Addis Ababa, June 26, 2026 (ENA)_The 2026 Hili UAE–Africa Dialogue, which brought together senior government officials, diplomats, policymakers, researchers, business leaders, and strategic partners to explore new pathways for strengthening Africa–UAE cooperation, emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships. The Hili UAE–Africa Dialogue is a strategic geopolitical and economic forum designed to strengthen partnerships between the United Arab Emirates and the African continent. The objective of the Dialogue is to connect policymakers, diplomats, researchers, thought leaders, and business executives to explore shared priorities in sustainable development, trade, technology, and connectivity.   The 2026 forum, which concluded in Addis Ababa today, focused on UAE-Africa trade partnerships, agriculture, renewable energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, and empowering youth, it was learned. Through the discussions on diplomacy, trade, connectivity, disruptive technologies, critical minerals, agriculture, and renewable energy, the participants emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships, innovation, and practical cooperation in advancing shared prosperity and sustainable development. Recall that the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the sidelines of the Hili UAE–Africa Dialogue. Speaking at the 2026 Hili UAE–Africa Dialogue forum that opened yesterday, Institute of Foreign Affairs Executive Director Jafar Bedru said that “to treat the Memorandum of Understanding as a formality would be a mistake. It is the beginning of a partnership”.   The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in research, policy dialogue, capacity building, publications, and the exchange of experts and researchers, reinforcing the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing knowledge and strengthening Ethiopia–UAE cooperation. The Executive Director highlighted the importance of building enduring institutional partnerships, emphasizing that sustained dialogue, joint research, and knowledge exchange are essential to advancing long-term Africa–UAE cooperation. On his part, Chargé d’Affaires of the UAE Embassy in Ethiopia, Rashed Abdulla Al Shehhi said the “objective is not only to support growth, but to build opportunity.”   Al Shehhi highlighted the evolving UAE–Ethiopia partnership, emphasizing cooperation across trade, agriculture, infrastructure, logistics, renewable energy, and digital transformation. He noted the importance of translating shared opportunities into tangible outcomes through innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development.

Addis Ababa, June 26, 2026 (ENA)__ For decades, Ethiopia's economy has been defined as much by its immense potential as by the structural constraints that limited its realization. Rapid population growth, recurrent external shocks, inflationary pressures, infrastructure bottlenecks, and foreign exchange shortages repeatedly tested the country's economic resilience. Today, Ethiopia is pursuing a fundamentally different path. It is being built on comprehensive structural reform, institutional modernization, productive investment, and sustainable economic transformation. The recently concluded "Ethiopia Delivers" National Summit, held under the theme "From Reform to Lasting Change," offered perhaps the clearest picture yet of how the government's Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda is evolving from policy design into measurable economic outcomes. Rather than presenting isolated achievements, the summit demonstrated how reforms across finance, agriculture, mining, infrastructure, digital technology, and urban development are increasingly functioning as interconnected pillars of a long-term national transformation. Opening the summit, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed delivered a definitive address framing Ethiopia's comprehensive overhaul not as a series of short-term adjustments, but as a profound, continuous effort toward cross-generational nation-building. Linking current structural transitions to the nation's historical resilience, the Prime Minister introduced the core philosophy of Medemer, illustrating how economic reform, digital transformation, and social protection reinforce one another rather than competing. He highlighted monumental economic milestones, noting that inflation has been successfully curbed from over 30 percent down to single digits, while the economy projects a commanding 10.2 percent growth rate this fiscal year—positioning Ethiopia as the fastest-growing economy on the continent. Grounding these macroeconomic achievements in human-centered development, he pointed to the national digital ID system, FAYDA, as a tool expanding financial inclusion and building trust for grassroots entrepreneurs. He urged all citizens to internalize a deep sense of collective responsibility to safeguard this progress, calling upon the current generation to fortify the nation's foundations and actualize Ethiopia's