By Staff Writer Sept. 4, 2026 (ENA) Ethiopia closed the 2018 Ethiopian calendar year with a week marked by accelerating economic transformation, expanding digital ambitions and a more assertive focus on strategic national interests. From agriculture and exports to digitalization, housing finance, water resources and maritime access, developments during the final days of the year pointed to an emerging national agenda centered on productive capacity, economic resilience, strategic autonomy and deeper integration into regional and global markets. The five-day Pagume programme provided a platform for the government to take stock of progress in economic reform, agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy, technology and national resilience while outlining priorities for the year ahead. The figures presented during the week offered concrete indicators of the scale of this transformation. More than 33.5 million hectares were cultivated during the 2025/26 fiscal year, producing more than 1.85 billion quintals of agricultural output, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Livestock exports generated 128.3 million USD, up from about $95 million previously, an increase of more than 35 percent. Ethiopia also earned more than 11.2 billion USD in export revenues during the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year and has set a target of 13.4 billion USD for 2026/27, reflecting an intensified drive to expand exports, generate foreign exchange and move toward higher-value production. Taken together, these developments signal an economy seeking not only faster growth but also a stronger productive base capable of reducing import dependence, easing foreign-exchange pressures and strengthening resilience to external shocks. Economic Transformation: From Reform to Productive Capacity Economic transformation emerged as the defining theme of the week. As Ethiopia prepared to enter a new calendar year, the Government Communication Service used Pagume to highlight what it described as progress in macroeconomic stability, revenue mobilization, exports, agricultural and industrial production, renewable energy and major infrastructure development. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed placed these achievements within a broader national sovereignty and self-reliance agenda, pointing to rising wheat production, expanding domestic manufacturing and initiatives such as Yelemat Trufat (Bounty of the Basket) and Made in Ethiopia. The direction reflects Ethiopia’s ongoing Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, which seeks to address macroeconomic imbalances, strengthen the foreign-exchange market, improve debt sustainability and create greater space for private-sector investment. The emerging model is therefore about more than growth. It is increasingly about producing more, processing more, exporting more and competing more effectively in global markets. Agriculture: A Pillar of Economic Sovereignty Agriculture remains central to Ethiopia’s transformation because it links food security, employment, rural incomes, exports and industrial development. The reported cultivation of more than 33.5 million hectares and agricultural output exceeding 1.85 billion quintals underscore the scale of the sector. The government is seeking to raise productivity through irrigation, mechanization, improved seeds, fertilizer production, livestock development and agro-processing, with the longer-term goal of moving from predominantly subsistence-oriented agriculture toward a more productive and commercially integrated sector. Wheat production has acquired particular strategic importance. Expanding domestic wheat output can reduce import requirements while conserving scarce foreign exchange, making agricultural productivity increasingly relevant to the country’s broader economic sovereignty agenda. Livestock exports offer another avenue for value creation. Ethiopia’s 128.3 million USD in livestock export earnings during the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year highlights the potential to expand foreign-exchange earnings through greater processing capacity and higher-value meat and livestock products. However, sustaining these gains will require continued investment in irrigation, rural infrastructure, market access, productivity, food-system resilience and household purchasing power. Digital Transformation Opens a New Economic Frontier Digitalization is rapidly becoming another pillar of Ethiopia’s economic transformation. Ethio Telecom’s 2026/27 business plan targets 295 billion birr in revenue, a 36.7 percent increase from the previous year. It also aims to expand its customer base to 96.2 million and mobile data and internet users to more than 60 million. The ambition goes beyond telecommunications. Under its three-year “Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond” strategy, Ethio Telecom is seeking to expand into digital financial services, cloud computing, enterprise solutions, digital platforms and artificial intelligence. The shift reflects a broader national effort to use digital infrastructure to expand financial inclusion, support entrepreneurship, modernize public services and connect a growing population to the digital economy. Housing Finance Signals Deeper Financial-Sector Reform Another significant development was the agreement between the National Bank of Ethiopia and the International Finance Corporation to establish a dedicated Mortgage Refinance Company. The institution will have 100 billion Birr in capital, with the IFC committing at least 200 million USD. The initiative is intended to ease liquidity constraints in the banking system and expand mortgage financing. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who witnessed the signing of the Framework for Cooperation, said the partnership would support the government’s ambition to provide 1.5 million affordable and dignified homes while increasing private-sector participation. Beyond housing, expanded mortgage finance could stimulate construction, employment, financial intermediation and household asset formation, while contributing to the development of Ethiopia’s financial sector. Strategic Water Resources and Abay/Nile Perhaps the week’s most consequential strategic debate centered on Ethiopia’s water resources and the equitable utilization of the Abay/Nile. Fekahmed Negash, Chairperson of the Advisory Team on Transboundary Water and GERD at the Ministry of Water and Energy, highlighted the substantial evaporation losses experienced by downstream reservoirs. In an interview with ENA, Fekahmed said downstream reservoirs could lose up to 20 billion cubic meters of water annually through evaporation, with the Aswan High Dam alone accounting for an estimated 15–16 billion cubic meters in annual losses. He argued that Ethiopia’s highland geography provides favorable conditions for water storage, particularly in deep and relatively cool gorges where evaporation can be minimized. According to Fekahmed, highland storage can also provide wider benefits, including sediment retention, longer downstream dam lifespans, flood regulation and opportunities for cascade hydropower generation. He called for a unified basin-wide framework through which Nile countries could maximize the river’s shared benefits. The discussion comes as Ethiopia continues to emphasize the principle of equitable and reasonable utilization of transboundary water resources, while presenting water development as essential to agriculture, energy generation and economic growth. Historical Equity Enters Abay Debate The strategic water debate also took on a historical and economic dimension. Former State Minister for Irrigation Development Birhanu Lenjiso argued that Ethiopia has legitimate grounds to seek redress for historical economic losses, foregone development opportunities and longstanding inequities in Abay/Nile utilization. His argument adds a development perspective to Ethiopia’s longstanding position that the Nile should be utilized equitably and in a manner that supports the development aspirations of all basin countries. The debate increasingly extends beyond water itself to questions of energy security, food production, economic development and regional cooperation. Red Sea Access: Economic Imperative Meets Strategic Interest Ethiopia’s pursuit of reliable access to the Red Sea also remained prominent during the week. Education Minister Professor Berhanu Nega described access to the sea as a logical, historical and economic imperative, linking the issue to Ethiopia’s demographic realities, economic interests and national security. For a large landlocked economy, maritime connectivity has direct implications for the cost and competitiveness of imports and exports, foreign-exchange flows, supply-chain resilience and access to international markets. Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions are therefore increasingly intertwined with its broader economic strategy. Water resources, energy, trade corridors and maritime connectivity are emerging as interconnected components of the country’s long-term economic and strategic outlook. Regional Connectivity and Digital Logistics Advance The same emphasis on economic integration was evident in Ethiopia’s engagement with the Horn of Africa Initiative Trade Ministers Meeting, which highlighted the importance of trade corridors, connectivity and trade-facilitating infrastructure. Meanwhile, Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics launched a digital customer self-service platform aimed at modernizing port and cargo operations. The platform provides services including cargo