in regional administrative structures, coordination gaps between federal and regional authorities, and capacity constraints as exacerbating the difficulties. The session at the Hyatt Regency on Bole Rd was organised by the European Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the EU-funded Business Environment & Investment Climate (BEIC) project. A series of recommendations aimed at addressing the root causes of land acquisition woes were forwarded, including advocating for clear and consistent regulatory reforms, implementing anti-corruption measures, enhancing coordination among authorities, establishing transparent land registries, and developing comprehensive guidelines for land allocation.
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