President Taye Atske Selassie urges trust, investment, and Ethiopia’s transformative development pillars

January 28, 2018

President Taye Atske Selassie delivered a landmark address at the World Governments Summit 2026 in Dubai, UAE, calling for renewed trust, stronger partnerships, and bold investment to unlock Africa’s vast potential in a rapidly evolving global order.

Speaking before international leaders, President Taye underscored the transformative promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), describing it as a cornerstone for regional integration and prosperity.

The President emphasized that Ethiopia’s national priorities are aligned with Africa’s broader vision of sustainable growth and resilience.

Outlining Ethiopia’s industrial upgrade strategy, the President highlighted three strategic pillars. First, energy as a regional catalyst: Ethiopia now generates more than 6,000 megawatts of clean power, positioning itself as a hub for renewable energy in East Africa.

Second, food self-sufficiency: Ethiopia’s coffee sector has reached a record 640,000 tons of production, supported by the planting of 8.5 billion high-quality seedlings, reinforcing its role as a global coffee leader.

Third, air connectivity: Ethiopia is advancing construction of a $12.5 billion international airport designed to handle 110 million passengers and over three million tons of cargo annually, a project set to redefine Africa’s aviation landscape.

President Taye concluded by urging collective action, stressing that Africa’s future depends on bold choices and shared commitments.