Ethiopia and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) are set to deepen their strategic partnership, with a focus on financing major infrastructure and energy projects, including the proposed new international airport.

Ethiopian Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide, met with SFD CEO Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad on the sidelines of the 2025 World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings to solidify the growing relationship.

Minister Ahmed thanked the SFD for its ongoing support and pushed for enhanced collaboration, highlighting Ethiopia's urgent need for investment in key sectors. He specifically pitched the mega project to build a new international airport as a priority investment area.

In response, CEO Al-Marshad reaffirmed the SFD's commitment to Ethiopia, promising enhanced concessional financing for projects that align with the country's sustainable development goals. Al-Marshad confirmed the Fund's readiness to explore financing the new airport project, viewing it as an opportunity to promote economic integration and job creation.

The leaders also discussed strategies to boost private sector engagement and forge stronger investment ties between Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia. The meeting concluded with a commitment to advance the partnership for mutual prosperity and sustainable development.