Ethiopian Investment Laws
The Ethiopian Investment Board Directive to Regulate Foreign Investors’ Participation in Restricted Export, Import, Wholesale and Retail Trade Investments No. 1001/2024 (March 2024, Addis Ababa)
The Ethiopian Investment Board Directive No. 1001/2024, issued in March 2024, allows qualified foreign investors to participate in selected export, import, wholesale, and retail trade sectors that were previously restricted to Ethiopian nationals. The directive sets clear eligibility criteria, minimum investment thresholds, and performance requirements—such as export volume commitments, infrastructure standards, and compliance agreements with regulatory bodies. Its goal is to modernize Ethiopia’s trade system, enhance competition, improve service quality, and attract capable foreign investors while safeguarding national economic interests.
Investment Incentive Regulation No. 517/2022, also known as the Council of Ministers Investment Incentives Regulation, was enacted on 12 July 2022 to implement tax and duty incentives under Ethiopia’s Investment Proclamation No. 1180/2020 and the Customs Proclamation No. 859/2014 (as amended)