Headlines
A Brief Interview with Russia’s Federation Council speaker Matvienko
Feb 18, 2025 34
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA)—Valentina Matvienko, the Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, is on an official visit to Ethiopia from February 18 to 20, 2025. In an exclusive interview with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA,) Matvienko shared her view on the historical and contemporary relations between Russia and Ethiopia as well as the significance of the visit to Ethiopia. Below is the full interview conducted with Matvienko ENA : Good afternoon, Ms. Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko. First of all, I would like to know what importance of Russian-Ethiopian inter-parliamentary cooperation will be in terms of strengthening the political institutions of the two countries? Good afternoon! I am glad to answer your questions. For some reason you are asking a question in the future tense - “what importance will be?” But in reality close Russian-Ethiopian inter-parliamentary cooperation has already played and is playing an important role in strengthening and developing political dialogue at various levels. Our parliamentary ties are a powerful resource that consolidates the leaders’ agreements and creates a legislative framework for their implementation, which is, of course, facilitated by regular contacts between parliamentarians. A truly significant event was the signing in 2023 of the Memorandum on cooperation between the upper houses of our parliaments. By the way, they are called alike – the House of Federation. Parliamentary friendship groups also make a great contribution to strengthening bilateral cooperation. We are actively working on the platform of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and last year the Ethiopian delegation took part in the events of the 10th anniversary BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg. The main topic of the discussion was the role of parliaments in strengthening multilateralism for a fair and global development and security. I remember that I was deeply impressed by the brilliant statement of the Chairperson of the House of Federation of Ethiopia H.E. Agegnehu Teshager. Then it became obvious to me that the Ethiopian-Russian inter-parliamentary dialogue is a discussion between like-minded people striving for a more perfect world order. I am sure that we need to move forward, exchange experience in the field of legislative activity, and speed up developing of a joint actions’ plan for the near future. We are also planning to enhance interregional cooperation, which, from our point of view, has a significant potential. ENA - Indeed, the Russian-Ethiopian dialogue has acquired a large-scale character recently. How would you assess the current level of relations between Russia and Ethiopia? Relations between our two countries are now at a very high level. Ethiopia is one of the Russia’s most important and key partners in Africa, the first state on the African continent with which we have established official diplomatic contacts. This year we mark the 127th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. Over these years, a rich history of cooperation based on respect, trust and equal partnership has been created. At the same time, the ties between our peoples, as I believe you know, have a much longer history of friendship. Ethiopian land is the birthplace of Abram Petrovich Gannibal, the great-great-grandfather of the great Russian poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin. The genius of Pushkin is our common heritage, which we greatly value and are proud of. And, taking this opportunity, I would like to thank the Ethiopians for attention they pay to preserving the memory of the poet, who has become one of the symbols of the unity of our countries. You should know that we in Russia see and appreciate this. The uniqueness of Ethiopia is that it is the only African country that has never been colonized. At the same time, it had to defend its independence more than once. And I am pleased to note that at the end of the 19th century it was the Russian Cossacks who supported Ethiopia in the fight against Italian invaders. In the 20th century, our peoples faced with a difficult test. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory over fascism, which is the most important milestone in the history of mankind, an event that determined the fate of peoples for many generations to come. Our countries have made an invaluable contribution to the common fight against this evil. Currently, high-level meetings certainly give a powerful impetus to bilateral relations. Over the past two years, Prime Minister of Ethiopia Dr. Abiy Ahmed has visited the Russian Federation twice: in July 2023, on an official visit conjuncted with the Second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, and in October 2024, he took an active part in the BRICS Summit in Kazan. During both visits, Dr. Abiy Ahmed had detailed negotiations with the President of the Russian Federation H.E. Vladimir Putin. I say it is a good manifestation of the existing close approaches of our states in international affairs. Russia and Ethiopia have always fought together against colonialism and defended the freedom of African peoples. And today both countries actively advocate for the creation of a fair, polycentric world order. We are united by a common understanding that a system of international relations that ignores the interests of entire countries and regions must become a thing of the past. The new world order must be based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, justice, and the freedom of each state to independently choose its own path of development, its own destiny without external interference. Moscow and Addis Ababa actively oppose any illegal restrictions, sanctions, or bans. Russia is grateful to our Ethiopian friends for their desire to take into account our country’s opinion on sensitive issues on the international agenda. In this regard, I would like to express gratitude to our Ethiopian partners for supporting Russian initiatives at the UN aimed