
What I personally regret most is how Ethiopia lost its access to a port. This is why it has become a priority issue for my government, and I assure you that Ethiopia will continue its peaceful pursuit of securing access to the sea.
Ethiopia will strengthen its efforts for sea access legally and through dialogue until this goal is met. As a landlocked country, Ethiopia has faced significant challenges.
Despite the international framework that grants landlocked countries a legal right to access the sea, clear injustices have been committed against Ethiopia. Based on diplomacy and international legal frameworks, this issue requires an immediate and permanent solution. Ethiopia’s quest for access to the sea is fair and legitimate, and it will continue its peaceful struggle to realize this goal.
This was stated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) in a recent interview with EBC.
Ethiopia records highest-ever $7.2B export revenue: Finance Minister
Ethiopia has achieved a record-high export revenue of $7.2 billion from foreign trade in the first 11 months of this fiscal year.
This surge in export earnings is the result of foreign exchange reforms, strict fiscal and monetary policies, and improved trade performance. Compared to the same period last year, when Ethiopia earned $3.3 billion, the latest figures reflect a 118% growth, marking the highest export revenue in the country’s history.
The robust performance was driven by enhanced productivity in agriculture, green energy, mining, and other key sectors. Additionally, coordinated leadership in trade policy has played a significant role in achieving this milestone, and efforts will continue to sustain and expand export growth in the coming year.
Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, made these remarks at the 35th regular session of the sixth parliamentary term.
Upcoming budget year key to achieving macroeconomic reform: Finance Minister
The draft budget for the 2025/26 fiscal year, which will commence in July 2025, is set at 1.93 trillion Birr. This budget will play a crucial role in achieving comprehensive macroeconomic reform in the country.
The budget aligns with the country’s Ten-Year Perspective Plan (2021-2030), which targets sustained prosperity and long-term development goals. The budget has increased from the previous fiscal year, primarily due to higher spending on reform implementation.
Ahmed Shide, Finance Minister.
Oromia ready to inaugurate 27,000 projects worth 212B Birr: Deputy President
The Oromia Regional State is set to inaugurate over 27,000 completed development projects across the region. The total cost of these projects exceeds 212 billion Birr, marking a significant milestone in improving infrastructure accessibility.
Despite challenges from anti-peace elements, the region has maintained relative stability, allowing uninterrupted progress in infrastructure and public service delivery. The peace and stability in the region have been crucial for facilitating sustainable economic growth and development.
Over the past four years, Oromia has completed and operationalized over 71,640 projects, significantly enhancing road networks, healthcare facilities, irrigation systems, and energy infrastructure. This year alone, the region is set to inaugurate 34,922 new projects worth 244 billion Birr, with over 78% constructed through community participation. In total, over 77,600 projects have been inaugurated in the past four years, directly benefiting millions of residents.
Awelu Abdi, Oromia Deputy Chief Administrator, stated in a pressbriefing.
Greater private sector engagement key for job creation: MIDROC CEO
Greater private sector engagement and investment are crucial for boosting entrepreneurship and creating more job opportunities. It is essential to empower the private sector as a catalyst for job creation and entrepreneurship development.
MIDROC is focused on creating jobs for unemployed individuals and has thus far generated over 68,000 job opportunities. The private sector should increase its engagement; entrepreneurship should not be left solely to the government. The private sector must aim beyond profit-making to serve future generations.
More work is needed to diversify export products, as 70% of the nation’s export earnings come from gold and coffee.
Jemal Ahmed, MIDROC Ethiopia CEO, shared these insights at the ‘About Ethiopia’ conference in Adama.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 14 JUNE 2025