Addis Ababa, July 22, 2026 (ENA) —Africa must unlock its vast and largely untapped livestock potential to strengthen food and nutrition security and accelerate inclusive economic growth, experts told ENA. For millions of Africans, livestock is more than a source of food or income. It is the foundation of livelihoods, particularly for pastoral communities. Yet experts say the sector remains far below its potential and could become a powerful engine of economic transformation if supported by stronger investment, market access, infrastructure, and policy coordination. With large areas of the continent unsuitable for crop production but highly conducive to livestock rearing, expanding the sector could help Africa strengthen its food systems while creating new opportunities for trade and economic development. Andrew Edewa, TradeMark Africa Director of Standards, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and Food Systems, said livestock already sustains millions of pastoral communities and could be transformed from a traditional livelihood activity into a major driver of economic development. “As livelihoods of many pastoral communities depend on livestock, we can turn this from a livelihood activity into an engine of economic development through stronger market linkages. That creates jobs and income for different actors across the economy,” he said. Edewa said expanding livestock trade within Africa and with international markets could increase export earnings, generate new income, and stimulate broader economic growth across the continent. “Africa has the opportunity to increase the volume of livestock trade. This growth in trade can generate additional income for countries and contribute to the overall growth of the economy. This is where the future of Africa should be,” he said. For him, the sector’s importance extends beyond economic growth. Livestock also plays a critical role in addressing Africa’s nutrition challenges, particularly among children and other vulnerable groups. Milk, meat, and other animal-source foods provide affordable, high-quality protein and essential nutrients needed for healthy growth and development. “It is not only about food security, but also about nutrition. Livestock products provide affordable sources of protein that are essential for healthy growth and development,” Edewa said. Despite its enormous potential, many observers said Africa’s livestock sector continues to face structural challenges, including fragmented production systems, weak coordination among stakeholders, inadequate market connectivity, and limited investment in infrastructure and quality systems. Edewa said TradeMark Africa is working with stakeholders to connect livestock producers with domestic, regional, and international markets while strengthening policy frameworks and quality standards. “We work with all stakeholders to increase investment in the livestock sector, improve market systems, and strengthen government policies that ensure the safety and quality of livestock products,” he said. He added that investment in quality infrastructure and market-oriented value-chain development is essential to making African livestock products more competitive. “We would like to invest heavily in quality infrastructure that boosts the quality of livestock products entering the market. We are also focusing on value-chain development with a market orientation so producers can access both domestic and international markets,” Edewa said. Commenting on Ethiopia’s Bounty of the Basket (Ye Lemat Tirufat) initiative, Edewa commended the program for promoting value-chain development across the livestock sector. The initiative, he said, is creating opportunities across a broad range of activities, including live-animal trade, dairy production, meat processing, animal-feed manufacturing, and other livestock-based industries. Senbeto Funte, Regional Livestock Program Deputy Director at Mercy Corps for Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, also emphasized the sector’s central role in addressing Africa’s food and nutrition challenges. He stressed the need to ensure that nutritious livestock products are accessible, available, and affordable to consumers. “Livestock provides nutrient-dense food. We need to ensure these products are accessible, available, and affordable for consumers,” Senbeto said. Improving production efficiency, he added, would increase supply, reduce prices, and allow more children and mothers to access nutritious foods. “If Africa makes its livestock production systems more efficient, production will increase and products will become more affordable. That will help address both nutritional challenges and broader food security concerns,” he said. Senbeto noted that livestock already makes a significant contribution to agricultural GDP in many African countries and that improving the sector’s efficiency could further enhance its contribution to economic development. “Livestock is already a major contributor to agricultural GDP. If we improve the sector’s efficiency, it can play an even greater role in ensuring both food security and nutrition security,” he said. Unlocking this potential, however, will require stronger government support, increased private-sector participation, and improved access to finance, Senbeto said.   Investment is needed across the entire livestock value chain, from production and animal health to processing, cold-chain facilities, aggregation centers, and transport infrastructure. “Creating livestock-tailored financing to support production, processing, and cold-chain development is critically important. We also need intentional investment in livestock-focused infrastructure, including animal-health systems, aggregation facilities, and transport networks,” he said. According to Senbeto, coordinated government policies, targeted incentives, and increased private investment are essential for Africa to fully harness its livestock wealth. He cited Ethiopia’s Bounty of the Basket (Ye Lemat Tirufat) initiative as an example of targeted government intervention. The national program aims to increase the production of dairy, poultry, eggs, honey, fish, and meat while improving food and nutrition security. The experts said Africa must move beyond viewing livestock solely as a traditional livelihood activity and instead recognize it as a strategic economic sector capable of driving food security, better nutrition, trade, employment, and inclusive economic growth. With the right investments, policies, and market systems, Africa’s livestock wealth could become one of the continent’s most important untapped engines of economic transformation, the hoped.