tracking, booking, demurrage management, digital payments and complaints handling, helping reduce reliance on paper-based procedures and streamline import-export operations. The move illustrates how Ethiopia’s economic transformation is increasingly extending beyond production to the digital modernization of trade and logistics. Pagume and the Narrative of National Revival The government’s decision to organize Pagume under the theme “Ethiopia’s Revival” was significant both economically and politically. Rather than treating the final five days of the Ethiopian calendar simply as a period of celebration, the programme served as a national stocktaking exercise and a platform for presenting a forward-looking development narrative. The five days focused respectively on breakthrough, revival, resilience, diversity, and the future and digital transformation. The framework sought to connect individual achievements and projects to a broader national story centered on renewal, resilience and economic self-reliance. Looking Ahead: From Growth to Strategic Autonomy The final week of the 2018 Ethiopian calendar year offered a snapshot of a country seeking to redefine the foundations of its economic future. Agricultural expansion is being linked to food security and industrialization. Domestic manufacturing is being promoted to reduce import dependence. Digitalization is opening new economic frontiers. Housing finance is being connected to financial-sector development. Export expansion is becoming increasingly important for foreign-exchange generation. And water resources and maritime connectivity are being framed as strategic pillars of long-term economic security. The challenge now is implementation. Production gains and ambitious targets will have their greatest impact if they translate into higher household incomes, more jobs, stronger private investment, improved food security and greater international competitiveness. Ethiopia’s economic transformation is consequently becoming broader than a conventional growth agenda. It is increasingly a project to build the productive capacity, infrastructure, technology, financial systems and regional connectivity needed to sustain growth and strengthen strategic autonomy. As Ethiopia enters a new year, the emerging direction is clear: produce more, add more value, export more, digitize faster and deepen regional economic integration. If sustained and effectively implemented, this trajectory could reshape not only Ethiopia’s domestic economy but also its strategic position in the Horn of Africa and its role in the wider African and global economy.

Addis Ababa, September 6, 2026 (ENA)—Ethiopian President Taye Atske-Selassie arrived in Dubai on Sunday at the head of a high-level government delegation to participate in the 15th Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Congress, which opens Monday at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The Ethiopian delegation was welcomed by senior UAE government officials upon arrival, ENA reported from the scene. A three-day AIM Congress, running from September 7 to 9, is being held under the theme “Reshaping Global Prosperity: Unlocking New Investment Pathways Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future.” Established in 2011 by the AIM Global Foundation, the annual forum brings together government leaders, policymakers, investors, business executives, entrepreneurs, and representatives of academic and research institutions to explore investment opportunities and strengthen international economic cooperation.   This year’s gathering is expected to place particular emphasis on the digital economy, sustainable development, innovation, and strategic investment partnerships. The meeting is also anticipated to provide participating countries with a platform to showcase investment opportunities and forge new business connections. For Ethiopia, President Taye’s participation comes as the country accelerates reforms to expand private-sector investment, attract foreign capital, and deepen integration into global markets. The government has been advancing its Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda to create a more competitive investment environment, promote sustainable growth, and deepen economic partnerships with countries and institutions around the world, it was learned.   Against this backdrop, Ethiopia is positioning itself as an increasingly attractive destination for trade and investment in Africa, leveraging its economic reforms, expanding market opportunities, strategic location, and efforts to create a more investor-friendly business environment. The Dubai forum is therefore expected to offer Ethiopia an important platform to present its investment potential, engage global investors, and pursue partnerships that can support the country’s broader economic transformation.

