KEY TAKEAWAYS
USD 5.65bn — Gold generated almost all mining export earnings during 2025/26.
61.4% increase — Gold earnings rose from USD 3.5bn in 2024/25, based on official figures.
44 tonnes — Gold production increased approximately 12.8% from nearly 39 tonnes.
Over 271,000 — Permanent mining jobs reported by the Ministry of Mines.
USD 6.7bn — Mining export earnings targeted for the 2026/27 fiscal year.
NUMBERS AND TREND SNAPSHOT
| Indicator | 2025/26 figure | Comparison or status |
|---|---|---|
| Gold export earnings | USD 5.65bn | USD 3.5bn in 2024/25; up 61.4% |
| Gold production | 44 tonnes | Nearly 39 tonnes previously; up about 12.8% |
| Total mining exports | Over USD 5.7bn | Comparable previous total not specified |
| Permanent employment | Over 271,000 | Previous figure not specified |
| 2026/27 export target | USD 6.7bn | Less than 17.5% above the USD 5.7bn baseline |
SUMMARY
Ethiopia generated more than USD 5.7 billion from mining exports during the 2025/26 fiscal year, according to Minister of Mines Habtamu Tegegne. Gold accounted for USD 5.65 billion after companies and artisanal miners produced a combined 44 tonnes, making the precious metal the sector’s dominant foreign-currency source. The ministry also reported more than 271,000 permanent jobs. ( Ethiopian News Agency)
Gold earnings increased by USD 2.15 billion, or 61.4%, from approximately USD 3.5 billion in 2024/25, based on the reported figures. Production rose by about five tonnes, or approximately 12.8%, from nearly 39 tonnes. Earnings therefore expanded considerably faster than physical output, although the available data do not explain the contribution of prices, product mix or formalisation. ( Office of the Prime Minister)
Natural-gas extraction also began during the fiscal year and is supplying large ceramic factories. Planned uses in transport, fertiliser production and electricity generation have not yet been reported as implemented. The minister said fertiliser and iron-smelting plants started operating, but their capacities and production volumes were not specified. The ministry is targeting USD 6.7 billion in mining exports during 2026/27.
WHY IT MATTERS
Mining has become a major source of foreign currency, but its export earnings remain heavily concentrated in gold. The faster increase in earnings than production could strengthen export receipts without requiring equivalent volume growth, although the underlying drivers remain unspecified. Achieving the USD 6.7 billion target would require less than 17.5% growth from the minimum reported 2025/26 total. Domestic mineral processing and natural-gas use could support import substitution if announced projects reach sustained commercial production.
WHAT TO WATCH
Customs and central-bank data confirming gold export volumes and receipts.
Progress toward the USD 6.7 billion mining-export target.
Production figures from new gas, fertiliser, iron-smelting and mineral-processing operations.