mansarat—the country's definitive leap into the future. Detailing the sweeping monetary and fiscal transformations that anchor this growth, National Bank of Ethiopia Governor Eyob Tekalign outlined the milestones that have successfully restored national macroeconomic stability. He detailed Ethiopia's economic reform journey over the last eight years, focusing on the foundational Homegrown Economic Reform agenda designed to restore macroeconomic stability and fuel structural transformation. A pivotal element of this overhaul is the decisive shift from quantity controls to price anchors, prioritizing long-term price stability as a core central bank mission. To enforce strict fiscal discipline, the government has entirely avoided external commercial loans for nearly a decade, successfully reversed the downward trend in the tax-to-GDP ratio, and drastically minimized the primary budget deficit. This fiscal restraint is coupled with historic monetary reforms, including the termination of direct central bank financing of the state budget and the successful transition toward a market-based exchange rate framework. Parallel to macroeconomic stabilization, the modernization of the financial ecosystem stands out as a major milestone of the reform era. The central bank has been structurally re-engineered to operate with heightened independence and transparency, while a major institutional void was filled with the historic establishment of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange. This revitalization has catalyzed the broader banking sector, which has registered significant growth and a strategic pivot toward robust private sector lending. This financial modernization has directly accelerated the digital economy, evidenced by an unprecedented surge in mobile money and digital transactions, which recorded an astounding 24.2 trillion ETB in the first nine months of the current fiscal year alone. These systemic interventions have successfully triggered a profound sectoral transformation across the real economy. In agriculture, a deliberate shift from subsistence farming to large-scale commercialization has yielded record production volumes and a subsequent decline in relief dependency. Remarkably, for the first time in the nation's history, the industrial sector's contribution to the gross domestic product has surpassed both agriculture and services, signaling a structural rebalancing of the economic base. Ultimately, Eyob emphasized that these achievements represent a purposeful, interconnected overhaul that has instilled deep resilience within the Ethiopian economy, setting the nation on an irreversible trajectory toward a highly diversified, sustainable, and prosperous future. In the sovereign investment sphere, Brook Taye, the Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Investment Holdings, outlined a fundamental shift in the nation's approach to infrastructure development. Moving away from past models that suffered from poor sequencing, unsustainable debt, and a lack of commercial logic, the current reform government is implementing a disciplined framework focused on productivity and institutional integrity. This new direction is deeply informed by historical lessons, stretching from the narrow inclusion of the imperial era to the unincentivized, conflict-disrupted expansions of the Derg regime. It specifically addresses the challenges of the EPRDF administration, where rapid, state-led expansion created a high-risk debt burden and jobless growth, leaving massive sugar factories and rail initiatives incomplete or underutilized. To rectify these historical imbalances, Brook identified eight governing principles that now strictly guide infrastructure delivery in Ethiopia. The framework prioritizes continuity by protecting and scaling proven successes like Ethiopian Airlines based on evidence rather than ideology, while emphasizing multi-sector architecture and strict design discipline to define project goals before construction begins. Delivery is further enhanced through innovative Public-People Partnerships—as demonstrated by the sweeping campaign to plant 48 billion seedlings—while strategic sequencing ensures revenue-generating projects are prioritized first to minimize debt. Furthermore, the strategy mandates financing discipline by matching budgetary or commercial capital to the specific nature of each asset, utilizes strategic anchor investments to achieve a multiplier effect, and positions Ethiopian Investment Holdings as the ultimate institutional vehicle to build generational wealth. Looking ahead, the presentation underscored Ethiopia's ambition to reach economic escape velocity through five strategic pillars: clean energy, construction, digital expansion, regional connectivity across air, rail, and sea, and green technology. By transitioning to this highly disciplined matrix of institutional integrity and precise asset management, the country aims to transform its infrastructure into a genuine catalyst that will propel the nation into a significantly