Ethiopia’s Development Bank to Import 50 Combine Harvesters in Current Fiscal Year

October 27, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

The Development Bank of Ethiopia plans to import 50 combine harvesters during the current fiscal year, with 11 machines worth more than 1.2 million euros already delivered to customers under a capital goods leasing scheme.

The machines are Dominator 260 models manufactured by Germany’s CLAAS, according to information released by the bank. Netsanet Zekarias, the bank’s director of capital goods procurement and supply, said the 11 harvesters were part of the planned procurement for the fiscal year.

The delivery comes as Ethiopia expands agricultural mechanisation. The number of combine harvesters in the country has risen from 448 in 2020 to more than 10,000, according to figures attributed to the Ministry of Agriculture’s agricultural mechanisation leadership in an October 2026 report by Capital.

The Development Bank has financed agricultural mechanisation for years, supporting efforts to modernise farming, increase production and productivity, and reduce crop losses during harvesting, Netsanet said.

The machines were supplied through the bank’s capital goods leasing financing scheme, which enables eligible customers to acquire equipment through lease-based arrangements rather than paying the full purchase price upfront. The bank’s published general eligibility criteria require customers to contribute at least 20 percent of project costs and submit a business plan.

Ethiopia has also used development-partner financing to expand access to agricultural equipment. A German-backed Agricultural Mechanisation Leasing Project implemented between 2018 and 2024 received 13 million euros through KfW, Germany’s development bank. The programme financed about 205 pieces of agricultural equipment, according to the Development Partners Group Ethiopia. The available information does not establish whether the latest delivery is linked to that programme.

The handover ceremony took place at Friendship Square in Addis Ababa, attended by representatives of the German development bank, CLAAS, Kaleb Service Provider Farmers House and invited guests.

Source: FSX Business News