at combating the glorification of Nazism, preventing the militarization of space, ensuring international information security, etc. We especially highly appreciate Addis Ababa’s balanced approach to the situation in Ukraine. We certainly welcome the successful full-fledged entry of Ethiopia into BRICS during the Russian chairmanship in the association in 2024. I am sure that your country’s participation in a fundamentally new format of global governance will continue to contribute to the establishment of strong and long-term political cooperation with other BRICS states, benefit the economic growth of Ethiopia, and facilitate trade both within the association and in a bilateral format with the member states. Over the years, ties between our states have only become stronger, and I see our main task as supporting this trend in all areas. With this in mind, we are visiting Addis Ababa with a very representative delegation. I am sure our visit will be fruitful. What measures are being taken to further strengthen relations between Russia and Ethiopia in the areas of trade and investment to fully use their potential? The progressive development of political relations between states must, of course, be based on a strong economic basis. I know that Ethiopians remember and appreciate the enormous contribution of our country – then the USSR – to the joint realization of major infrastructure projects, the construction of industrial enterprises, and energy facilities. Soviet geologists discovered deposits of various minerals. We helped you in scientific crop production and the creation of livestock farms. Military and technical cooperation was also actively developing. More than 20 thousand Ethiopian citizens were educated in the Soviet Union, 5 thousand specialists received professional training. Moscow also helped to overcome the consequences of a protracted drought and famine in the mid-1980s. This positive experience allows us today to successfully develop ties, despite to any external pressure. Currently, Russian companies are working on a number of promising projects in Ethiopia in various fields, including automotive, chemical, electrical, food industries, transport, information and telecommunications technologies, and of course, agriculture, and energy. Good prospects for cooperation are opening up in the field of use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. For many years, successful cooperation has continued between the Russian Red Cross and the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia. These are the real areas where we provide mutually beneficial partnerships. I'm convinced that it will only gain momentum. In this regard, I would like to mention the Intergovernmental Russian-Ethiopian Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and Trade, which is the driving mechanism for the entire complex of trade, economic and investment interaction. We plan to hold its next meeting this year in St. Petersburg. The preparation for this serious event explains, among other things, the representative character of the current Russian delegation, which includes federal ministers, deputy ministers, as well as heads of large Russian state corporations. They will have separate meetings with their Ethiopian colleagues to discuss specific steps for realizing new projects. I would like to note that our trade and economic cooperation seamlessly supplements cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian field. Every year we provide 100 scholarships for Ethiopian students to study at Russian universities. Let me remind you that the traditional Days of Russia in Ethiopia were successfully held in Addis Ababa in September, 2024, which became a resonant event in the cultural life of the Ethiopian capital. At the same time, I am sure that much remains to be done to ensure that the entire gigantic potential of Russian-Ethiopian friendship will be realized for the benefit of our peoples. END
Horn of Africa Initiative Progressing Well:  Initiative Chair
Feb 18, 2025 167
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA) --- The Horn of Africa Initiative is being executed within various development projects that have the potential to yield positive outcomes for multiple countries, the Initiative current Chairman Ahmed Shide said. According to him, the focus of these projects is on fostering collaboration and mutual benefit among nations, with a strong emphasis on achieving sustainable development goals. By strategically investing in these initiatives, the aim is to not only drive economic growth but also strengthen diplomatic relations and promote regional integration, the chairman elaborated. The idea is also to implement initiatives in pastoral regions, including water wells, animal health care, and projects, to minimize disaster risks, he stated. In the context of community health, disease control centers would be established strategically at border checkpoints and airports.   These centers serve as vital hubs for early detection, monitoring, and prevention of the potential spread of infectious diseases across borders. He believes that such proactive measures are crucial in safeguarding public health and minimizing the risks associated with cross-border transmission of diseases. IGAD has played a crucial role in developing strategies for border regions, shaping policies to foster sustainable growth and address unique challenges faced by communities in these areas, Ahmed pointed out. He also elaborated on the fact that a mutual agreement has been successfully reached to enhance the capacity of development funds by welcoming a greater number of development partners into the collaboration. Furthermore, the chairman announced that successful negotiations have been made on development initiatives with US, UK, and Germany, agreeing on key aspects and cooperation among government representatives. The World Bank, African Development Bank, and European Union also provide financial and technical assistance to the initiative development projects. The initiative, established five years ago, initially involved five Horn of African countries and later added Sudan and South Sudan.
