Ethiopia expects $1.7 bln in mostly Chinese investments

The Ethiopian finance ministry said that deals worth $1.7 billion by mostly Chinese firms operating in energy and minerals have been signed.

The deals include a planned $500 million investment by Hua Ye Mining Processing Company in minerals exploration and processing, and the development of a special economic zone focused on minerals, the ministry said.

Ethiopia also signed an investment deal worth $600 million with Sequoia Mining & Processing Plc to develop coal mining projects.

It also expects a $360 million investment from Hainan Drinda New Energy Technology to build a solar cell manufacturing plant, while another $250 million will come from CSI Solar, also for solar energy development, the ministry said.

The investments are part of a push to attract foreign direct investments after the country launched ambitious reforms to diversify its economy.

Ethiopia agreed a $3.4 billion program with the IMF in July and is restricting its $8.4 billion debt.