Arba Minch, Ethiopia — April 4, 2026
The First Annual Conference on South Ethiopia Regional State Economic Development was successfully held in Arba Minch, bringing together a diverse group of policymakers, researchers, academics, and private sector representatives to deliberate on the region’s economic trajectory and policy priorities.
The conference was co-organized by the Ethiopian Economics Association and Arba Minch University, reflecting a strong partnership between academia and a leading professional association in promoting evidence-based economic dialogue.
The event commenced with a welcoming address by Dr. Wondwossen Jerene, Dean of the College of Business and Economics, representing the university, followed by opening remarks from Dr. Addis Kassahun, Vice President of the Ethiopian Economics Association. Both speakers emphasized the importance of regional platforms in addressing development challenges and fostering collaborative solutions.
The conference featured a series of technical sessions covering critical topics, including regional GDP performance, the potential impact of Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) on agricultural product traders, and market chain analysis of smallholder beef cattle farmers in Konso Zone. Presentations by experts and researchers provided valuable insights and stimulated lively discussions among participants.
A dedicated discussion session allowed participants to engage deeply with the presented findings, exchange perspectives, and propose actionable recommendations to support inclusive and sustainable economic growth in South Ethiopia.
The event concluded with a closing session led by Dr. Abule Mehare, who highlighted key takeaways and underscored the importance of institutionalizing the conference as an annual platform for continued dialogue, research dissemination, and policy engagement.
The successful convening of the conference marks an important step toward strengthening research-policy linkages and advancing the economic development agenda of the South Ethiopia Regional State.