higher threshold of economic growth and long-term productivity. Representing the extractives sector, in a comprehensive historical review and future outlook, Hanna Berhanu, State Minister at the Ministry of Mines, outlined a profound structural evolution within Ethiopia’s mining and petroleum sector. Tracing the industry's trajectory, the presentation contrasted the pre-1974 era of narrow foreign concessions and the Derg's centralized, conflict-hindered state ownership with the subsequent EPRDF administration, which liberalized the sector to attract international capital but left lingering challenges of informality. Under the current reform era, the government has enacted a deliberate paradigm shift to transform geological potential into tangible economic results, elevating the mining sector into a strategic cornerstone of the national economy focused on formalized markets, import substitution, and high-value industrial processing. This strategic redirection has already yielded monumental advancements, most notably in import substitution and artisanal sector formalization. The nation has successfully transitioned to domestic production for coal and cement inputs, while aggressively scaling up the local manufacturing of critical construction materials such as ceramics and glass. Furthermore, a comprehensive formalization and support framework for artisanal miners has triggered a spectacular transformation in gold exports, which surged from their modest 2018 baselines to a commanding value of over 5.5 billion USD recently. Looking to the future, the ministry is rapidly steering the energy sector from mere exploration to large-scale commercialization. Key milestones include the inauguration of a liquefied natural gas plant and advanced planning for a domestic oil refinery to systematically slash the nation's heavy reliance on fuel imports. Concurrently, the sector is being integrated into the broader economy through an upcoming agreement for a natural gas-based fertilizer plant designed to anchor the agricultural sector and replace expensive imports. Driven by these responsible, transparent, and value-added industrial practices, Ethiopia is firmly on track to establish itself as a regional economic powerhouse, targeting a historic 10 billion USD in mining exports by 2030. The structural transition of the agricultural sector was detailed by Mandefro Nigussie, Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural Transformation Institute. In an insightful presentation at the Ethiopia Delivers Summit, Mandefro Nigussie, Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural Transformation Institute, detailed a sweeping structural overhaul aimed at transitioning Ethiopia’s agricultural sector from subsistence farming to a highly commercialized, business-oriented enterprise. Given that agriculture anchors one-third of the nation's gross domestic product and employs two-thirds of the population, the presentation underscored the critical need to tap into the country's vast agro-ecological diversity, 38.5 million hectares of arable land, and extensive water resources. Addressing historical policy gaps across previous administrations, the current reform framework introduces a dynamic "three-actor" model that unites the public, private, and people sectors to aggressively prioritize absolute food sovereignty over mere food security. A definitive cornerstone of this transformation is the highly successful cluster farming approach, which effectively counters the challenge of land fragmentation by organizing smallholder farmers to consolidate their land and adopt comprehensive technology packages. This strategic coordination has significantly amplified the bargaining power of smallholders, yielding a spectacular 29 percent increase in productivity for participating farmers. This structural agility is further mirrored by landmark achievements in import substitution, where Ethiopia has successfully forged self-sufficiency in wheat, malt barley, and rice, while scaling up commercial soya production. Parallel to crop success, the sector has been re-energized by the ambitious livestock initiative, Ye Lemat Trufat, which has driven robust production gains in red meat, milk, poultry, and aquaculture, highlighted by the historic establishment of a rare poultry grandparent stock, and reinforced by a nationwide afforestation campaign for environmental sustainability. To ensure long-term resilience, this modernization is heavily underpinned by a robust digital transformation strategy that delivers high-impact extension services directly to the fields. The integration of cutting-edge digital tools, most notably the 8028 voice-based AI advisory platform alongside a network of rural digital kiosks, has democratized critical agronomic advice, market data, and tailored training for rural communities. Looking to the future, the strategy is firmly focused on the professionalization of smallholder farmers into sophisticated agribusiness entities. By seamlessly strengthening the interface between