Ethiopia's agribusiness revolution: join the movement

The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) of Ethiopia is encouraging international investors to take advantage of the country’s growing agriculture sector.

The government highlights a range of high-potential opportunities—from agro-processing and livestock production to agricultural machinery manufacturing.

In a recent interview with the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Sofia Kassa (PhD), state minister of the agricultural investment and input sector, said that Ethiopia offers a strong platform for agribusiness investment, supported by rising demand, abundant natural resources, and active government backing.

“Ethiopia's agriculture sector holds immense promise. From mechanization to agro-processing and livestock value chains, the opportunities for mutually beneficial investment are vast,” she said.

One key area identified by the state minister is the shortage of agricultural machinery. Sofia explained that Ethiopia’s efforts to modernise farming are slowed down by a lack of equipment, much of which must be imported using foreign currency. She urged investors to consider setting up local production or assembly of machinery, which would help meet domestic needs and encourage shared development.

Sofia also noted that Ethiopia has modern livestock facilities, including more than 10 internationally certified abattoirs. These are underutilised despite growing demand for quality meat—particularly from Saudi Arabia during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. This, she said, opens doors for investment in animal fattening and husbandry.

The State Minister also highlighted the potential in agro-processing, especially for seasonal crops like tomatoes and onions that often spoil due to limited processing facilities. Increased investment in this area could reduce waste and save foreign currency spent on importing processed foods.

She added that cold storage and cold chain logistics are lacking in the fruit and vegetable sector. With the European Union’s new regulations requiring better cold storage for perishable exports, she encouraged investors to help build the needed infrastructure.

“Ethiopia is ready for agricultural transformation, and we are calling on investors to partner with us in creating a modern, competitive, and sustainable sector,” she added.