Even though Ethiopia’s economy is based on agriculture, the government is pushing to diversify into manufacturing, textiles and energy generation. Coffee is a major export crop, and recent joint efforts by the Ethiopian government and donors have strengthened the country’s agricultural resilience. The banking, insurance, telecoms and micro-credit industries are restricted to domestic investors, but Ethiopia has attracted significant foreign investment in textiles, leather, commercial agriculture and manufacturing.

Name Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Capital Addis Ababa

Frequency of elections Every six years

Name of parliament Parliament of Ethiopia

Parliament website www.ethiopar.net

Languages Oromo, Amharic, Somali, Tigrigna, Sidamo, Wolaytta, Gurage, Afar, Hadiyya, Gamo, English, Arabic, Gedeo, Opuuo, Kafa

Area 1 104 300 km²

Population 96 633 458 (July 2014 est)

Imports Foodstuffs and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles

Exports Coffee, khat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds

Currency Birr

Source: CIA World Factbook
Image: Greatstock/Corbis