technological agricultural transformation and holistic rural development, Ethiopia is paving a definitive path toward sustainable economic prosperity and food sovereignty. Addressing the technical rails of this modernization, Myriam Said, Digital Advisor at the Office of the Prime Minister, In an impactful presentation at the Ethiopia Delivers Summit, Myriam Said, Digital Advisor at the Office of the Prime Minister, outlined the nation’s comprehensive strategy for building an AI-ready economy. She emphasized that digital systems must not be viewed as an isolated sector, but rather as the foundational architecture required to drive a profound macroeconomic transformation. This structural shift is anchored on an investment-led, market-oriented approach, most notably demonstrated by the strategic liberalization of the telecommunications sector. This milestone policy spurred robust competition, expanded the country's broadband user base to over 61 million, and successfully unlocked significant inflows of private investment. Central to this technological blueprint is the development of a sophisticated Digital Public Infrastructure, which rests upon three critical layers: the FAYDA digital identity system, which has already enrolled over 45 million citizens; an expansive digital payments ecosystem boasting more than 257 million accounts; and a seamless Data Exchange Layer designed to elevate government service delivery and institutional interoperability. Recognizing that a digital economy cannot function without power, the strategy treats energy as an absolute bedrock. Ethiopia has remarkably achieved a grid powered by 98 percent renewable electricity, strategically leveraging monumental infrastructure projects like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam to sustainably power data centers and emerging industrial ecosystems. Crucially, the address highlighted that technological access must be paired with human capability to achieve true economic resilience. To cultivate the necessary talent, the government is prioritizing heavy investments in human capital through aggressive foundational education expansion, the ambitious 5 Million Coders initiative, and the historic establishment of the Madame University of Artificial Intelligence. Ultimately, Myriam underscored that future global competitiveness belongs to nations that purposefully integrate technology into their developmental fabric rather than merely adopting external tools. By masterfully sequencing architecture, Ethiopia is ensuring that its economic reforms, physical infrastructure, public institutions, and digital capabilities develop in perfect harmony to secure long-term prosperity. In her presentation at the summit, Senior Advisor Tiguist Fisseha from the Ministry of Finance outlined a profound paradigm shift in Ethiopia's urban development strategy. The core objective of this new approach is to transition from merely managing physical urban expansion to fostering highly productive cities that serve as dynamic engines of economic growth, job creation, and investment. Reflecting a new urban era, the strategy embraces a market-oriented economy with a multi-city growth agenda, deliberately moving away from single-city dominance. This forward-looking framework directly addresses historical shortcomings, noting that while the Derg era suppressed urban growth, the subsequent EPRDF administration expanded cities physically but often lagged in cultivating sustainable economic ecosystems. To realize this vision, the strategy anchors itself on four mutually reinforcing pillars designed to redefine the urban landscape: livability, competitiveness, inclusion, and smart cities. Livability focuses on transforming urban aesthetics and functionality through high-impact initiatives such as the rehabilitation of river corridors and enhanced mobility, while competitiveness aims to foster private sector growth by reorienting the financial system and developing Special Economic Zones. Concurrently, the inclusion pillar prioritizes massive investments in human capital via comprehensive skills training and critical social safety nets like subsidized housing and school meal programs. Efficiency across these sectors is further accelerated by the smart cities pillar, which leverages robust digitalization to slash transaction costs and modernize municipal governance. Looking ahead, Tiguist highlighted visionary prototypes like Chaka City and Gelan Gura City as blueprints for integrated, future-oriented planning. The next phase of this comprehensive urban evolution will prioritize the structural strengthening of secondary cities and the establishment of sophisticated metropolitan governance frameworks. By scaling human capital development, aggressively expanding the housing supply with a target of 1.5 million units, and building financially self-reliant municipalities, Ethiopia is positioning its urban centers to become resilient, highly competitive, and inclusive hubs capable of sustaining the nation’s long-term economic trajectory.

