Navigating the Post-Conflict Terrain: A Study of Business Challenges and Opportunities in Ethiopia (2010–2025)

This qualitative study investigates the distinct challenges and opportunities for business development within post-conflict African states, focusing on Ethiopia from 2010 to 2025. It addresses a critical gap in understanding how enterprises navigate the complex institutional and social terrain following large-scale conflict. The research employs a rigorous qualitative methodology, drawing on 35 in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted with business owners and senior managers across Addis Ababa, Mekelle, and Bahir Dar between 2022 and 2024. Data were analysed using a systematic thematic approach. The findings reveal that persistent operational challenges—including infrastructural deficits, disrupted supply chains, and regulatory uncertainty—are profoundly exacerbated by the social legacy of conflict, such as eroded trust. Conversely, the analysis identifies significant opportunities arising from reconstruction demands, import substitution, and the potential for business to act as a catalyst for social cohesion. The study concludes that sustainable business success in such environments is contingent upon adaptive, context-sensitive strategies that prioritise community engagement and local value creation. These insights contribute to scholarly debates on post-conflict political economy and offer practical implications for policymakers aiming to foster a conducive environment for inclusive, resilient private sector growth.