Addis Ababa, September 6, 2026 (ENA)—Ethiopia’s livestock export earnings reached 128.3 million USD in the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year, up from approximately 95 million USD in previous years, marking an increase of more than 35 percent in just one year, according to the Livestock Development Institute. Speaking at a linkage negotiation and contract-signing forum, Livestock Development Institute Director General Asrat Tera highlighted the growth but said the country could raise earnings to at least 1 billion USD. He noted that Ethiopia’s 12 export abattoirs are currently operating at only 10 percent of their combined production capacity of 200,000 metric tons. To capitalize on this potential, the government aims to raise abattoir capacity utilization to 50 percent in the 2019 Ethiopian fiscal year. The target includes exporting about 46,000 metric tons of meat and meat products to generate more than 250 million USD in revenue. Achieving these targets will require overcoming livestock supply constraints, which Asrat identified as the sector’s main bottleneck. He stressed that systematic supply-chain management and reliable partnerships among pastoralists, live-animal traders, and export abattoirs are critical to ensuring a consistent supply and driving value addition.   Livestock Development Institute Deputy Director General Sahilu Mulu added that the government is working to strengthen the broader value chain by expanding processing capacity for both domestic and international markets. Over the past two weeks, three field support teams were deployed to the Somali Region, South Ethiopia Regional State, southern Oromia, and the Afar Region to engage local stakeholders on production, aggregation, and marketing. To put these strategies into practice, Ethiopian Meat Producers and Exporters Association President Kelifa Hussein announced a new pilot arrangement. The initiative will allow livestock suppliers in the Somali Region and Borana to supply animals directly to export facilities. Kelifa noted that bypassing unnecessary intermediaries will significantly reduce transaction costs, boost competitiveness, and deliver direct economic benefits to local traders and pastoralists. The association plans to evaluate the pilot and provide additional support, including logistics and financing, to sustain the direct-supply model.   The forum brought together export abattoir operators and leaders from the Somali Region and Borena Zone Livestock Traders Associations to sign agreements and formalize market ties.

Addis Ababa, September 6, 2026 (ENA)—Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh affirmed that Ethiopia has been registering significant results and steadily moving toward greater prosperity through comprehensive economic transformation, increased productivity and expanded domestic production. He made the remarks as Ethiopia marked the first day of Pagume, the country’s 13th month, as Day of Break Through. The event was attended by senior government officials, representatives of partner organizations and private sector stakeholders. DPM Temesgen said the macroeconomic reforms and financial sector modernization measures undertaken in recent years have strengthened the foundations of the Ethiopian economy and created a more conducive environment for sustainable growth. Ethiopia has also made significant progress toward food sovereignty, particularly through increased agricultural production and the adoption of modern farming practices, he stated.   The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that the use of improved seeds, cluster farming and modern agricultural technologies has increased the production of meat, rice, maize, milk and other agricultural products, strengthening the country’s capacity to meet domestic food needs through local production. “Ethiopia is firmly moving from a dependency on imports toward becoming a producer capable of meeting domestic demand and competing in international markets,” he underscored. The country's economic transformation agenda has increasingly focused on shifting the economy from import dependence toward stronger domestic production, productivity and export competitiveness. The government has been implementing macroeconomic reforms alongside measures aimed at improving agricultural output, expanding manufacturing, modernizing the financial sector and increasing the efficiency of public institutions. The Deputy Prime Minister also mentioned the progress in manufacturing and agro-industry, citing “Made in Ethiopia” (Ethiopia Tamrt) movement and industrial parks as key drivers of substitution of imported goods with locally produced products.   Progress in the mining sector has likewise created new opportunities for economic growth and exports by promoting the processing of natural resources into higher value products, he added. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, efforts to improve transparency and efficiency in revenue collection and customs administration through electronic filing, electronic payment systems and the digitalization of procedures have also contributed to improving tax compliance. Production should be the idea, strategy and goal, he said, stressing that projects and activities that fail to create value or produce tangible results represent a waste of resources. The deputy prime minister further emphasized the importance of digitalizing government services to improve efficiency, enhance service delivery, reduce reliance on manual procedures and curb corruption. “Ethiopia is changing, developing and moving towards greater prosperity,” he added, expressing appreciation to Ethiopians, development partners and other stakeholders for their contributions to the country’s transformation.   DPM Temesgen also called for continued commitment to productivity, domestic production and the efficient utilization of resources to sustain Ethiopia’s development and advance its prosperity journey. Ethiopia has been pursuing a broad economic reform program aimed at addressing structural challenges, improving macroeconomic stability and strengthening the country’s productive capacity. The reform agenda has included measures in the foreign exchange market, monetary and financial sectors, taxation and public finance, with the broader objective of creating a more competitive economy and attracting greater investment. Agriculture remains a major pillar of Ethiopia’s economy and a central component of the country’s efforts to achieve food sovereignty and expand exports.