Foreign Policy published on 18 February 2026 an article titled "What's Behind Ethiopia's Double Digit Growth: And Can Addis Ababa's Boon Last?" by Nosmot Gdabamosi.
Ethiopia's impressive growth rate is being driven by floating the exchange rate for its currency, the birr, and strong exports of coffee and gold. But high debt and involvement in Sudan's civil war could reverse the current positive numbers.
Ethiopia Insight published on 27 December 2025 an analysis titled "Ethiopia's Currency Gamble" by Mintesinot Melaku.
The IMF encouraged Ethiopia to adopt a floating exchange rate. The author explains why Ethiopia was ill-prepared to implement this currency reform program. The core problem is the inability to generate sufficient foreign exchange income.
Finance in Africa posted on 12 October 2025 an article titled "Ethiopia's GDP Accelerates as Exports Hit Record $8.3bn" by Amarachi Orjiude-Ndibe.
Ethiopia's economy expanded 8.8 percent in fiscal year 2024/25, which ended on 8 July. Ethiopia expects to achieve 9 percent growth for the current fiscal year. Annual inflation remains a concern at almost 14 percent last fiscal year.
Ethiopia Insight published on 5 September 2025 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Debt: When Reform Becomes Punishment" by Eyob Yohannes, a writer based in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is caught between a history of reckless borrowing and foreign imposed belt tightening, resulting in price volatility and diminished purchasing power. The painful economic reforms occur during a period of internal political conflict.
Foreign Policy posted n 19 December 2024 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Precarious Economic Reforms" by Liam Taylor, freelance journalist based in Addis Ababa.
The author argues that Ethiopia's economic reform package is "fraught with jeopardy." Political instability and a history of foreign investors who have been burned in Ethiopia does not bode well for the program.
Ethiopia Insight published on 5 November 2024 a commentary titled "Now the Birr Floats, Will Ethiopia Sink or Swim?" by Muktar Ismail, regional analyst and former advisor to the president of Somali Region.
Last July, Ethiopia adopted a market-determined exchange rate, lifted most current account restrictions, and modernized its monetary policy framework in order to pave the way for International Monetary Fund and World Bank bailouts.
Ethiopia has regressed from two decades of economic and social progress and faces growing economic challenges. The recent economic policy reform has witnessed a plummeting depreciation of the currency and strong inflationary pressure. The author concludes that IMF and donor financing are unlikely to stabilize an economy plagued by conflict, poor management, and rapid currency depreciation.
Quartz Africa published on 5 July 2022 an analysis titled "Hyperinflation in Ethiopia Is the Product of Cascading Missteps" by Hawi Dadhi.
Since 2017 the value of Ethiopia's birr has fallen 126 percent against the US dollar. There is a severe shortage of foreign currency. Inflation has increased significantly, and the civil war has resulted in massive domestic debt.
