Ethiopia has been one of Africa's fastest-growing economies over the past decade, with an average annual GDP growth of 9-10% until 2019. While growth slowed due to COVID-19 and internal conflicts, the economy is showing signs of recovery.
Source: 2025 Economic Data
Source: 2025 Economic Data
The Ethiopian Birr has faced significant depreciation pressure, with a wide gap between official and parallel market rates.
Source: 2025 Economic Data
| Sector | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Services | 43% |
| Industry | 22% |
| Agriculture | 35% |
Services have surpassed agriculture as the largest sector, reflecting Ethiopia's economic transformation.
Source: 2025 Economic Data
Ethiopia's industrial policy focuses on light manufacturing, particularly textiles and agro-processing, as part of its "Made in Ethiopia" strategy.
Ethiopia aims to become a major global textile hub, leveraging low labor costs and preferential trade access.
Source: Ethiopian Textile Industry Development Institute
Major parks include Hawassa, Bole Lemi, and Kombolcha, with significant Chinese and Turkish investment.
Source: Ethiopian Investment Commission
Manufacturing is growing faster than overall GDP, driven by industrial park investments.
Source: Central Statistical Agency
| Product | Export Value |
|---|---|
| Coffee | $1.2B |
| Oilseeds | $420M |
| Textiles | $1.2B |
| Flowers | $380M |
| Gold | $650M |
Source: Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority
Source: Ethiopian Tourism Commission
Addis Ababa accounts for 40% of hotel capacity, followed by Bahir Dar and Hawassa.
Source: Ethiopian Tourism Commission
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 11 properties (9 cultural, 2 natural)
Source: UNESCO, Ethiopian Tourism Commission
Tourism is identified as a key growth sector in Ethiopia's Ten-Year Development Plan.
Source: World Travel & Tourism Council
Ethiopia's digital transformation is accelerating with telecom liberalization and fintech innovation.
Private operators (Safaricom, MTN) launched services in 2022, ending Ethio Telecom's monopoly.
Source: Ethiopian Communications Authority
Mobile money transaction value grew by 200% annually since 2022.
Source: National Bank of Ethiopia
Key sectors: fintech, agritech, e-commerce, and healthtech.
Source: BlueMoon Ventures, 2025
Government aims for 60% internet penetration by 2030 through digital transformation strategy.
Source: Ministry of Innovation and Technology
Source: 2025 Economic Data
Source: 2025 Economic Data
Source: 2025 Economic Data
Source: 2025 Economic Data
Source: 2025 Economic Data
Source: 2025 Economic Data
Source: 2025 Economic Data
Source: 2025 Economic Data
The government has built thousands of km of new paved roads in recent years, including major corridors connecting interior regions.
Note: Many rural areas still lack all-weather roads.
Source: Ministry of Transport, 2022
Rail transport is playing an increasing role in freight movement to Djibouti ports.
Source: Ethiopian Railways Corporation, 2023
Mobile subscriptions now exceed the population (several SIMs per person), but data penetration remains low. Fixed-line broadband is rare.
Source: Ethio Telecom, 2023
Ethiopia has significant renewable energy potential, with hydro, wind, solar and geothermal resources.
Source: Ethiopian Electric Power, 2023
Rural poverty is much higher than urban. No recent official survey is available post-2015.
Source: World Bank, recent estimates
Income inequality has risen only modestly; it remains lower than many African peers.
Source: World Factbook, 2021
Source: UNDP, 2021
Source: UNICEF, World Bank
Precise figures on new business registrations are not readily published. Pre-reform data suggest very few new firms are formally registered each year relative to the growing population.
Informal micro-enterprises (especially in trade and services) dominate.
Source: Central Statistical Agency
Reflects lengthy procedures and high costs (e.g. many licenses, delays in getting construction permits, limited credit access).
Reform efforts are ongoing but impact has been limited so far.
Source: World Bank, 2019
Leaving a large informal sector. MFIs are active in rural areas, but credit remains scarce for small entrepreneurs.
Mobile money services began in 2022 (by new operators) and may soon expand access.
Source: National Bank of Ethiopia
Especially in urban areas – though no official data is available.
The government cites a large "ghost workers" problem, and many micro-businesses operate outside formal regulation.
Source: Industry reports and estimates
Capital city accounts for 20% of national GDP with strong services and manufacturing sectors.
Source: Addis Ababa Bureau of Finance and Economic Development
Largest region by population and GDP, with strong agricultural base and growing industrial zones.
Source: Oromia Bureau of Finance and Economic Development
Significant agricultural production and growing manufacturing sector, though impacted by recent conflicts.
Source: Amhara Bureau of Finance and Economic Development
Diverse agricultural production including coffee, tea, and spices, with growing tourism sector.
Source: SNNPR Bureau of Finance and Economic Development
Youth unemployment remains a significant challenge at 25.4%.
Source: Central Statistical Agency
Skills mismatch remains a challenge with many graduates lacking job-relevant skills.
Source: Ministry of Education
Wage growth has not kept pace with inflation, reducing real incomes.
Source: Ministry of Labor and Skills
| Sector | Employment Share |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | 68% |
| Services | 22% |
| Industry | 10% |
Agriculture remains the dominant employer despite its declining share of GDP.
Source: Central Statistical Agency
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia dominates with 65% market share.
Source: National Bank of Ethiopia
Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) will be Africa's newest stock market.
Source: Ethiopian Capital Market Authority
Life insurance accounts for 45% of the market, with strong growth potential.
Source: National Bank of Ethiopia
MFIs play crucial role in financial inclusion, especially in rural areas.
Source: Association of Ethiopian Microfinance Institutions
Rapid urbanization driving demand for housing, particularly in major cities.
Source: Ministry of Urban Development and Construction
Infrastructure development and urbanization driving construction boom.
Source: Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation
Grade A office space remains limited, with strong demand from multinationals.
Source: Commercial Real Estate Association
Tourism growth driving hotel development, particularly in Addis Ababa and regional capitals.
Source: Ethiopian Hotels Association
Our economic data is compiled from the following official and multilateral sources:
We strive to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information available. Last updated: August 2025.