Addis Ababa, June 26, 2026 (ENA)__ Ethiopia has highlighted its renewable energy achievements and future energy ambitions during the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting held in India. During the occasion, the country reaffirmed its commitment to achieving universal electricity access by 2030, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ethiopia also emphasized ongoing investments in grid modernization, energy storage, transmission infrastructure, and off-grid electrification. Accordingly, the country also announced efforts to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and harness green hydrogen for fertilizer production, e-mobility, and exports. Ethiopia further welcomed India's proposal to establish a BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for Smart Grids and Energy Storage, describing it as an important platform for technology cooperation and knowledge sharing. During the summit, the East African nation reiterated its commitment to attracting private investment, strengthening regional energy connectivity, and advancing the BRICS vision of “Energy for All.” Ethiopia is successfully transforming into a renewable energy powerhouse, generating more than 96 percent of its current energy consumption from renewable sources, positioning the country among global leaders in green energy development. India is hosting the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting on June 25–26, 2026, with the target to deliberate on key global energy challenges and opportunities and to advance practical cooperation across the energy sector. The meeting brought together Energy Ministers, Vice Ministers, and senior officials from BRICS member countries, it was learned.

Addis Ababa, June 26, 2026 (ENA)__A cyber drill, which has brought together representatives of cybersecurity institutions, law enforcement agencies, and operators of critical infrastructure from East African countries, is underway at the headquarters of the Information Network Security Administration (INSA) in Addis Ababa. The IGAD Regional Cyber Drill 2026 aims to enhance cybersecurity capacity across East Africa and strengthen collective defenses against cross-border cyber threats. Opening the cyber drill that began today, IGAD Head of Mission to Ethiopia, Abebaw Belachew, said cyber threats transcend national borders and pose a shared challenge to all countries, regardless of their level of development.   “Cyber threats do not recognize international borders, nor do they differentiate between the developed and the developing. Therefore, it is a common global threat,” he said. The Head noted that cyber incidents in one country can have immediate ripple effects across the region, making collective preparedness essential. “Our digital security is only as strong and as secure as our collective resolve," Abebaw said, adding that the regional cyber drill is designed not only to test participants' technical capabilities but also to strengthen coordination, rapid decision-making, and response through live cyber-attack simulation exercises. He emphasized that building trust and professional networks among member states is just as important as strengthening technical expertise. "The networks and professional relationships you forge over the coming days will be just as critical to our regional collective defense as the technical capabilities you're building," the Head stated. Information Network Security Administration Director-General Tigist Hamid said cybersecurity has become a strategic imperative for national security, economic development, and regional stability as countries accelerate their digital transformation. She emphasized that regional cooperation remains a central principle of Ethiopia's foreign policy and its approach to cybersecurity.     The Director-General warned that increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks targeting governments, businesses, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure require continuous vigilance, information sharing, and coordinated regional action. “We firmly believe that no country can effectively address cyber threats exclusively,” she said, reaffirming Information Network Security Administration’s commitment to working closely with governments, regional organizations, academia, the private sector, and development partners in areas, including cyber security governance, innovation, capacity building, information sharing, and joint cyber exercises. She expressed confidence that the regional cyber drill would serve as an important platform to strengthen cooperation and improve the region's ability to address existing and emerging cyber threats.   The five-day drill is expected to enhance regional coordination, strengthen institutional capacity, and reinforce cooperation among IGAD member states in responding to evolving cybersecurity challenges. The drill primarily focuses on building a common understanding of cybersecurity policies and strategic issues, strengthening technical capacity to identify threats, and enhancing rapid incident response capabilities. Representatives from Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Djibouti are attending the drill. The exercise also includes regional simulations aimed at improving preparedness against cyber-attacks targeting telecommunications, financial institutions, and other critical infrastructure, as well as joint responses to ransomware attacks and disinformation campaigns.

