Bringing ideas to action in Ethiopia

Last week I visited Addis Ababa, where I saw immense momentum for reform and development. This was my second visit and marked yet another step forward in our commitment to deepening Africa-India cooperation under our new EY Africa-India Super Region.

During the week, I engaged with a broad set of institutions shaping Ethiopia’s future from urban infrastructure and energy systems to digital governance and trade integration.

With the African Union, we explored how quality infrastructure can unlock the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Dr. Oswald Chinyamakobvu and his team shared the AU’s work on harmonized standards and the operationalization of the Africa Quality Infrastructure Policy (AQIP). We discussed a hub-and-spoke model to close institutional gaps, empower SMEs, and drive trade-led growth—alongside expanding access to conformity assessment services and developing climate-aligned industrial standards.

At the AU’s Department of Infrastructure & Energy, I had insightful conversations with Dr. Kamugisha Kazaura, Moses Bayingana and George Aoko. From the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) to the Africa Single Electricity Market (AFSEM) and the evolving Green Hydrogen Strategy, the AU’s infrastructure vision is bold. We explored how EY could contribute through PPP frameworks, mid-term evaluations and strategic alignment with AUDA (African Union Development Agency)-NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) implementation priorities.

With the Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU), our focus was on digital transformation and decentralized service delivery. Under the leadership of Dr. Gebeyehu Gikasa, Gemechew Yimer and Mikhail Debela, we discussed how ERP systems, regionalized utility models and PPPs could accelerate access to electricity and enhance infrastructure delivery. We also explored digital maturity assessments and Compact-style investment approaches to help scale electrification efforts nationwide.

At the Ministry of Urban & Infrastructure, our conversations with the ministry officials headed by Dr. Aman Asefa Senbeto focused on modernizing urban revenue systems, GIS reforms and digitally enabled service delivery. From digitized cadastral systems to automated valuation models, Ethiopia is laying the groundwork for scalable urban transformation. EY is excited to support this journey with expertise in smart governance, urban observatories and performance-based property management.

With the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Deputy Commissioner Zinabu Yirga Ayele outlined a compelling investment agenda—anchored in liberalized trade, SEZs, technology transfer and SME integration. We explored how EY could support customized investor journeys, pipeline development and policy modernization to enhance FDI conversion rates.

Conversations with UNICEF and the World Bank Group helped deepen our understanding of Ethiopia’s human development priorities—particularly around education, youth employment, skilling, poverty eradication and digital inclusion—and how integrated infrastructure and service delivery can accelerate inclusive growth.

This visit reaffirmed the growing strength of collaboration between Africa and India—built on shared priorities like digital public infrastructure, green energy, investment facilitation and inclusive urban growth. I look forward to the next chapter of engagement and EY’s continued contribution to Ethiopia’s inspiring journey as a regional leader.

#EY #IndiaAfricaSuperRegion #Ethiopia #UrbanTransformation #DigitalDevelopment #AfCFTA #PPP #FDI #PoweringAfrica #GovernmentAdvisory

Rajiv Memani Ajen Sita Hennie Human Sandile E Hlophe Nancy Muhoya Joseph Sheffu Akshya Singhal Anup Singh African Union Ethiopian Investment Holdings UNICEF Ethiopia The World Bank Dr Oswald CHINYAMAKOBVU Kamugisha Kazaura Moses Bayingana Aman Asefa Michael Debela African Union Commission