AU Mission Head in Somalia Stresses Importance of Ethiopia’s Engagement in Peace, Security Council
Feb 18, 2025 203
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA)--- Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia, Mohamed El-Amine Souef, underscored the importance of Ethiopia’s involvement in the African Union Peace and Security Council. Ethiopia has been elected as a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union held in Addis Ababa last week. The election recognizes Ethiopia's contributions to peace, security and development across the African continent. Speaking to ENA, Souef stressed that Ethiopia’s membership is crucial not only for regional peace but also for the stability of the entire continent. “I think it is something very important for all of us,” he said. He added that Ethiopia has played a significant role in various UN peacekeeping missions and worked diligently during the Darfur conflict. Today, Ethiopia is one of the biggest contingents in AMISOM, ATIMS and probably AUSSOM he said, adding “I think it is something very important, because they (Ethiopian) know the field, they understand the threats to peace and stability.” The Horn of Africa, a region facing numerous challenges, holds significant global strategic relevance. “I think it is crucial for Ethiopia to be there, and if they can link up and consult with other African countries in the Horn of Africa, because this is a highly strategic maritime route.” “If the Horn of Africa is not stable, the entire world will be affected,” Souef said, noting the maritime from Europe to China and Australia passes through the Red Sea and down to the Horn of Africa. Hence, he stated if Ethiopia has this responsibility here, and this will be something very interesting for us, as it is a key player in the region. Ethiopia has experience working with all African countries, and most of the African countries are represented here in Ethiopia through their diplomatic missions in Addis Ababa. “I think this will make it easier for Ethiopia to do so,” he added.
AfCFTA Secretary-General Urges African Nations to Accelerate Implementation of Established Rules
Feb 18, 2025 161
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA) --- AfCFTA Secretariat Secretary-General Wamkele Mene stressed on urged need of African countries to accelerate the implementation of agreed-upon rules to unlock markets and attract investment, particularly in the face of rising global trade protectionism. Speaking to ENA, the Secretary-General stated that progress has been made in the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) since the establishment of the Secretariat in Addis Ababa in 2020. Noting that 48 countries deposited their instruments of ratification, the Secretary-General said that trade has already been underway among 19 countries under AfCFTA rules. Mene appreciated the growing participation of the private sector and the completion of all necessary legal protocols of AfCFTA required by heads of state. “We are very happy with the progress we've made. We've concluded all of the protocols that were required by the leaders. From a legal foundation point of view, we have concluded all of the necessary legal protocols. We've made good progress. We've come a long way, but we have a long way to go,” Mene said. Despite the progress, Mene noted “the big challenge is the cost of infrastructure that supports trade. The deficit is estimated to be 150 billion dollars that constrains our ability to trade in larger volumes. Then, this poses a challenge to the cost of interconnectivity and lack of movement of persons around the continent. These are challenges that are external to the trade agreement, but they have an impact on the work that we do,” he pointed out. He added “However, I am optimistic that by working with African Development Bank, Afri-Exim Bank and other development finance institutions we will continue to make progress in this regard.” “We need to consolidate the rules that we've negotiated, the rules that open markets, and the rules that open markets for goods, for investment. On paper, we have a very good agreement.The next step is that our leaders should push for accelerated implementation of AfCTA at national and regional levels. That's the most important challenge that we face, given what is happening in the world with increased trade...protectionism, increased investment protectionism; we have to build a domestic market on the continent,” he elaborated He reaffirmed that the Secretariat's commitment to accelerating the implementation of AfCFTA protocols. He elaborated the progress on key issues such as tariff reduction, rules of origin for most traded products (with ongoing negotiations for the automotive and textile/clothing sectors), and the list of goods to be traded within Africa. “We will continue to implement the agreement. We have concluded all of the protocols that we were required to conclude. What we should expect is accelerated implementation,” he said. He mentioned a number of agreed upon pressing issues. “We have already agreed on the tariff reduction. There is a formula that was agreed to five years ago that's being implemented. On rules of origin, we have agreed on all of products that Africa trades, except to automotive sector and textiles and clothing. These two sectors are under negotiation on the rules of origin. And I'm sure that in due course, we will conclude these negotiations.” The Secretary-General commended Ethiopia for its recent progress in preparing to trade under the AfCFTA. “The government of Ethiopia was congratulated, deservedly on submitting the offer on trading in goods, which is a very good basis for Ethiopia to start trading with the rest of the continent, other regions. So this is something that was very much welcomed,” he added. Regarding trade in services, the offer was also presented and tabled to the Council of Ministers. So soon, on the services side, we will see progress. My view is that Ethiopia is well poised to start trading in goods in the very, very near future,” he said. Addressing the broader issue of movement of persons across the continent, Mene acknowledged that significant work remains. He pointed out that the protocol on the movement of persons has been ratified by only four countries, requiring need for greater commitment to facilitate trade through the movement of people. As regards movement of persons, we are still far behind as a continent, not just the AfCFTA, he stated.
