Ethiopia is poised to hit a historic milestone, aiming to generate a record $10 billion in export revenue in the 2025/26 fiscal year, which began on July 8, 2025. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the target as a "historic milestone" that would nearly triple the nation’s export earnings compared to three years ago.
Speaking in Addis Ababa, Abiy highlighted the remarkable progress of the manufacturing sector, which has been the engine behind the surge. The sector’s growth aligns with Ethiopia’s strategy to boost exports while curbing reliance on imported goods through stronger domestic production.
The prime minister also pointed to the success of the national “Made in Ethiopia” campaign. Over the past four years, import‑substitution efforts have saved the country more than $14.5 billion in foreign currency, freeing up resources for further development.
Official figures underline the momentum: Ethiopia earned $8.3 billion in export revenue last fiscal year, a 115.8 percent jump from the prior year. In the first eight months of the current fiscal period, the nation has already secured $6.76 billion. Additionally, 993 previously closed factories have restarted operations, while 3,680 new investors have entered the manufacturing arena, boosting job creation and expanding industrial capacity.
Looking ahead, the East African economy is projected to grow by 10.2 percent this fiscal year, underpinned by the export surge and revived industrial activity. The combination of higher export earnings, increased domestic production, and a rising GDP forecast positions Ethiopia to strengthen its place in the regional and global market.
The target of $10 billion in export revenue signals a bold step forward, reflecting both policy success and the resilience of Ethiopia’s industrial base.
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Ethiopia targets record $10 billion annual export revenue: PM
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