By Yordanos D. June 26, 2026 (ENA) Few nations have embarked on a national conversation as consequential as the one now taking shape in Ethiopia. At a time when many societies are grappling with political polarization, identity disputes, and declining public trust, national dialogue has emerged as an important mechanism for addressing deep-rooted differences through peaceful engagement rather than confrontation. Experiences from countries such as South Africa, Tunisia, Kenya, and Colombia demonstrate how inclusive dialogue can help societies navigate complex transitions, build consensus, and promote lasting peace. Ethiopia's decision to undertake such a process reflects both the opportunities and challenges inherent in one of Africa's oldest and most diverse nations. Home to a rich mosaic of cultures, languages, religions, and historical experiences, the country has long debated issues related to governance, constitutional arrangements, national identity, political representation, and resource sharing. Recognizing that these questions require inclusive and peaceful deliberation, Ethiopia established the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) as an independent platform through which citizens can discuss matters of national importance and seek common ground. Following extensive consultations conducted across the country and Ethiopian diaspora in various countries, the Commission has identified eight major thematic agenda pillars that reflect the priorities and concerns raised by citizens. As the process moves from consultation to substantive deliberation, Ethiopia's National Dialogue enters a critical phase that could help shape the country's political future and strengthen the foundations for peace, consensus, and democratic transformation. Independence and Credibility The credibility of this process will depend not only on the issues under discussion but also on the independence of the institution facilitating it, the inclusiveness of participation, and the ability of the media to inform, engage, and connect citizens throughout the country. Examining these elements provides important insight into the significance of the dialogue and its potential contribution to Ethiopia's future. The debate on its independence itself reflects the significance of the process for independence remains the most valuable asset of any national dialogue institution. It is vivid that without public confidence in its neutrality, dialogue risks losing legitimacy before meaningful discussions begin. Conversely, when citizens trust the impartiality of the institution facilitating dialogue, they are more likely to participate constructively and accept its outcomes. In connection to this a careful assessment of the ENDC reveals substantial legal, institutional, and operational safeguards that support its independence. Its legal mandate, diverse leadership, nationwide consultations, bottom up agenda setting process, transparency, and commitment to inclusiveness collectively demonstrate the autonomy necessary for a credible national dialogue. The independence of the Commission has already been rooted in law. Understanding its independence begins with its legal foundation. The ENDC, therefore, was established as an autonomous institution through legislation enacted by Ethiopia's House of Peoples' Representatives (HPR). The proclamation explicitly recognizes the existence of differing views among political leaders, opinion makers, and various segments of society and underscores the need to address those differences through inclusive national dialogue. The law grants the Commission authority to conduct consultations, identify agenda items, engage stakeholders, and facilitate dialogue without interference from any political actor or institution. Recently, Commissioner Ambassador Mahmud Dirir explained the Commission's legal autonomy during a consultation forum with media representatives held in Bishoftu. "The independence of the Commission emanates from its establishing proclamation," Ambassador Mahmud stated. "The Articles in the proclamation clearly stipulates that the Commission is free from any influence and is required to work solely in accordance with the objectives for which it was established." The ambassador further stressed that the dialogue process belongs to all Ethiopians rather than any government, political party, or interest group. He emphasized that unless all Ethiopians handle this consultation responsibly, it could end in severe consequences. This issue is not about one government or one political party. It is about Ethiopia and the future of all Ethiopians. Historic Opportunity The Commission's mandate arises from Ethiopia's unique historical circumstances. Throughout its long history, Ethiopia has achieved remarkable milestones in statehood, diplomacy, culture, and civilization. Yet the country has also experienced periods of political conflict, social tensions, and competing interpretations of history. Questions concerning federalism, governance, constitutional arrangements, political representation, resource sharing, identity, and national unity have generated intense debate for decades. While many of these discussions have taken place through democratic processes, some have also contributed to instability and conflict. Now the National Dialogue seeks to provide a peaceful alternative by replacing confrontation with conversation. Chief Commissioner