NAIROBI, 09 Nov. - (ANA) - Ethiopia has revised the size of its economy up by nearly 60% to $201 billion after rebasing its national ​accounts, according to a government presentation seen by Reuters.

The statistical ‌overhaul could shift key debt metrics as the country tries to conclude a long-running debt restructuring.

 

Ethiopia's 2024/2025 economy was revised up by 59.2% to $201.42 ​billion after the base year for calculating GDP was ​shifted to 2024/2025 from 2015/2016. 

 

The government put the size ⁠of the economy at $210.7 billion in 2025/26, according to the ​presentation.

 

Rebasing the economy is an internationally accepted practice, recently undertaken by ​Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, aimed at capturing emerging industries and other economic shifts.

 

The presentation did not specify which exchange rate is used, but the figures ​appeared to reflect the prevailing rate in 2024/2025.

 

The birr currency ​weakened steeply in 2024 after the government allowed it to trade freely against ‌the ⁠dollar as part of reforms needed to secure an International Monetary Fund programme.

 

The presentation cited the need to accurately capture the economic input from digital financial services, ride-sharing platforms and "massive solar ​installations".

 

"Clearer economic data ​directly feeds into ⁠better credit ratings, lowers the risk premium on future international sovereign borrowing, and strengthens foreign direct ​investment inflows," the presentation said.

 

Ethiopia is approaching the ​end of ⁠a years-long external debt overhaul; holders of its $1 billion Eurobond approved a preliminary restructuring agreement in August.

 

The rebasing will increase Ethiopia's nominal GDP ⁠and ​lower its debt-to-GDP and tax-to-GDP ratios, ​according to the presentation, while boosting its ranking among Africa's biggest economies. - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/09 November 2026 - - -