New conference resort is the latest project under Ethiopia’s Dine for Generation initiative
Government is expanding tourism and conference infrastructure beyond Addis Ababa
Investment supports Ethiopia’s strategy to diversify the economy through tourism and business travels
Ethiopia has inaugurated the Arba Minch Conference Resort, the latest project under the government’s Dine for Generation initiative, as it continues investing in tourism infrastructure to support economic diversification and regional development. Officially opened, on July 4, by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the resort features an 85-room hotel, a conference center with capacity for more than 1,300 delegates, wellness facilities and a floating restaurant overlooking Lakes Abaya and Chamo. The project is part of a broader strategy that has evolved through the Dine for Sheger, Dine for Nation and Dine for Generation programs, which combine tourism, conservation, hospitality and public infrastructure investments to attract both leisure and business travelers.
While Dine for Sheger focused on restoring rivers, parks and public spaces in the capital, Dine for Nation expanded tourism infrastructure to destinations including Gorgora, Wenchi, Koysha and Chebera Churchura National Park. The Dine for Generation initiative builds on those projects by developing conference and hospitality facilities in regional cities, with the government aiming to spread tourism activity, investment and employment opportunities across the country.
The investment comes as Ethiopia positions tourism as a key pillar of its long-term economic strategy. The country’s Ten-Year Development Plan (2021–2030) identifies tourism as a priority sector for generating foreign exchange, creating jobs and supporting economic diversification through investments in hospitality, transport and heritage infrastructure. Authorities are also seeking to strengthen Ethiopia’s presence in Africa’s growing meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market by expanding conference facilities beyond the capital.
Government figures indicate Ethiopia hosted 204 international conferences during the 2025/26 fiscal year, attracting more than 166,000 participants and generating about US$5.2 billion in tourism-related foreign exchange earnings. By investing in conference facilities in regional destinations such as Arba Minch, the government aims to capture a larger share of business tourism while encouraging private investment in hotels, transport, restaurants and other tourism-related services. The strategy also seeks to distribute tourism revenues more evenly across the country rather than concentrating activity in Addis Ababa, which already hosts the headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
Source: Ecofin Agency