Mesfin Araya has repeatedly emphasized that the process represents a national opportunity to address longstanding issues through dialogue rather than division. "The National Dialogue is not designed to determine winners and losers," he stated in several public forums. "It is a platform through which Ethiopians can listen to one another, identify areas of disagreement, and build consensus on issues of national importance." He has further stressed that the success of the process ultimately depends on citizens themselves. "No institution can build consensus alone. Sustainable peace requires the participation, ownership, and commitment of all Ethiopians." Commissioners' Credibility The Commission's leadership is another important factor supporting its independence. Its commissioners come from diverse professional backgrounds, including diplomacy, academia, law, civic engagement, and public service. Their credibility was established long before their appointment to the Commission. Rather than advocating political positions, the commissioners have consistently presented themselves as facilitators whose role is to create opportunities for Ethiopians to engage constructively and seek solutions collectively. This diversity of expertise and experience has strengthened public confidence and contributed significantly to the institution's credibility. Bottom Up Agenda Setting Perhaps the clearest demonstration of the Commission's independence has been its extensive nationwide consultation process. Over the past several years, the Commission has conducted consultations across regional states, zones, districts, and communities. It has engaged elders, religious leaders, women, youth, civic organizations, professionals, traditional institutions, political actors, and representatives of marginalized communities. Rather than imposing agendas from above, the Commission invited citizens themselves to identify the issues they believe should be discussed during the national dialogue. This bottom-up approach strengthens legitimacy by ensuring that agenda items reflect the concerns and aspirations of ordinary Ethiopians rather than the preferences of political elites. It also demonstrates operational autonomy. Institutions operating under strict political direction rarely allow citizens such significant influence over agenda formation. According to Commissioner Ambassador Mahmud Dirir, the Commission has now completed the consultation phase and is preparing for the next critical stage. "Now the process is at its last and critical phase," he said. In fac, the Commission has already announced the agendas for the national dialogue. He also disclosed that consultations among selected representatives are expected to commence in July 2026. National Responsibility As Ethiopia prepares to enter the next phase of its National Dialogue, the responsibilities of citizens, institutions, and media organizations become even more significant. The Commission's independence, grounded in law and demonstrated through practice, provides a foundation for public trust. Its nationwide consultations, inclusive outreach, and bottom-up agenda setting process have created an opportunity for Ethiopians to engage with difficult issues through peaceful discussion rather than confrontation. Ultimately, the success of National Dialogue will not be determined solely by institutions or commissioners. It will depend on the willingness of Ethiopians to participate, listen, and seek common ground. As Chief Commissioner Mesfin Araya has repeatedly emphasized, the dialogue is a national project whose success belongs to all Ethiopians. If conducted with integrity, inclusiveness, and broad public participation, the process offers an opportunity to transform longstanding disagreements into constructive dialogue, strengthen national cohesion, and lay a foundation for lasting peace, democratic consolidation, and shared prosperity. In that endeavor, an independent Commission and a responsible media sector stand as two indispensable pillars supporting Ethiopia's pursuit of consensus, reconciliation, and a more united future. National Agenda Setting The extensive consultations conducted across Ethiopia have now culminated in one of the most significant milestones of the National Dialogue process: the identification of major thematic agenda areas that reflect the concerns, aspirations, and priorities raised by citizens throughout the country. Drawing on contributions from communities, elders, religious leaders, women, youth, political actors, civic organizations, professionals, and representatives of marginalized groups, the ENDC has consolidated thousands of public inputs into eight major thematic pillars that will guide the upcoming national deliberations. These agenda areas encompass many of the issues that have shaped Ethiopia's political, social, and economic discourse for decades. The first pillar, State Building, focuses on questions related to national identity, historical narratives, social cohesion, and the future direction of the Ethiopian state. Closely linked to this is the pillar on Structure and Form of Government, which addresses debates surrounding federalism, constitutional governance, power sharing arrangements, and institutional frameworks. The agenda also includes deliberations on the Status of Federal Cities, particularly the governance, administration, and national role of Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa, issues that have long generated public discussion and differing perspectives. Recognizing the important role of faith communities in Ethiopian society, the Commission has identified Religious Affairs as a separate thematic pillar. Discussions under this agenda are expected to focus on strengthening interfaith harmony, promoting equality among religious communities, and fostering constructive relations between the state and religious institutions. Another major pillar centers on Institutional Building, Rule of Law, and Human Rights. This thematic area addresses concerns regarding institutional effectiveness, constitutionalism, judicial independence, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. Economic and social issues raised during consultations have also received significant attention. The pillar on Socio Economic Affairs, Including the Concerns of Farmers and Pastoralists, seeks to address questions of economic development, equitable growth, social welfare, livelihoods, and the challenges facing agricultural and pastoral communities that form the backbone of the country's economy. Public concerns regarding governance have been incorporated under the thematic agenda of Anti-Corruption and Good Governance, which will explore measures aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, institutional integrity, and public trust. Finally, the pillar on Peace Building reflects the widespread desire expressed by citizens for reconciliation, conflict resolution, healing, and sustainable mechanisms capable of ensuring long term national stability and peaceful coexistence. Together, these eight thematic pillars provide a comprehensive framework for addressing Ethiopia's most consequential national questions. They demonstrate the breadth of the consultation process and reflect the Commission's commitment to ensuring that the dialogue agenda emerges from citizens themselves rather than being prescribed by political elites. Chief Commissioner Mesfin Araya has repeatedly emphasized that the purpose of the dialogue is not to impose predetermined solutions but to create a platform where Ethiopians can collectively deliberate on issues that affect their shared future. "The National Dialogue is not designed to determine winners and losers," Mesfin has stated. "It is a platform through which Ethiopians can listen to one another, identify areas of disagreement, and build consensus on issues of national importance." The identification of these thematic pillars therefore marks not the conclusion of the process, but the beginning of a new and more substantive phase in which representatives from across the country will engage in structured discussions aimed at building consensus on matters that have shaped Ethiopia's political and social landscape for generations. With the consultation phase completed and deliberations scheduled to commence in July 2026, the National Dialogue is entering a historic stage that many view as an opportunity to transform longstanding disagreements into constructive engagement, strengthen national cohesion, and lay the foundation for a more peaceful and democratic future. In conclusion the National Dialogue represents more than a political exercise. It is an attempt to create a peaceful national framework through which Ethiopians can address longstanding disagreements, strengthen mutual understanding, and build consensus on issues that have shaped the country's trajectory for generations. The completion of nationwide consultations and the emergence of eight major thematic agenda pillars demonstrate that the process has been driven by the voices and concerns of citizens from across the country rather than by predetermined political prescriptions. The independence of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission remains central to the credibility and legitimacy of this historic undertaking. Its legal foundation, diverse leadership, extensive consultations, transparent procedures, and commitment to citizen-led agenda setting provide important safeguards that can help foster public trust. Equally important is the role of the media, whose responsibility extends beyond reporting events to facilitating informed public discourse, promoting transparency, amplifying diverse perspectives, and countering misinformation. As representatives prepare to begin deliberations on issues ranging from state building and governance to peace building, socio-economic development, human rights, and good governance, Ethiopia stands at an important national crossroads. The dialogue process will not eliminate differences, nor is it intended to do so. Rather, its success will be measured by its ability to transform disagreement into constructive engagement and competition into cooperation. History shows that nations achieve lasting stability not by avoiding difficult conversations but by confronting them openly, inclusively, and peacefully. Ethiopia's National Dialogue offers such an opportunity. If approached with sincerity, patience, and a shared commitment to the national interest, it can help lay the foundation for stronger institutions, greater social cohesion, democratic consolidation, and enduring peace. The outcome will ultimately depend on the willingness of Ethiopians from all walks of life to participate in good faith and to embrace dialogue as a pathway toward a more stable, united, and prosperous future.