Addis Ababa, July 22, 2026 (ENA) — Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) affirmed it has been committed in expanding cold chain infrastructure and promoting hybrid sorghum production as part of a broader effort to reduce post-harvest losses, improve productivity and increase farmers' income. Speaking to ENA, Chief Executive Officer Mandefro Nigussie said ATI is pursuing a two-pronged strategy that focuses on minimizing losses along the agricultural value chain while increasing the production of strategic crops. "The losses are significant when you take fruits and vegetables. Grains are better, but still you have post-harvest losses," he said. To address the challenge, ATI has begun introducing refrigerated transport and storage facilities in major fruit and vegetable producing areas. "We are establishing cold chains in areas where it is produced. So, in areas where we produce vegetables and fruits, we introduced cold chains. It has a cooling system and zero damage in terms of destruction," Mandefro said. He explained that conventional trucks used to transport grain are unsuitable for perishable products, making specialized refrigerated vehicles essential. "For fruits and vegetables, you need special trucks that have controlled temperature and built in cooling systems so that they preserve the fruit or the vegetable without damaging it," he said. According to the CEO, pilot cold chain interventions launched in Ethiopia's Rift Valley have produced encouraging results and will be expanded to other major production corridors across the country. Alongside improving post-harvest handling, ATI is also implementing a comprehensive roadmap to transform Ethiopia's sorghum sector by tackling challenges across the entire value chain. "The first thing done in the country is the roadmap development, the flagship program document development," Mandefro said. He noted that the roadmap identifies key bottlenecks while clearly assigning responsibilities to institutions involved in seed multiplication, production, processing, marketing and domestic and international trade. The coordinated approach is expected to improve productivity, strengthen food security and enhance farmers' earnings. Mandefro also highlighted the success of ATI's cluster farming model for sorghum, which demonstrated higher productivity and increased overall production during the previous farming season. "Last year, we were able to demonstrate that cluster farming using sorghum is highly productive, can give better productivity and total production. We proved that," he said, adding that ATI plans to expand both the cultivated area and the number of participating farmers this season. A key component of the expansion is the introduction of hybrid sorghum seed, which ATI believes can transform the crop in the same way hybrid maize revolutionized maize production in Ethiopia. "The hybrid sorghum is like hybrid maize. The hybrid maize is what revolutionized maize productivity and maize production. So, we are going to repeat the same model of change like maize in sorghum," Mandefro said. The ATI chief emphasized that the combined interventions, reducing post-harvest losses through cold chain systems and increasing yields through hybrid sorghum technology, are expected to strengthen national food security, raise farmers' incomes and expand opportunities for both domestic and export markets for Ethiopian agricultural products.

