Ethiopia and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have reaffirmed, on March 4, their growing development partnership, pledging stronger collaboration across infrastructure, macroeconomic reforms, energy development and climate priorities as the country pushes forward with its structural transformation agenda.
The commitment emerged during a meeting in Addis Ababa where State Minister of Finance Semereta Sewasew hosted a high-level AfDB delegation led by newly appointed Executive Director, Cafriene Ronald Justin. The talks reviewed the Bank’s ongoing projects in Ethiopia and explored future strategic priorities.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the AfDB remains one of Ethiopia’s key multilateral development partners, supporting projects in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, private sector development, climate action and economic reform. Sewasew noted that the Bank’s financial and policy support has helped stabilise the country’s fiscal framework and sustain ongoing reforms aimed at achieving inclusive economic growth.
Infrastructure development was highlighted as a central pillar of the partnership, including the proposed Bishoftu Airport Mega Project, which Ethiopia views as a major continental aviation hub to boost logistics capacity, regional connectivity and trade across Africa.
The AfDB’s investments in Ethiopia are heavily concentrated in the energy sector, supporting efforts to expand power generation, strengthen transmission networks and promote renewable energy. The discussions also covered climate finance initiatives and preparations linked to COP32, with Ethiopia seeking to position itself as a regional clean energy hub.
Both sides further emphasised the need to strengthen private sector participation and agricultural transformation, including the development of the poultry value chain to create jobs, enhance food security and stimulate rural incomes. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to accelerate project implementation and deepen cooperation to support Ethiopia’s long-term economic transformation and regional integration.