The Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) has announced the rollout of a new competency assessment and certification system for investment advisory services, a move aimed at professionalizing Ethiopia’s investment ecosystem and boosting confidence among foreign investors.

The announcement was made during the inauguration of the European Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia (EuroCham)’s new office in Addis Ababa, which also hosted the launch of the EU Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Excellence Centre. The Centre is designed to assist foreign investors in navigating Ethiopia’s regulatory and institutional landscape.

EIC Commissioner Zeleke Temesgen said the certification framework will ensure that foreign investors receive guidance only from qualified and accredited professionals, addressing persistent concerns over misleading advice from unregulated consultants. The absence of a standardized system, he noted, has previously undermined investor confidence and the credibility of advisory services.

Under the new framework, only certified consultants and firms will be authorized to provide formal investment advice. The EIC plans to conduct consultations with stakeholders to refine the system’s implementation.

EuroCham Board Chair Ben Depraetere welcomed the reform, citing improvements in Ethiopia’s foreign exchange environment, while urging continued progress on tax administration, customs procedures, and policy predictability. The certification system is expected to be introduced in the coming months.

Source: Capital Ethiopia Newspaper