By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, April 22, 2026 - An Indian investor operating in Ethiopia’s agriculture sector has expressed strong confidence in the country’s agribusiness potential, citing its strategic location and growing export opportunities as key drivers behind plans to scale up investment.
Gajendra Singh Manpura, a shareholder in Gud Agro Plc, said his decision to invest in Ethiopia was informed by experiences across several African markets, including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia, where he observed varying levels of agricultural growth and export potential.
Speaking to the Ethiopian News Agency, Manpura noted that Ethiopia stands out not only as a large domestic market but also as a strategic base for exporting agricultural produce to global markets.
“I have realized that Ethiopia offers exceptional opportunity, not only as a large market in its own right, but also as a promising base for export growth… It is positioned close to Europe and the Middle East, making it well-suited for businesses focused on reaching global buyers,” he said.
His company is currently focused on fresh fruits and vegetables, with avocado production taking centre stage. However, the investor revealed that there are plans to diversify into other high-value crops, including bananas, as well as fresh vegetables, herbs, and berries such as strawberries and blueberries.
Manpura highlighted Ethiopia’s geographic advantage as a major factor in its export potential, noting that proximity to key markets in Europe and the Middle East, as well as access routes to India and other parts of Asia, creates a competitive edge for agricultural exporters.
At the same time, he acknowledged that logistical challenges remain, particularly in the transportation of produce from farms to ports, an issue that continues to affect efficiency within the sector.
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Despite these constraints, the investor signalled strong commitment to expanding operations, revealing that Gud Agro Plc has already invested approximately $500,000 in Ethiopia’s agriculture sector, with plans to significantly scale up.
“We have invested in agriculture, mainly fresh fruits and vegetables. Our motive is to take fresh fruits and vegetables from Ethiopia and export to different part of the world… We are seriously working. We have invested around 500,000 US dollars, but we have planned to triple the same investment so it will go up to 1,500,000 US dollars,” he said.
The planned expansion underscores growing international interest in Ethiopia’s agricultural value chains, particularly in export-oriented horticulture, as investors increasingly look to leverage the country’s natural resources, favourable climate, and strategic trade positioning.