Featured
A Brief Interview with Russia’s Federation Council speaker Matvienko
Feb 18, 2025 34
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA)—Valentina Matvienko, the Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, is on an official visit to Ethiopia from February 18 to 20, 2025. In an exclusive interview with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA,) Matvienko shared her view on the historical and contemporary relations between Russia and Ethiopia as well as the significance of the visit to Ethiopia. Below is the full interview conducted with Matvienko ENA : Good afternoon, Ms. Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko. First of all, I would like to know what importance of Russian-Ethiopian inter-parliamentary cooperation will be in terms of strengthening the political institutions of the two countries? Good afternoon! I am glad to answer your questions. For some reason you are asking a question in the future tense - “what importance will be?” But in reality close Russian-Ethiopian inter-parliamentary cooperation has already played and is playing an important role in strengthening and developing political dialogue at various levels. Our parliamentary ties are a powerful resource that consolidates the leaders’ agreements and creates a legislative framework for their implementation, which is, of course, facilitated by regular contacts between parliamentarians. A truly significant event was the signing in 2023 of the Memorandum on cooperation between the upper houses of our parliaments. By the way, they are called alike – the House of Federation. Parliamentary friendship groups also make a great contribution to strengthening bilateral cooperation. We are actively working on the platform of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and last year the Ethiopian delegation took part in the events of the 10th anniversary BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg. The main topic of the discussion was the role of parliaments in strengthening multilateralism for a fair and global development and security. I remember that I was deeply impressed by the brilliant statement of the Chairperson of the House of Federation of Ethiopia H.E. Agegnehu Teshager. Then it became obvious to me that the Ethiopian-Russian inter-parliamentary dialogue is a discussion between like-minded people striving for a more perfect world order. I am sure that we need to move forward, exchange experience in the field of legislative activity, and speed up developing of a joint actions’ plan for the near future. We are also planning to enhance interregional cooperation, which, from our point of view, has a significant potential. ENA - Indeed, the Russian-Ethiopian dialogue has acquired a large-scale character recently. How would you assess the current level of relations between Russia and Ethiopia? Relations between our two countries are now at a very high level. Ethiopia is one of the Russia’s most important and key partners in Africa, the first state on the African continent with which we have established official diplomatic contacts. This year we mark the 127th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. Over these years, a rich history of cooperation based on respect, trust and equal partnership has been created. At the same time, the ties between our peoples, as I believe you know, have a much longer history of friendship. Ethiopian land is the birthplace of Abram Petrovich Gannibal, the great-great-grandfather of the great Russian poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin. The genius of Pushkin is our common heritage, which we greatly value and are proud of. And, taking this opportunity, I would like to thank the Ethiopians for attention they pay to preserving the memory of the poet, who has become one of the symbols of the unity of our countries. You should know that we in Russia see and appreciate this. The uniqueness of Ethiopia is that it is the only African country that has never been colonized. At the same time, it had to defend its independence more than once. And I am pleased to note that at the end of the 19th century it was the Russian Cossacks who supported Ethiopia in the fight against Italian invaders. In the 20th century, our peoples faced with a difficult test. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory over fascism, which is the most important milestone in the history of mankind, an event that determined the fate of peoples for many generations to come. Our countries have made an invaluable contribution to the common fight against this evil. Currently, high-level meetings certainly give a powerful impetus to bilateral relations. Over the past two years, Prime Minister of Ethiopia Dr. Abiy Ahmed has visited the Russian Federation twice: in July 2023, on an official visit conjuncted with the Second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, and in October 2024, he took an active part in the BRICS Summit in Kazan. During both visits, Dr. Abiy Ahmed had detailed negotiations with the President of the Russian Federation H.E. Vladimir Putin. I say it is a good manifestation of the existing close approaches of our states in international affairs. Russia and Ethiopia have always fought together against colonialism and defended the freedom of African