The Ethiopian Empire is said to have the distinction of being one of two African states that survived the scramble for Africa. A lot in developmental economic theory points to a history of colonialism, both overt and discreet, in explaining why nations that have been colonized are still significantly poorer than nations that colonized.

Ethiopia was never incorporated in a European Empire, with the exception of being partially occupied by Italy in WWII. Yet Ethiopia is one of the poorest nations in the world and Africa (6th or 7th last time I checked).

In what ways was Ethiopia exploited by western powers to make it as poor as it is? What in Ethiopia's history can be said to be a contributing factor in making it poor?

I am aware that proxy warfare and several coups occurred during the Cold War. Is Ethiopia's poorness better explained by events that happened in the second half of the 20th century, or does it have nothing to do with a colonial past?