Shaping Ethiopia's Economic Future: Insights into the Capital Market in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Economics Association (EEA), in collaboration with FES Ethiopia, recently held the its 21st International Conference on the Ethiopian Economy for leading economists, practitioners, media representatives, and other key stakeholders. The conference provided a critical platform for discussing and analyzing various aspects of Ethiopia's economic landscape, with a particular focus on Ethiopia’s capital market development.

The panel discussion on capital market development in Ethiopia focused on several key topics, including sustainability, true financial inclusion, and Ethiopia's emerging role in the carbon market. These discussions highlighted the importance of integrating sustainable practices within Ethiopia's financial systems, emphasizing the need for inclusive economic strategies that reach all segments of society.

In addition to the panel, the conference featured a presentation by Solomon Zena on the impacts of large-scale land transactions on the welfare and livelihoods of hosting communities. This presentation shed light on the critical balance between economic development and social welfare, underscoring the need for policies that are not only economically sound but also socially responsible.

Participants were later divided into thematic groups to delve deeper into specific areas of interest, including institutions, shocks and policy, agriculture, environment and climate change, and gender and human development. These focused discussions allowed for a comprehensive examination of the various challenges and opportunities within Ethiopia's economic landscape.

The insights and outcomes of the FES-EEA conference are expected to make significant contributions to the field of economics in Ethiopia, potentially influencing shifts in economic policy by addressing the challenges of capital market development, sustainability, and financial inclusion.