House of People’s Representatives Unanimously Approves Ethiopian Startup Proclamation











House of People’s Representatives Unanimously Approves Ethiopian Startup Proclamation

The House of People’s Representatives, during its second emergency session of the fourth year of its current term, has unanimously passed the much-anticipated Ethiopian Startup Proclamation.

According to Dr. Negeri Lencho, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Employment, and Technology Affairs, the proclamation marks a pivotal milestone in Ethiopia’s journey toward building an innovation-driven economy. “The adoption and enforcement of this proclamation will not only allow Ethiopia to harness its untapped potential but will also enable the country to compete effectively on the global stage,” he stated.

The new legislation is set to be implemented across federal, regional, and city governments, ensuring a comprehensive and harmonized national approach to fostering entrepreneurship.

The Ethiopian Startup Proclamation is designed to inspire and support the country’s many talented and creative citizens. It aims to shift Ethiopia from being primarily a consumer of foreign innovations and products to becoming a creator, producer, and exporter of its own technologies and solutions.

Crucially, the proclamation recognizes the central role that startups play in driving sustainable economic growth, technological advancement, and job creation. By providing an enabling legal and institutional framework, it seeks to improve the success rate of startups, facilitate access to financial resources, and expand employment opportunities across various sectors.

Experts believe the proclamation will also help bridge the gap between innovation and market access, particularly for youth- and women-led ventures, thereby positioning startups as engines of inclusive development.

With this move, Ethiopia joins a growing number of countries that are proactively shaping startup ecosystems through dedicated policy tools—signaling its commitment to nurturing local innovation and empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs.