ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (BG)—During her official visit to Addis Ababa on Saturday, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva commended Ethiopia’s economic reforms, calling them bold and transformative.

She praised the country’s progress under the Homegrown Economic Reform Program, emphasizing the importance of maintaining reform momentum.

“I saw here in Addis Ababa the signs of a vibrant private sector-led market economy and am delighted the IMF is a partner for the government’s homegrown reform agenda,” Georgieva posted on X, formerly Twitter.

During her visit, Georgieva met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide, and National Bank of Ethiopia Governor Mamo Mihretu.

Discussions focused on Ethiopia’s economic liberalization, IMF support, and strategies for sustaining growth.

She acknowledged Ethiopia’s efforts to enhance macroeconomic stability, attract investment, and modernize its financial sector.

A key highlight of Ethiopia’s reforms includes the launch of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), a milestone in the country’s financial modernization.

Ethiopia officially opened its banking sector to foreign investors in December 2024, marking a significant step in economic liberalization.

Abiy reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to reform, stating on X that the IMF-supported program is rooted in a “Home-Grown Vision and Reform Agenda” and has delivered encouraging results.

He expressed confidence that continued implementation would drive economic stability, growth, and improved living standards.

Georgieva also engaged with Ethiopian business leaders, noting that recent reforms are improving the investment climate.

“Important to keep momentum with an efficient and predictable tax and regulatory environment that will pave the way for strong private-sector growth,” she said.

Ethiopia’s economic transformation has positioned the country as a model for reform-driven growth in Africa.

Continued collaboration between the government and private partners will shape the country’s financial future.