paper giant
Addis Ababa says rebasing confirms Ethiopia as sub-Saharan Africa’s third-largest economy. Economists say the bigger number does little for borrowing or growth, but a lot for the taxman.
By
Michael Masrie
Ethiopia’s economy is 59% larger than it was a week ago. Rebased national accounts lift nominal GDP for the 2017 (2024/25) Ethiopian fiscal year (EFY) from Br15.09trn to Br24.03trn ($201.4bn). For last year (2025/26), Finance Minister Fitsum Assefa estimates output at Br31.86trn ($210.7bn) and claims Ethiopia is now sub-Saharan Africa’s third-largest economy.