peoples. And today both countries actively advocate for the creation of a fair, polycentric world order. We are united by a common understanding that a system of international relations that ignores the interests of entire countries and regions must become a thing of the past. The new world order must be based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, justice, and the freedom of each state to independently choose its own path of development, its own destiny without external interference. Moscow and Addis Ababa actively oppose any illegal restrictions, sanctions, or bans. Russia is grateful to our Ethiopian friends for their desire to take into account our country’s opinion on sensitive issues on the international agenda. In this regard, I would like to express gratitude to our Ethiopian partners for supporting Russian initiatives at the UN aimed at combating the glorification of Nazism, preventing the militarization of space, ensuring international information security, etc. We especially highly appreciate Addis Ababa’s balanced approach to the situation in Ukraine. We certainly welcome the successful full-fledged entry of Ethiopia into BRICS during the Russian chairmanship in the association in 2024. I am sure that your country’s participation in a fundamentally new format of global governance will continue to contribute to the establishment of strong and long-term political cooperation with other BRICS states, benefit the economic growth of Ethiopia, and facilitate trade both within the association and in a bilateral format with the member states. Over the years, ties between our states have only become stronger, and I see our main task as supporting this trend in all areas. With this in mind, we are visiting Addis Ababa with a very representative delegation. I am sure our visit will be fruitful. What measures are being taken to further strengthen relations between Russia and Ethiopia in the areas of trade and investment to fully use their potential? The progressive development of political relations between states must, of course, be based on a strong economic basis. I know that Ethiopians remember and appreciate the enormous contribution of our country – then the USSR – to the joint realization of major infrastructure projects, the construction of industrial enterprises, and energy facilities. Soviet geologists discovered deposits of various minerals. We helped you in scientific crop production and the creation of livestock farms. Military and technical cooperation was also actively developing. More than 20 thousand Ethiopian citizens were educated in the Soviet Union, 5 thousand specialists received professional training. Moscow also helped to overcome the consequences of a protracted drought and famine in the mid-1980s. This positive experience allows us today to successfully develop ties, despite to any external pressure. Currently, Russian companies are working on a number of promising projects in Ethiopia in various fields, including automotive, chemical, electrical, food industries, transport, information and telecommunications technologies, and of course, agriculture, and energy. Good prospects for cooperation are opening up in the field of use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. For many years, successful cooperation has continued between the Russian Red Cross and the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia. These are the real areas where we provide mutually beneficial partnerships. I'm convinced that it will only gain momentum. In this regard, I would like to mention the Intergovernmental Russian-Ethiopian Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and Trade, which is the driving mechanism for the entire complex of trade, economic and investment interaction. We plan to hold its next meeting this year in St. Petersburg. The preparation for this serious event explains, among other things, the representative character of the current Russian delegation, which includes federal ministers, deputy ministers, as well as heads of large Russian state corporations. They will have separate meetings with their Ethiopian colleagues to discuss specific steps for realizing new projects. I would like to note that our trade and economic cooperation seamlessly supplements cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian field. Every year we provide 100 scholarships for Ethiopian students to study at Russian universities. Let me remind you that the traditional Days of Russia in Ethiopia were successfully held in Addis Ababa in September, 2024, which became a resonant event in the cultural life of the Ethiopian capital. At the same time, I am sure that much remains to be done to ensure that the entire gigantic potential of Russian-Ethiopian friendship will be realized for the benefit of our peoples. END
Horn of Africa Initiative Progressing Well:  Initiative Chair
Feb 18, 2025 167
