Development Partners Updated on Ethiopia’s Economic Reform Program

Addis Ababa, April 27, 2021 (FBC) – State Minister of the Minister of Finace, Dr. Eyob Tekalign briefed Development Partners Group (DPG), executive committee members, on the current status of the Home-Grown Economic Reform program, COVID-19 situation in the country, election, and current situation in Tigray.

The State Minister presented the progress, achievements, and challenges faced by the economic reform program of Ethiopia.

Dr. Eyob explained to the participants about achievements made in improving legal frameworks, measures taken to improve the performance of State-Owned Enterprises, and the results brought about through the implementation of sector strategies and studies that were undertaken to create a conducive environment for the private sector to participate in the national economy.

In this aspect, he explained the progress in the telecoms sector reform and progress made to liberalize the sector. Dr. Eyob elaborated how the liberalization of the telecom sector will pave way for the country to develop its digital economy and support the growing business environment in Ethiopia.

Furthermore, Dr. Eyob said the reforms have resulted in increasing export revenue, jobs created, and enhanced performance of the agriculture sector despite the obstacles brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also used the opportunity to request continued support from the development partners to the reform program. With regards to addressing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic he said it is important to ensure a just and equitable approach to the global sharing of vaccinations for COVID-19.

This, he said, is critical to make way for sustainable economic recovery for countries like Ethiopia. Other issues discussed with the DPG include the preparations for the upcoming sixth general elections in Ethiopia which will take place on June 5, 2021 and the current situation in Tigray where he said the Government of Ethiopia is providing a significant portion of the humanitarian assistance to those in need and asked for development partners to increase their support in this area.

The Development Partners Group (DPG) comprises 30 bilateral and multilateral development partners. The main objective of DPG is to foster policy dialogue and harmonize development partners’ support for effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the national development plan and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ethiopia.