This session will showcase keynote addresses from high-level government officials, private sector representatives, and development partners. It offers a platform for distinguished speakers to extend a warm welcome to participants, set the tone for the event, and underscore the government's strong commitment to public-private collaboration, investment promotion and business climate reform agendas.

• Mr. Wim Vanhelleputte (CEO, Safaricom Ethiopia)
• H.E. Amb. Joshua Tabah (Ambassador of Canada to Ethiopia)
• Dr. Léandre Bassolé (Director General, African Development Bank – on behalf of the Development Partners’ Group)
• H.E. Dr. Gedion Timothewos (Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• H.E. Mr. Ahmed Shide (Minister, Ministry of Finance)

HGER, now in its second phase, aims to address macroeconomic imbalances, diversify growth drivers, and rebalance the roles of the public and private sectors to foster sustainable development. Phase I delivered notable progress in reforming state-owned enterprises, enhancing the investment climate, and mobilizing domestic resources, despite significant internal and external challenges. With Phase II underway, the government is intensifying reforms to build on earlier gains and promote private-sector-led growth.

This session will outline major macroeconomic and sectoral reforms, focusing on their impact on private sector development and the broader investment landscape. It also highlights Ethiopia’s current investment-ready sectors and opportunities.

With economic reforms creating new pathways for investment, Ethiopia is no longer a market waiting to emerge — it is one demanding strategic engagement. This panel explores how government, investors, and partners can work together to transform opportunity into sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.

• H.E. Ms. Hanna Arayaselassie (Minister, Ministry of Justice)
• H.E. Mr. Mamo E. Mihretu (Governor, National Bank of Ethiopia)
• H.E. Dr. Eyob Tekalign (State Minister, Ministry of Finance)
• Dr. Sherin Varkey (Program Leader, World Bank)
• Mr. Wei Qiangyu (General Manager, CCCC)

Ethiopia is undergoing a bold industrial transformation, supported by a young, skilled and growing labor force, a large consumer base, and targeted incentives aimed at boosting the manufacturing sector. Pharmaceuticals, textiles and apparel, leather goods, and light manufacturing offer competitive investment opportunities.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs), serve as catalysts for inclusive industrialization, providing plug and play infrastructure, duty free incentives, and streamlined regulatory services. These zones are ideal for investors seeking low risk, high-impact manufacturing opportunities in a government backed ecosystem.

• Mr. Nesibu Temesgen (General Manager, Unilever Ethiopia)
• Mr. Harsh Kothari (CEO, Mohan Group of Companies)
• Ms. Tihitina Legesse (Managing Director, Waryt Furniture)
• Mr. Li Huayang (General Manager, Toyo Solar)
• Mr. Mufid Sabir Argaw (CEO, Wilmar)

Ethiopia’s services sector is entering a transformative phase, driven by sector openingup, demographic growth, and strategic reforms aimed at unlocking private sectorparticipation. Tourism, realestate, transport and logistics are among the most promisingand underexplored areas for foreign direct investment, with immense potential to generatejobs, attract foreign exchange, and improve quality of life.

Ethiopia’s investment in infrastructure, such as the Addis-Djibouti railway and dry ports, combined with recent policy liberalizations, creates a strong foundation for logistics sector growth and regional trade integration. Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and ancient historical sites offer compelling tourism development opportunities. This session aims to present investment-ready projects, public-private partnership (PPP) opportunities, and highlight the enabling environment for service sector investors.

• Mr. Benjam Vetterli (Head of Africa, Rockstone Real Estate)
• Mr. Otto Kurzendorfer (General Manager, Hyatt Hotel)
• Mr. Israel Degefa (CEO, Kerchanshe Group)
• Mr. Jaspal Singh Khalsa (COO, iSON Xperiences EthioCall PLC)

As Ethiopia accelerates its transition into a digital economy, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is emerging as a key driver of economic transformation, innovation, and job creation. Supported by the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy, the government is opening up the telecom sector, expanding digital infrastructure, and creating a conducive environment for tech-enabled investments.

This session explores how innovation in telecoms, urban infrastructure, and fintech is accelerating inclusive growth, enhancing service delivery, and opening new frontiers for private investment. With strong government commitment and growing investor confidence, Ethiopia is positioning itself as a rising hub for digital and emerging sector development in Africa. This session also seeks to unlock opportunities in these highgrowth areas, introduce scalable digital ventures, and foster cross-sector innovation in partnership with global tech leaders, startups, and venture capital firms.

• H.E. Ms. Hanna Tehelku (Director General, Ethiopian Capital Markets Authority)
• H.E. Amb. Sofie From-Emmesberger (Ambassador of the EU to Ethiopia)
• Eng. Balcha Reba (Director General, Ethiopian Communications Authority)
• Dr. Abiyot Bayou (Tony Blair Institute for Global Change)
• Mr. Adam Abate (Managing Partner, African Technology Entrepreneur)

Ethiopia possesses one of the largest and most diverse agricultural sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. With fertile land, abundant water resources, favorable climate, and a dynamic labor force, agriculture remains a cornerstone of the national economy, contributing significantly to GDP, employment, and exports.

