The developmental state approach has been emerging in the South East Asian countries as a state-led macro-economic policy, which resulted in dramatic economic development. This achievement was the result of the unity of the public sector and civil society, business, and labour that works in a partnership. In Ethiopia, it came into realization under Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) in 1991, together with democratic federalism, unlike the South East Asian states. Then EPRDF’s government uses state resources and state influence to eradicate poverty and expand economic opportunities. Thus, Ethiopia witnessed economic progress, which is unusual from the past. But, currently, over one-fourth of its population is still below poverty. Hence, this study hammers to investigate the efficiency of Ethiopia’s developmental state. Assess its socioeconomic development and statesociety relationships. It also provides challenges. In the end, conclusions and recommendations are forwarded.

Keywords : Developmental-state; State-society; Democracy; Poverty; Development; EPRDF and Ethiopia