29/10/2026
Ethiopia and EIB Global Deepen Strategic Partnership to Mobilize Investment and Accelerate Economic Transformation
Talks advance €190 million in financing for rural finance and energy, alongside discussions on Bishoftu International Airport
ADDIS ABABA, 29 October 2026 — Ethiopia and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Global have reaffirmed their strategic partnership to mobilize investment, expand private sector financing, advance green finance, and accelerate strategic infrastructure development and regional integration in support of Ethiopia’s economic transformation.
H.E. Tiguist Fisseha, State Minister of Finance, met with an EIB Global delegation led by Andrew McDowell, Director General, and Mr. Christophe Litt, Head of the Financial Inclusion Division. Discussions focused on aligning EIB’s financing, technical expertise, and European partnerships with Ethiopia’s national priorities and long-term growth ambitions.
Key Outcomes
•€110 million for rural finance: EIB financing approved for the Third Rural Financial Intermediation Program (RUFIP III), expanding access to finance and supporting rural enterprises.
•€80 million for energy and digitalization: Both sides agreed to accelerate the signing and effectiveness of the Renewable, Integrated and Sustainable Energy and Digitalization (RISED) Project to modernize Ethiopia’s electricity transmission system and advance the energy transition.
•Bishoftu International Airport: Discussions explored financing opportunities for the strategic airport project, which will strengthen Ethiopia’s aviation capacity and regional connectivity.
•Energy PPPs: The two sides explored opportunities to scale up private investment in energy through public-private partnerships, complementing Ethiopia’s hydropower, wind, and solar investments.
Advancing Ethiopia’s Economic Transformation Priorities
State Minister Tiguist outlined progress under the second phase of Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, emphasizing macroeconomic stability, economic diversification, financial sector modernization, a competitive investment environment, and private sector-led growth.
She highlighted Ethiopia’s priorities of mobilizing long-term investment, expanding access to finance, accelerating digital transformation, modernizing agriculture, strengthening domestic manufacturing, and creating productive jobs for its growing youth population.
She underscored opportunities to deepen cooperation with EIB Global in three areas: mobilizing private capital, expanding financing for small and medium-sized enterprises, and directing investment toward productive, export-oriented sectors. She also emphasized developing Ethiopia’s green finance ecosystem and capital markets, including laying the groundwork for future green bond issuances.
Regional Connectivity and Global Gateway
The discussions highlighted the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy as a platform to mobilize European investment in strategic infrastructure and strengthen regional economic integration. State Minister Tiguist emphasized Ethiopia’s ambition to serve as a regional hub for trade, logistics, energy connectivity, and industrial development. She highlighted opportunities in cross-border transport, regional energy interconnections, and trade facilitation to strengthen economic links across the Horn of Africa.
On Bishoftu International Airport, both sides recognized the project’s strategic potential to expand aviation capacity, strengthen regional connectivity, and position Ethiopia as a gateway for trade, investment, and wider regional economic integration.
EIB Global Commitment Director General McDowell reaffirmed EIB Global’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s development priorities, highlighting the Bank’s expertise in regional integration, energy, transport, and digital connectivity, as well as opportunities for technical cooperation and co-financing with European and multilateral partners.
Both sides committed to deepening the partnership and mobilizing investment and expertise in support of Ethiopia’s economic transformation, private sector growth, sustainable infrastructure, and regional integration.
