Ethiopia has secured a renewed commitment of support from the World Bank Group, with President Ajay Banga pledging to mobilize the institution's full range of financial and technical instruments to back the country’s ambitious development plans. 

Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide, along with a high-level delegation including National Bank of Ethiopia Governor Dr. Eyob Tekalign and Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister Teklewold Atnafu, held productive discussions with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga in Washington, D.C., during the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings. 

Minister Ahmed commended the World Bank’s substantial and continuous support for Ethiopia's development, noting its current portfolio exceeds US$16 billion across key economic sectors. He updated President Banga on the macroeconomic reform program's progress, which is delivering tangible results such as strong economic growth, declining inflation, a stabilized exchange rate, and a surge in exports and remittances—all signals of growing confidence in the economy. 

Looking ahead, Ahmed Shide outlined the government's core development agenda: driving agricultural transformation through climate-smart agriculture and value-chain development; investing in human capital (education and healthcare, especially for youth and women); mobilizing private capital in sectors like manufacturing and digital through co-financing and de-risking instruments like MIGA and IFC; exploring innovative financing, including Debt-for-Development Swaps; and deepening regional integration via WTO accession and AfCFTA participation. 

President Banga congratulated Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed for his "bold and historic comprehensive macroeconomic reforms" and commended the national dialogue as crucial for social cohesion and inclusive growth. He reaffirmed the World Bank Group's strong commitment to Ethiopia's journey, pledging to mobilize the full spectrum of its financial and technical instruments to support the ongoing reform agenda and sustain macroeconomic progress for lasting development impact.