This session highlights the immense investment opportunities available across the entire agri-food value chain — from primary production (wheat, coffee, horticulture, livestock) to post harvest handling, storage, cold chain logistics, processing, and exportoriented agribusiness. It presents data-driven insights into sustainable agriculture and agro-processing potential.

Analysis of market trends, data and insights on the agriculture and agro- processing sectors, consumer behavior, incentives and growth potential will be presented to offer investors valuable information that helps them understand the market landscape and make informed investment decisions.

• H.E. Dr. Abreham Belay (Minister, Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands)
• H.E. Dr. Sofiya Kassa (State Minister, Ministry of Agriculture)
• Dr. Mandefro Nigussie (CEO, Agriculture Transformation Institute)
• Mr. Robin Veenstra (CEO, Holland Dairy)
• Mr. Piet Schutter (CEO, Alema Koudijs)

This dynamic panel brings together visionary investors — both local and international — who have boldly navigated Ethiopia’s evolving investment terrain. Through personal stories and hard-earned lessons, they’ll share how they turned ambition into impact, offering practical insights, candid reflections, and inspiration for the next wave of investors ready to engage with Ethiopia’s future.

• Mr. Batuel Bizuayehu (Managing Director, East Africa Holdings)
• Mr. Huarong Zhang (Chairman, Huajian Group)
• Mr. Muluken Metiku (CEO, OVID Real Estate)
• Mr. Shyam Raval (Managing Director, Raval Steel)

Existing investors will share their experiences, challenges, and achievements, highlighting the competitive advantages of investing in the manufacturing sector in Ethiopia.

• Mr. Nesibu Temesgen
• Mr. Harsh Kothari
• Ms. Tihitina Legese
• Mr. LI huayang
• Mr. Mufid Sabir Argaw

Existing investors will share their experiences, challenges, and achievements, highlighting the competitive advantages of investing in the manufacturing sector in Ethiopia.

• Mr. Benjam Vetterli
• Mr. Otto Kurzendorfer
• Mr. Israel Degefa
• Mr. Sanjay Kamboj

Ethiopia is endowed with abundant mineral resources, including gold, tantalum, potash, and rare earth elements, which are critical inputs for renewable energy technologies and advanced electronics. Recent regulatory reforms aim to attract foreign investment and promote local beneficiation and value addition.

This session brings together public and private sector leaders to explore investment prospects, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development strategies in Ethiopia’s mining and energy sectors.

• H.E. Dr. Eng. Habtamu Etefa (Minister, Ministry of Water and Energy)
• H.E. Eng. Habtamu Tegegne (Minister, Ministry of Mines)
• Mr. Jemal Ahmed (CEO, MIDROC Investment Group)
• Mr. Omer Bomba (Board Director, AmCham Ethiopia)

Ethiopia’s reform agenda emphasizes mobilizing private capital and fostering public-private collaboration. Through PPPs and joint ventures, the government is attracting long-term investment into key sectors like infrastructure, health, utilities, logistics, and digital services.

Through the adoption of a formal PPP framework and a supportive investment code,Ethiopia aims to scale up investment in bankable and sustainable projects that align with its national development goals. Priority sectors include energy, transport, telecom,health, education, agro-industrial parks, and digital infrastructure.

This session highlights Ethiopia’s evolving PPP framework and real-world examples of impactful partnerships, presenting a transparent and commercially attractive environment for investors.

• H.E. Amb. Darren Welch (UK Ambassador to Ethiopia)
• Dr. Brook Taye (CEO, Ethiopia Investment Holding)
• Eng. Ashebir Balcha (CEO, Ethiopia Electric Power)
• Mr. Abebe Gebrehiwot (Ministry of Finance)

This dedicated session brings together key players in development finance to explore practical de-risking tools and strategies available to investors in Ethiopia. With insights from institutions like TDB, IFC, EIB, KfW and MIGA and the session will spotlight mechanisms such as political risk insurance, blended finance, and financial guarantees — critical instruments for navigating uncertainty and unlocking investment at scale

• Mr. Admassu Tadesse (President, Trade and Development Bank – TDB)
• Ms. Leyla Traoré (Head, European Investment Bank – EIB)
• Mr. Michael Tilahun (Country Officer, IFC)
• Mr. Jonas Dylla (Country Director Ethiopia & AU, KfW)
• Ms. Jessica Wade (Senior Risk Manager, MIGA)

The forum will conclude with announcements of major deals, commitments, and discussions on fostering ongoing investment dialogue and engagement.

A formal signing of investment agreements between selected partners.(Details to be announced.)

• H.E. Dr. Zeleke Temesgen (Commissioner, Ethiopian Investment Commission)
• H.E. Mr. Ahmed Shide (Minister, Ministry of Finance)