Ethiopia Secures Renewed Support for Economic Reforms from UK and Japan
Addis Ababa, October 18, 2025 – Ethiopia’s ambitious economic reform agenda has received a crucial boost as Finance Minister Ahmed Shide secured renewed commitments from both the United Kingdom and Japan. These partnerships are vital for Ethiopia’s goals to enhance economic stability and growth.
Strengthening Ties with the United Kingdom
During the recent World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings, Ahmed Shide engaged in productive discussions with the UK State Minister for International Development and Africa, Baroness Jenny Chapman. The focus of their talks was to fortify the longstanding partnership between Ethiopia and the UK, with a particular emphasis on ongoing support for Ethiopia’s reform initiatives.
Key Areas of Cooperation
The discussions spotlighted several key areas for continued collaboration, including:
- Trade and Investment: Enhancing mutual economic benefits through increased trade relations.
- Multilateral Influence: Amplifying African voices in global institutions.
- Sectoral Support: Expanding UK aid across various sectors such as health, education, water, sanitation, energy, manufacturing, humanitarian response, and revenue mobilization.
Baroness Chapman praised Ethiopia’s progress in macroeconomic reform, underscoring the UK’s committed support for the country’s development agendas.
Collaboration with Japan
In parallel, Minister Ahmed Shide met with Naoki Ando, Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to discuss a wide range of bilateral and development cooperation issues. This meeting also took place during the 2025 IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings.
Japan’s Continued Support
Minister Ahmed emphasized the importance of Japan’s long-standing partnership with Ethiopia, noting the critical financial backing that has supported development efforts over the years. He urged for an increase in financing, particularly in priority sectors such as:
- Infrastructure Development
- Energy Projects
- Industrialization Initiatives
Joint Commitment to Development
Naoki Ando reaffirmed JICA’s pledge to strengthen its partnership with Ethiopia, with plans to focus on:
- Investment Promotion: Boosting foreign investments in the Ethiopian market.
- Private Sector Development: Supporting local businesses to thrive.
- Industrial Transformation: Enhancing Ethiopia’s manufacturing capabilities.
Both parties expressed eagerness to deepen collaboration through budget support and impactful projects aimed at sustainable development in Ethiopia.
Conclusion
The renewed commitments from the United Kingdom and Japan signify a pivotal moment for Ethiopia as it seeks to propel economic growth through robust reforms and international partnerships. These collaborations are expected to foster development across various sectors and enable Ethiopia to better meet its expanding needs.
For more information on Ethiopia’s economic reforms and international partnerships, visit World Bank and JICA.
Relevant Links
The ongoing support from international partners reflects a collective commitment towards a prosperous future for Ethiopia, paving the way for comprehensive development aligned with the nation’s strategic goals.
