Post-conflict Ethiopia presents a unique landscape for economic development, characterized by both challenges and opportunities within its coastal regions. This study employs an ethnographic approach, gathering qualitative data through participant observation, interviews, and document analysis from business owners and community leaders in coastal areas of Ethiopia. Businesses in post-conflict Ethiopia often struggle with securing funding due to a lack of trust in government institutions, but they have successfully adapted by forming partnerships with international organizations and leveraging informal networks for support. This study underscores the importance of fostering community-based initiatives and strengthening public-private partnerships to facilitate sustainable business growth in post-conflict environments. Policy makers should prioritise building trust between businesses and government, while promoting collaborative frameworks that include both formal and informal stakeholders.