By Jibril Lammo For generations, Egypt’s political establishment operated on a dangerous and increasingly obsolete assumption: that downstream water security could be preserved only by keeping upstream nations weak, poor, and underdeveloped. That colonial-era logic is now collapsing. Yet as Ethiopia advances toward greater economic self-reliance, energy sovereignty, democratic consolidation, and regional connectivity, sections of Egypt’s state-backed media and official communication apparatus continue to recycle the same familiar playbook—fear, disinformation, diplomatic pressure, and political interference. The targets are clear. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is portrayed as an existential threat. Ethiopia’s National Dialogue is dismissed or delegitimized. The country’s legitimate quest for regional connectivity and secure access to the Red Sea is framed as a destabilizing ambition. At the same time, Cairo continues to mobilize diplomatic and media networks to constrain Ethiopia’s strategic options. The message behind these campaigns is increasingly transparent: Ethiopia’s rise must be contained. But Ethiopia is no longer the country that external powers could isolate, intimidate, or define on its behalf. The relentless focus on Ethiopia’s internal affairs increasingly appears less like a genuine concern for regional stability and more like a calculated effort to divert attention from Egypt’s own deepening socioeconomic pressures. Instead of confronting the structural challenges facing its own society, Cairo’s political establishment and its authorities continue to find political utility in presenting Ethiopia as a convenient external threat. That strategy may generate headlines. It cannot stop history. The GERD and the Politics of Fear   At the center of Egypt’s campaign is the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Egyptian political and media narratives have repeatedly portrayed as a unilateral act of aggression. Such claims deliberately reduce a complex transboundary water issue to a politics of fear. The Abay (Nile) Basin is not a political possession belonging to one state. It is a shared geographic system whose future must be shaped by cooperation, science, and the equitable utilization of shared resources. Ethiopia’s position has consistently been that development and water security are not mutually exclusive. The central question is not whether one nation should control the Abay, but whether the countries of the basin can move beyond outdated notions of exclusive entitlement and build a framework that serves all riparian states. The GERD represents Ethiopia’s determination to overcome energy poverty and unlock its economic potential. For a country of more than 130 million people, with vast development needs and enormous hydropower potential, the pursuit of electricity is not an act of aggression. It is a national necessity. The broader hydrological debate also demands a more sophisticated conversation than the one offered by political propaganda. Water management across the Nile Basin involves rainfall, evaporation, watershed protection, reservoir management, agricultural use, and long-term environmental sustainability. Treating the river as a zero-sum instrument of geopolitical control serves neither science nor the people of the basin. Indeed, Ethiopia’s highland watersheds play a critical role in the broader Abay system. The protection and restoration of these ecosystems are not merely Ethiopian concerns; they are essential to the long-term health of the entire basin. Ethiopia Is Investing in the Basin’s Future   While political narratives continue to portray Ethiopia as a threat, Ethiopia is investing in the ecological foundations of its future. Through the Green Legacy Initiative, the country has undertaken one of Africa’s most ambitious environmental restoration campaigns. The initiative has focused on reforestation, watershed rehabilitation, soil conservation, and the restoration of degraded landscapes across the country. These efforts are directly connected to the long-term health of Ethiopia’s rivers and watersheds. Healthy ecosystems improve soil retention, support groundwater recharge, reduce erosion, and strengthen the resilience of landscapes that sustain millions of people. This is the reality that geopolitical propaganda often ignores. The countries of the Nile Basin, particularly the downstream nations face a choice. They can continue to pour resources into military posturing, diplomatic confrontation, and hostile media campaigns—or they can invest in cooperation, ecological restoration, scientific water management, and shared development. The first path deepens insecurity. The second creates the possibility of lasting prosperity. A Sovereign Ethiopia Can No Longer Be Isolated   Ethiopia’s transformation is not limited to the Abay. The country is a major African power with a population exceeding 130 million, a strategic geographic position, substantial economic potential, and an increasingly clear determination to shape its own future. For decades, Ethiopia’s geographical circumstances were treated as a permanent strategic constraint. Its lack of direct maritime access contributed to economic vulnerability and reinforced a broader pattern of regional isolation. That historical reality is changing. Ethiopia’s pursuit of secure and reliable access to the Red Sea is not an act of aggression against its neighbors. It is a strategic imperative arising from geography, economic necessity, and national development. A country of Ethiopia’s size and significance cannot be expected to remain permanently dependent on external arrangements for its international trade and strategic connectivity. The era in which Ethiopia could be expected to accept isolation as a permanent condition is over. Ethiopia has patiently pursued dialogue and negotiated solutions. But dialogue cannot mean the permanent preservation of historical inequality, nor can negotiations be reduced to demands that Ethiopia surrender its sovereign interests. The region must ultimately recognize a simple reality: a prosperous and connected Ethiopia is not a threat to the Horn of Africa. It can become one of the region’s greatest engines of growth. Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Will Be Shaped by Ethiopians The same principle applies to Ethiopia’s internal political affairs. Attempts by foreign commentators and regional actors to dismiss Ethiopia’s National Dialogue as political theater reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of the country’s political journey. Ethiopia’s challenges are real. Its political differences are complex. Its history is contested. But the responsibility for addressing these issues belongs first and foremost to Ethiopians. The National Dialogue represents an effort to create an institutional platform through which diverse political, social, and historical grievances can be discussed and addressed. It is not a project that requires external approval.   Ethiopia’s political future will not be designed in Cairo, Washington, or any other foreign capital. Nor will it be determined by media campaigns, proxy pressure, or external attempts to exploit internal divisions. The country’s democratic institutions may still be evolving, as they are in many nations. But Ethiopia’s political future must ultimately be negotiated by Ethiopians and shaped by the interests of the Ethiopian people. The Abay (Nile) Basin Cannot Remain Hostage to Historical Rivalry The countries of the Nile Basin are bound together by geography. Their destinies are therefore interconnected. They can either cooperate to build a future of shared prosperity, or remain trapped in a cycle of suspicion, confrontation, and geopolitical rivalry. Ethiopia has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to equitable and reasonable utilization of shared water resources. But equitable utilization cannot mean preserving the privileges of the past. Cooperation cannot mean that one country retains a veto over the development aspirations of another. The Nile is not the private property of any single nation. The future of the basin must be built on cooperation, mutual respect, scientific evidence, and the recognition of the legitimate development rights of all riparian states. Ethiopia will not accept a regional order in which its development is permanently subordinated to the political anxieties of another country. Nor will it accept the idea that its people must remain poor so that others can feel secure. The Old Playbook Is Failing Cairo’s familiar strategy—politicize Ethiopia’s development, internationalize its internal challenges, mobilize fear around the GERD, and obstruct Ethiopia’s regional ambitions—may have been effective in another era. It is increasingly failing today. Ethiopia is changing. Its economy is expanding. Its infrastructure is growing. Its environmental ambitions are increasing. Its diplomatic relationships are broadening. Its people are demanding greater prosperity, stronger institutions, and a more influential role in regional and global affairs. No media campaign can permanently reverse that trajectory. The choice before Egypt is therefore not whether Ethiopia will develop. Ethiopia will develop. The real choice is whether Egypt will continue to treat Ethiopia’s rise as a threat—or recognize that a stable, prosperous, energy-secure, and economically connected Ethiopia can become a partner in building a stronger Nile Basin and a more prosperous Horn of Africa. The era of containment is ending. The era of Ethiopian sovereignty is advancing. And no amount of propaganda can stop a nation determined to shape its own future.

Addis Ababa, July 21, 2026 (ENA) — International delegates attending various conferences in Addis Ababa this week have praised the warm hospitality of the Ethiopian capital, its rich cultural heritage, and its rapid urban transformation. Participants noted that the city's welcoming atmosphere and visible development changed their perceptions of Ethiopia, offering memorable experiences that extended well beyond the conference halls into valuable opportunities for learning, cultural exchange, and tourism. They told ENA that conference schedules often allow time to explore Addis Ababa's museums, historic landmarks, and nearby attractions, giving them a deeper appreciation of Ethiopia's history, culture, and ongoing transformation. For many returning visitors, Ethiopia's hospitality remains one of the country's defining qualities. "This is my second time coming to Ethiopia," said Obong Moses, Assistant Commissioner for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at Uganda's Ministry of Education and Sports, who attended the Innovating Education in Africa Expo 2026. "One thing I've learned is that the people are really welcoming. They really receive visitors." Moses also highlighted the professional lessons he gained during the visit. "I've seen that the TVET system in Ethiopia is more advanced than the one we have in Uganda. This is one thing I can share with you," he said. "The people are very, very kind. I think it feels like home rather than a different country," said Alshimaa Elbahrawy, Co-Founder of Deaf Gain, an Egyptian social enterprise and edtech platform, who also participated in the Innovating Education in Africa Expo 2026. "The special thing I found here is the museum and how it presents the country's history from ancient times to the modern era. People here are open to different cultures and help visitors from around the world learn about Ethiopian culture." Elbahrawy added that a program organized by the African Union further enriched her understanding of Ethiopia by introducing participants to local cuisine, traditions, and cultural heritage. Beyond the professional engagements, many participants said their cultural experiences left a lasting impression. "I would like to express my deepest appreciation for this visit, especially meeting the Ethiopian people. They were very friendly and absolutely lovely people," said Professor Ardian Gola, a sociologist participating in the Parliamentary Intelligence Security Forum. "Their approach toward us was wonderful and very inspiring, motivating us to come again and again to Ethiopia. Ethiopia is a land of origins. The cultural experiences we have had here enrich our spirit and broaden our educational perspective." Participants said that Addis Ababa's blend of modern infrastructure and traditional heritage makes it an attractive destination for international conferences, enabling visitors to combine professional engagement with cultural exploration. They also expressed admiration for the city's evolving skyline, expanding green spaces, and well-curated cultural sites, noting that Addis Ababa offers an accessible gateway to experience both Ethiopia's rich history and its ongoing transformation within a short visit.