Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
President Tadesse Woreda Meets Tigray Business Community, Urges Federal Cooperation to Revive War-Damaged Economy
Tigray Interim Administration President General Tadesse Woreda held a high-level meeting with members of the region’s business community on Tuesday, highlighting the urgent need for federal cooperation to address the severe economic toll of the recent conflict.
The meeting, held in Mekelle, brought together business leaders, representatives from local trade associations, and officials from the interim government to assess the state of the regional economy and discuss paths to recovery.
President Tadesse acknowledged the scale of the damage, calling it “extremely serious” and emphasizing the need for swift, coordinated action. “The damage inflicted on the Tigray business community is extensive,” he said. “It is imperative that we work closely with the federal government to address these challenges—particularly on matters of debt relief, interest waivers, and restoring access to loans.”
Business representatives at the meeting echoed these concerns, urging the interim administration to expedite efforts to rebuild critical institutions, restore financial services, and reestablish trade networks within Tigray and beyond. Many called for a structured approach to economic revival, emphasizing that businesses remain hamstrung by destroyed infrastructure, lack of liquidity, and limited access to credit.
“The war didn’t just destroy buildings—it shattered the commercial backbone of our region,” said one local business leader. “We need both immediate relief and a long-term plan to rebuild.”
In his remarks, President Tadesse reiterated the importance of healing the political rift between Tigray and the federal government, stressing that rebuilding trust is essential for meaningful economic recovery. “Resolving the lingering mistrust between Tigray and the federal government is crucial to moving forward,” he said. “Only through cooperation can we create a viable environment for investment and growth.”
The meeting marks a significant step in Tigray’s post-war recovery process, as regional authorities seek both internal and federal support to rebuild an economy devastated by years of conflict. Further discussions with federal counterparts are expected in the coming weeks.
