Ethiopia achieved 9.2% real GDP growth in 2026, the world's second-fastest, sustained by +8% annual growth since 2008 despite ongoing conflicts in Tigray, Amhara, and Oromo regions. Survey data and infrastructure metrics validate the boom: electricity access rose from 29% to 43% of households, vehicle ownership jumped from 4% to 38%, and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam tripled Addis Ababa's nighttime light intensity since 2020.
Eritrea has invaded northern Ethiopia with mechanized forces, reigniting conflict after the 2022 civil war ended. The Tigray People's Liberation Front joined an alliance to overthrow PM Abiy Ahmed, backed by Eritrea and other militia groups, shattering the Pretoria peace deal. Over 20,000 Ethiopians have fled to Djibouti amid the humanitarian crisis, while federal forces have recaptured the Tigrayan capital Mekelle.