During the 2026 IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., an Ethiopian delegation led by Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide secured significant agreements to deepen economic ties with both the United Kingdom and the United States. 

In a meeting with the UK’s Minister for International Development, Baroness Chapman, the two nations reaffirmed their strong bilateral partnership while discussing strategies to evolve their relationship from traditional development aid toward a more robust collaboration centered on trade and investment.  

Ahmed Shide highlighted the success of Ethiopia's current economic reforms despite global pressures, prompting Baroness Chapman to commend Ethiopia's reform journey and its critical role in maintaining stability within the Horn of Africa. The UK reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ethiopia's pro-poor development initiatives and improving the broader business environment.

Parallel to these talks, the Ethiopian delegation engaged with senior U.S. Treasury officials to bolster economic cooperation, with a particular focus on strategic infrastructure projects such as the development of the Bishoftu International Airport. The U.S. officials lauded Ethiopia’s ongoing economic transition and pledged continued support through technical assistance, private sector engagement, and collaboration with international financial institutions. 

Both the UK and U.S. discussions culminated in a shared commitment to accelerate Ethiopia's economic growth and expand commercial ties. Ultimately, these high-level engagements underscore a unified effort to shift Ethiopia’s international partnerships toward sustainable investment and enhanced trade connectivity on the global stage.