November 13, 2025
A landmark EU–Ethiopia Investment Forum convened in Paris last week, spotlighting the strengthening economic ties and burgeoning investment opportunities between Ethiopia and the European Union. The forum, organized by MEDEF International alongside the European Commission and Ethiopian government representatives, gathered top policymakers, business leaders, and investors to discuss pathways for deeper collaboration and growth.
Ethiopia, emerging as one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, presented its comprehensive economic reforms aimed at enhancing industrial capacity, liberalizing key sectors, and driving innovation. Finance Minister Ahmed Shide articulated the country’s economic vision framed within its Home-Grown Economic Reform Agenda and 10-Year Development Plan, emphasizing enhanced investor confidence and sectoral opportunities.
Discussions centered on four strategic sectors: aviation, renewable energy, transport and logistics infrastructure, and the digital economy. Stakeholders underscored Ethiopia’s strategic geographic advantage as a regional hub and gateway to East Africa’s markets, stressing the mutual benefits of partnership in infrastructure development and technology transfer.
A significant element of the forum was the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, which seeks to mobilize sustainable investments supporting green and digital transitions in partner countries. The initiative aligns with Ethiopia’s priorities for sustainable infrastructure and inclusive economic growth, advocating joint ventures that balance profitability and environmental responsibility.
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Dr. Gedeon Timotheos emphasized the event’s role in cementing the Ethiopia-EU partnership, highlighting shared objectives in fostering innovation and equitable development. Philippe Gautier, CEO of MEDEF International, affirmed European business interest in Ethiopia’s promising investment climate, reflecting a broader trend of increased engagement in Africa’s economic transformation.
The Paris forum is a precursor to the upcoming Africa–EU Conference slated for April 2026 in Kenya, where further commitments to deepen trade and investment relations are expected.