The Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) concluded investment deals of more than 13 billion dollars at the fourth annual Invest in Ethiopia 2026 Forum, exceeding the initial expectation of more than 2.4 billion dollars.
These agreements cover the sectors of manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, energy, construction and other strategic sectors. Officials say they are expected to create jobs, attract foreign investment, and accelerate technology transfer, indicating that investors are betting on Ethiopia’s long-term growth prospects.
Global Future Investment Ltd. plans to make 2 billion dollars in the special economic zone, while Liaoning Fangda Group Industrial Co. will invest 500 million US dollars in the production of steel and medicine.
In renewable energy, Gobez Electric Manufacturing Plc is expanding solar cell production by $150 million, Sun King is targeting $150 million in solar equipment production by 2030, and Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd.
The Rashmi Group is entering Ethiopia’s mining sector with US$235 million for a design and development project. The real estate market is also attracting international interest, with Poland-based Quantum Everest investing $100 million in property development.
The two-day conference, which was held on March 26-27 in Addis Ababa, brought together more than 800 international investors, business leaders, policymakers, and development partners from more than 50 countries. The agenda included high-level policy discussions, sector-specific sessions, business-to-business integration, networking events, and an investment exhibition, culminating in a signing ceremony.
In comparison, the previous edition secured around 1.6 billion in investment deals across mining, energy and manufacturing.
“These agreements also highlight Ethiopia’s position as a leading investment destination, while the forum has served as a solid platform for establishing new ties and encouraging further investment dialogue,” the Commission said.
Beyond the headline statistics, the investment results reflect a broader strategy to accelerate Ethiopia’s industrial growth and diversify its economy. Central to that strategy has been the expansion of industrial parks and special economic zones, designed as plug-and-play centers for export-oriented industries.
In the first half of the financial year 2025/26 these services attracted more than 377 million dollars in new investments and helped generate more than 112 million foreign currencies, attracting investors from the United States, China, India, the United Kingdom and other markets. More than 90 percent of the 177 industrial sites across the parks have been used, creating more than 100,000 jobs for the local community.
The fastest growing economy in East Africa is confirming its position as an industrial center with a series of outstanding projects that affect many sectors. In a significant partnership, Nigeria’s Dangote Group and Ethiopia’s sovereign wealth fund are establishing the $2.5 billion Gode Fertilizer Plant, which will produce 3 million metric tons per year, reduce dependence on imports, and boost local agriculture.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines has started construction of the $12.5 billion Bishoftu International Airport, which will be the largest airport in Africa by 2030, with the capacity to handle more than 100 million passengers annually.
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