ADDIS ABABA – A city discussion forum held in Addis Ababa from March to March (Megabit to Megabit) focused on the theme “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow for Ethiopian Excellence.”
During the forum, a Member of the House of People’s Representatives and a Permanent Committee Member on Foreign Relations Ambassador Dina Mufti highlighted Ethiopia’s significant progress over the past seven years. He emphasized the positive impact of these developments on the country’s diplomatic relations and national interests.
Ambassador Dina underscored the crucial role of effective foreign relations in national development, citing the renewal of diplomatic ties between Ethiopia and Eritrea after two decades of strained relations as a key achievement. He also noted that Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations extend beyond Eritrea to neighboring countries and the global community.
He outlined ongoing collaborations in areas such as energy, transport, agriculture, and climate change mitigation. Additionally, he reaffirmed Africa’s collective pursuit of a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. The Ambassador also addressed diplomatic efforts that helped resolve concerns raised by downstream countries regarding the construction of Abbay Dam.
Dina urged the continuation of strong diplomatic relations by enhancing domestic development efforts and safeguarding national interests.
On the economic front, Economist Zemedeneh Ngatu provided insights into Ethiopia’s economic transformation over the past seven years. He highlighted key advancements in employment opportunities, tourism, revenue collection, trade, manufacturing, and industry.
Zemedeneh stressed that Ethiopia’s ongoing economic reforms have addressed challenges such as outdated economic policies, peace instability, and supply-demand gaps. He pointed out that Addis Ababa is experiencing rapid economic growth, referencing a report by The Economist that projects the city could rank 6th in Africa in GDP within the next decade if current growth trends continue.
Furthermore, he stated that Ethiopia has the potential to achieve a GDP of 6.3 trillion USD within the next forty years, positioning it as the 16th largest economy globally.
Panelists at the forum also discussed the progress made in resolving social issues over the past seven years. Experts emphasized the need for improved policies and strategies to sustain and accelerate ongoing reforms.
The Addis Ababa Branch of the Prosperity Party Head Moges Balcha highlighted the importance of addressing remaining shortcomings to build on the achievements of national reforms. He stated that these reforms have fostered national integration and established a common discourse, contributing to Ethiopia’s overall prosperity.
Addis Ababa City Deputy Mayor Janterer Abay described the past seven years as a period of national transformation that has laid the foundation for future progress. He praised the government’s efforts to establish a unified national discourse by moving away from exclusionary practices. He also called for continued collaboration and dialogue to tackle ongoing challenges across the city.
BY FIKADU BELAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2025
