Ethiopia Moves Finance and Labour Ministers Into Parliamentary Leadership

Ethiopia has moved two of its senior cabinet officials into parliamentary leadership, with Finance Minister Ahmed Shide elected Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives and Labour and Skills Minister Muferihat Kamil taking the helm of the House of Federation.

The appointments, made on October 5 as the newly elected parliament began its first session, remove two senior figures from the executive branch as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed begins a new five-year term.

Shide, who has led the Finance Ministry since 2018, has been closely involved in Ethiopia’s economic reform programme, including efforts to restructure the country’s external debt and attract greater private-sector participation. His move to parliament comes as the government continues implementing a series of macroeconomic reforms.

The former finance minister will now preside over the lower house, which is responsible for approving federal legislation and the national budget and exercising oversight over the executive.

Muferihat, who became the country’s first Labour and Skills Minister in 2021, was elected Speaker of the House of Federation, replacing Agegnehu Teshager.

The upper house has constitutional responsibilities that include interpreting the constitution and deciding on issues concerning the rights and interests of Ethiopia’s nations, nationalities and peoples.

Muferihat previously served as Minister of Peace and was Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives before moving to the Labour and Skills Ministry. Her tenure at the ministry centred on employment creation, skills development and workforce policy.

The two appointments come as Ethiopia begins a new parliamentary term following the June 2026 general election. The changes also leave the finance and labour portfolios to be filled as Abiy forms his new cabinet.

The choice of replacements will be closely watched by businesses and investors, particularly at the Finance Ministry, which is responsible for implementing fiscal policy and supporting the government’s economic reform programme.

Shide’s departure also comes as Ethiopia continues to navigate debt restructuring, foreign-exchange reforms and efforts to deepen private-sector participation in the economy.

Source: FSX Business News