Ethiopia is gaining international attention as a promising hub for innovation, with the recently released Startup Ecosystem Report 2025 highlighting the country among the world’s leading “Contender Ecosystems.” According to the report, these are countries with emerging startup scenes that have not yet reached the global top 100 but are demonstrating strong potential to join the ranks in future editions.The Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025, published by StartupBlink, notes that Ethiopia’s ecosystem is rapidly evolving, driven by a surge in entrepreneurial activity, a growing pool of tech talent, and supportive government initiatives. “Contender Ecosystems” are specifically recognized for their momentum and capacity to make significant leaps in global rankings, and Ethiopia stands out as a notable example in this year’s analysis.The report credits Ethiopia’s progress to several factors, including increased collaboration between the public and private sectors, the rise of innovation hubs in cities like Addis Ababa, and a focus on digital infrastructure and policy reforms. The country’s population of over 120 million presents a vast untapped market, further fueling the interest of investors and ecosystem builders.“Ethiopia is showing remarkable growth and is well-positioned to break into the global top 100 startup ecosystems in the near future,” the report states. It also highlights the importance of maintaining momentum in Addis Ababa’s ecosystem while encouraging other cities to join the global startup map.The Startup Ecosystem Report 2025 emphasizes that contender countries like Ethiopia are critical to the future of global innovation, as they represent new frontiers for entrepreneurship and technology-driven development. The report encourages continued investment in talent, infrastructure, and regulatory improvements to help these ecosystems realize their full potential.