31/03/2026
At the 4th “Invest in Ethiopia 2026” Forum, it was encouraging to see investment deals worth USD 13.1 billion signed. Two anchor investments account for USD 12 billion, while the remaining USD 1.1 billion comes from Quantum-Everest, Gobez Electric Manufacturing PLC, Sun King, Rashmi Group, and Liaoning Fangda Group Industrial Co., Ltd.
Among these, the standout is the USD 10 billion agreement with Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Limited. According to the Ethiopian Investment Commission, the company will engage in “developing energy infrastructure in renewable energy, hydrogen, and green ammonia production sectors.”
This immediately brought back memories of discussions at the Africa Energy Forum (AEF), particularly the session I attended in Brussels. One key takeaway was the significant role of the shipping industry in global carbon emissions—and the growing consensus that green hydrogen and green ammonia are critical to decarbonizing the sector.
Green hydrogen, produced by using renewable energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, requires exactly what Ethiopia possesses in abundance: water resources and clean energy potential. At the time, the industry was still nascent, with only a few players shaping the conversation. Yet even then, the opportunity for Ethiopia seemed evident.
It is therefore particularly gratifying to now see a major deal materialize in this space—right here in Addis Ababa—leveraging Ethiopia’s natural competitive advantages.
Looking ahead, Ethiopia’s green hydrogen ambitions should align closely with global climate initiatives to maximize impact. The shipping industry alone emits around 1 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually (approximately 3% of global emissions), making it a prime target for transformation.
Ming Yang, a global leader in renewable energy and decarbonization, is well positioned to play a role in this transition. Given that the Red Sea route accounts for 20–30% of global container traffic, there is a compelling opportunity for Ethiopia, together with partners like Ming Yang, to contribute meaningfully to greening one of the world’s most critical trade corridors.
This is not just an investment story—it is a strategic positioning of Ethiopia in the future of global energy and trade. Congratulations to Ethiopian Investment Commission for it’s big success !