The Oromia Investment Bureau announced that 1,495 new investors have registered investment projects with a total capital exceeding 65.41 billion Ethiopian birr. Once these projects become fully operational, they are expected to create employment opportunities for more than 168,255 people. The Bureau also stated that it has allocated 10,539.79 hectares of land for these investment projects.

The investors who received approval from the Oromia Investment Board include domestic investors, foreign direct investors (FDIs), model farmers, members of micro and small enterprises (MSEs), and cooperative unions that have accumulated capital and transitioned into investment activities.

Speaking to the media, the Head of the Oromia Investment and Industry Bureau, Mr. Ahmad Idris, stated that the Oromia Regional Government has made investment a top leadership priority and continues to undertake major initiatives to expand investment across the region. As part of these efforts, investment opportunities and sectoral potential have been identified and prepared through coordinated collaboration among relevant institutions, enabling the region to welcome a large number of investment projects.

Accordingly, at its meeting held on 26/10/2018 (Ethiopian Calendar), the Oromia Investment Board approved 1,495 new investment projects registered during the fourth quarter with a total capital of ETB 65.41 billion. Once fully operational, these projects are expected to create employment opportunities for more than 168,255 people in the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors.

Overall, during the 2018 Ethiopian Fiscal Year, the Oromia Investment Board conducted four rounds of meetings and approved 13,238 new investment projects with a combined registered capital exceeding ETB 471.31 billion. When fully implemented, these projects are expected to create more than 1,143,437 jobs, with 168,608.79 hectares of investment land allocated for their implementation.

In accordance with the Investment Proclamation and Directive, investors who have received Board approval are required to sign investment agreements and commence project implementation within 45 days.

Mr. Ahmad further noted that continuous government support—including training, access to finance, infrastructure development, skilled manpower, and other facilitation services—has increased industrial productivity in the region to 69.5%. During the current fiscal year alone, strengthened support and follow-up enabled more than 5,770 agricultural, manufacturing, and service investment projects to begin production.

He added that these investments have created substantial employment opportunities, increased domestic production to replace imported goods, expanded exports, and enhanced technology transfer.

Finally, Mr. Ahmad invited both domestic and foreign investors to invest in Oromia, emphasizing that the region offers a favorable environment and abundant opportunities across all investment sectors.