×

Ethiopia names Fitsum as new finance minister

By Thomson Reuters Oct 8, 2026 | 2:07 AM

ADDIS ABABA, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday ​named Fitsum Assefa ‌Adela as finance minister in his new cabinet, replacing Ahmed Shide who has become ‌speaker ​of the ⁠lower house of ⁠parliament.

Fitsum was formerly minister of planning and development.

The Horn of Africa country ​is reworking its external debt under the ⁠G20’s Common Framework ⁠and is gradually ​opening up its economy to ​more private investment.

Ethiopia defaulted on ‌its sole Eurobond in 2023 and earlier this year struck a ⁠preliminary restructuring deal with private creditors.

Abiy on Thursday named the ⁠chief ‌executive of state-owned Ethio ⁠Telecom, Frehiwot Tamiru, ​as ‌minister for innovation ​and technology. ⁠Mohammed Edris was made minister of defence.

(Reporting by Dawit Endeshaw; Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by ​Alexander Winning)