Panel Calls for an Innovative Private Sector to Drive Ethiopiaโs Economic Transformation
ADDIS ABABA, March 12, 2026 โ
The Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) has called for a fundamental shift in the Ethiopian business landscape, urging the private sector to evolve beyond conventional commerce toward a disruptive and innovative model capable of competing on the global stage.
Speaking at the 4th Addis chamber Public-Private Consultative Forum held at the Capital Hotel, Dr. Hassen Hussein, CEO of EDI, delivered a keynote address to a diverse group of stakeholders, including business leaders, government officials, institutional delegates, and the media.
He challenged the status quo, stating that a nationโs economic transformation in the modern era is measured not only by trade volume but also by its density of successful startups and unicorns.
Dr. Hassen identified a triple-threat of challenges currently constraining Ethiopian entrepreneurs: mindset and skill gaps, legislative hurdles, and limited access to finance.
“We are dedicated to working with stakeholders to dismantle the barriers facing the business community,” Dr. Hassen remarked. “For the country to achieve true economic transformation, we must cultivate more investors and support existing ones.
Moreover, we need to empower a business community that competes in the global market through entrepreneurship and innovation.”
He emphasized that EDIโs role is to serve as an echo for the business communityโs voice alongside like-minded partners, ensuring that national policies create a platform ready for rapid growth.
To turn this vision into reality, the event featured a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between EDI and the 80-years-old Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (Addis Chamber).
The purpose of this MoU is to create a strategic partnership framework between EDI and the Addis Chamber to promote entrepreneurship development, enhance private sector growth, and foster innovation.
By building a robust entrepreneurship ecosystem, the partnership aims to drive sustainable growth in Ethiopia & for the nearly half a million business members of the city represented by Addis Chamber.
Mrs. Zehara Mohammed, President of Addis Chamber, underscored that without solving the various challenges facing the business community, innovators and entrepreneurs will continue to face stagnation.
She noted that providing a lasting remedy requires a collective effort, with the MoU serving as a formal commitment to creating streamlined pathways for the private sector to scale.
The forum moved beyond policy discussion to implement practical steps. In addition to the EDI agreement, the Addis Chamber signed MoUs with Awash Bank and the Addis Ababa Business Trading Enterprise, signaling a united front between the association, government institutions, and private financial giants.
The program also featured an in-depth panel discussion with officials and experts from the National Bank of Ethiopia, the Ministry of Finance, the Addis Ababa City Administration, and Banking sector and scholars .
The panelists addressed critical issues regarding land and credit processes, offering potential solutions for the private sector during an interactive Q&A session.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Zekarias Asefa, Secretary General of the Addis Chamber, and a recognition ceremony for partners.
As the forum ended, the message from EDI remained clear: while the infrastructure for Ethiopia is being built, its ultimate success requires a private sector willing to innovate and disrupt.
