AMN PLUS-July 1, 2026
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has said that although Ethiopia has been recognized for its tourism potential since ancient times, the country lacked the favorable conditions needed to fully develop the sector.
In an exclusive interview with NBC Ethiopia, the Prime Minister noted that Ethiopia possesses abundant tourism resources. However, he said the country’s longstanding challenge has been its failure to add value to these resources and market them effectively.
Highlighting the country’s vast tourism potential, Abiy pointed out that areas such as Bale and Jimma alone could become major sources of national income.
He said history bears witness to the naturally endowed landscapes and topography of these areas. However, in the past, tourists traveling to such destinations lacked comfortable facilities.
The Prime Minister explained that the government has now taken concrete steps to improve these conditions, particularly by developing accommodation facilities for visitors.
Referring to Jimma, Abiy noted that the area is home to numerous historical assets linked to trade, including civet, coffee and other significant cultural and historical heritages.
The Prime Minister emphasized that these examples demonstrate Ethiopia has long possessed abundant tourism wealth, but the sector had not received the attention it deserved.
“I am particularly amazed by the ancient methods King Abba Jifar used to attract and retain traders coming to Jimma from Arab countries,” Abiy said.
He stressed the importance of learning from the past to strengthen Ethiopia’s culture of welcoming and attracting tourists.
Prime Minister Abiy added that the government is giving special attention to the country’s vast tourism sector. By adopting valuable practices from its history while addressing areas that require improvement and adding greater value, the government is working to create more favorable conditions for tourism development.
By Leta Teresa
