The Fourth Invest in Ethiopia: High-Level Business Forum 2026 opened on Thursday (March 26) in Addis Ababa, marking the latest edition of a flagship platform aimed at advancing the country’s investment agenda and strengthening engagement with global partners.
Held at the Skylight Hotel from 26–27 March 2026, the forum brought together more than 800 participants, including international investors, business executives, policymakers, and development partners from over 70 countries. The event was jointly organized by the Ethiopian Investment Commission, the Ministry of Finance, and members of the Development Partners Group, underscoring a coordinated effort to promote Ethiopia’s investment landscape.
In his opening address, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh highlighted the wide-ranging reforms undertaken in recent years under Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda. He noted that these measures are designed to reinforce macroeconomic stability, boost competitiveness, and expand opportunities for private sector engagement. The Deputy Prime Minister underscored that the forum’s theme, “Ethiopia Ready for Business,” signals the country’s determination to foster a stable, transparent, and investor-friendly environment, while calling on international investors to explore the diverse opportunities available in the country.
Reinforcing this message, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye affirmed the Government’s continued commitment to facilitating and supporting investment. He underscored that Ethiopia is increasingly positioning itself as a preferred destination, supported by policy reforms and expanding opportunities across key sectors.
Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Zeleke Temesgen, described the forum as taking place at a pivotal moment, as Ethiopia moves beyond investment promotion toward concrete delivery. He emphasized that commitments made in previous editions are now materializing into tangible projects, reflecting improved implementation capacity and a stronger follow-through mechanism. He further assured participants of sustained institutional support throughout the investment process.
Speaking at the forum, Italy’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maria Tripodi, reaffirmed her country’s interest in deepening economic ties with Ethiopia. She commended ongoing reform efforts, including financial sector liberalization and steps toward accession to the World Trade Organization, noting the readiness of Italian enterprises to expand their footprint in the Ethiopian market.
The two-day forum serves as a platform for high-level policy dialogue, sector-focused panel discussions, business-to-business engagements, exhibitions, and site visits to key investment corridors. Discussions focused on priority sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, mining, renewable energy, information and communication technology, the digital economy, and tourism.
As part of its broader economic strategy, Ethiopia is aiming to secure more than USD 2.4 billion in new investment commitments during the forum, building on outcomes from previous editions that facilitated major agreements across various sectors. The Forum plays a central role in efforts to boost foreign direct investment inflows and deepen partnerships with global investors. Building on the momentum of ongoing reforms, the Invest in Ethiopia forum continues to serve as a key vehicle for connecting international capital with emerging opportunities, reflecting the country’s ambition to position itself as a leading destination for sustainable and large-scale investment in Africa.