A major highlight of the morning was the plenary panel discussion titled “Wages for Dignity: Advancing Minimum Wage Policy for Inclusive Growth in Ethiopia,” featuring respected economists and labor policy experts. The panel sparked vibrant discussion on wage fairness, employment, and social equity, followed by active audience participation. Attendees also received key insights from the presentation of the Ethiopian Economy 2025 Report, focusing on fiscal developments including budget trends, tax revenues, and public debt.

In the afternoon, participants took part in a series of thematic parallel sessions covering a wide range of pressing topics such as trade and geopolitics, fiscal policy, conflict recovery, migration, gender, agriculture, and natural resource governance. The sessions offered rigorous analysis and encouraged thoughtful exchange among academics, practitioners, and policymakers, reaffirming the value of the conference as a platform for solution-oriented dialogue.

As Day One wraps up, excitement builds for Day Two of the conference, which promises another rich agenda. Proceedings will begin with a high-level plenary featuring UNECA and the launch of the Economic Report on Africa 2025, exploring the implementation of AfCFTA and the continent’s trade integration strategies. Further sessions will cover critical themes such as youth employment trends, macroeconomic shocks, digital finance, land use, food systems, and social welfare. With a strong foundation laid on the first day, participants are looking forward to continuing the exchange of ideas and presenting data-driven solutions to advance Ethiopia’s inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.

Stay tuned for updates, insights, and post-conference materials as the conversation continues tomorrow.