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA) --- The Horn of Africa Initiative is being executed within various development projects that have the potential to yield positive outcomes for multiple countries, the Initiative current Chairman Ahmed Shide said. According to him, the focus of these projects is on fostering collaboration and mutual benefit among nations, with a strong emphasis on achieving sustainable development goals. By strategically investing in these initiatives, the aim is to not only drive economic growth but also strengthen diplomatic relations and promote regional integration, the chairman elaborated. The idea is also to implement initiatives in pastoral regions, including water wells, animal health care, and projects, to minimize disaster risks, he stated. In the context of community health, disease control centers would be established strategically at border checkpoints and airports.   These centers serve as vital hubs for early detection, monitoring, and prevention of the potential spread of infectious diseases across borders. He believes that such proactive measures are crucial in safeguarding public health and minimizing the risks associated with cross-border transmission of diseases. IGAD has played a crucial role in developing strategies for border regions, shaping policies to foster sustainable growth and address unique challenges faced by communities in these areas, Ahmed pointed out. He also elaborated on the fact that a mutual agreement has been successfully reached to enhance the capacity of development funds by welcoming a greater number of development partners into the collaboration. Furthermore, the chairman announced that successful negotiations have been made on development initiatives with US, UK, and Germany, agreeing on key aspects and cooperation among government representatives. The World Bank, African Development Bank, and European Union also provide financial and technical assistance to the initiative development projects. The initiative, established five years ago, initially involved five Horn of African countries and later added Sudan and South Sudan.
AU Mission Head in Somalia Stresses Importance of Ethiopia’s Engagement in Peace, Security Council
Feb 18, 2025 203
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA)--- Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia, Mohamed El-Amine Souef, underscored the importance of Ethiopia’s involvement in the African Union Peace and Security Council. Ethiopia has been elected as a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union held in Addis Ababa last week. The election recognizes Ethiopia's contributions to peace, security and development across the African continent. Speaking to ENA, Souef stressed that Ethiopia’s membership is crucial not only for regional peace but also for the stability of the entire continent. “I think it is something very important for all of us,” he said. He added that Ethiopia has played a significant role in various UN peacekeeping missions and worked diligently during the Darfur conflict. Today, Ethiopia is one of the biggest contingents in AMISOM, ATIMS and probably AUSSOM he said, adding “I think it is something very important, because they (Ethiopian) know the field, they understand the threats to peace and stability.” The Horn of Africa, a region facing numerous challenges, holds significant global strategic relevance. “I think it is crucial for Ethiopia to be there, and if they can link up and consult with other African countries in the Horn of Africa, because this is a highly strategic maritime route.” “If the Horn of Africa is not stable, the entire world will be affected,” Souef said, noting the maritime from Europe to China and Australia passes through the Red Sea and down to the Horn of Africa. Hence, he stated if Ethiopia has this responsibility here, and this will be something very interesting for us, as it is a key player in the region. Ethiopia has experience working with all African countries, and most of the African countries are represented here in Ethiopia through their diplomatic missions in Addis Ababa. “I think this will make it easier for Ethiopia to do so,” he added.
AfCFTA Secretary-General Urges African Nations to Accelerate Implementation of Established Rules
Feb 18, 2025 161
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA) --- AfCFTA Secretariat Secretary-General Wamkele Mene stressed on urged need of African countries to accelerate the implementation of agreed-upon rules to unlock markets and attract investment, particularly in the face of rising global trade protectionism. Speaking to ENA, the Secretary-General stated that progress has been made in the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) since the establishment of the Secretariat in Addis Ababa in 2020. Noting that 48 countries deposited their instruments of ratification, the Secretary-General said that trade has already been underway among 19 countries under AfCFTA rules. Mene appreciated the growing participation of the private sector and the completion of all necessary legal protocols of AfCFTA required by heads of state. “We are very happy with the progress we've made. We've concluded all of the protocols that were required by the leaders. From a legal foundation point of view, we have concluded all of the necessary legal protocols. We've made good progress. We've come a long way, but we have a long way to go,” Mene said. Despite the progress, Mene noted “the big challenge is the cost of infrastructure that supports trade. The deficit is estimated to be 150 billion dollars that constrains our ability to trade in larger volumes. Then, this poses a challenge to the cost of interconnectivity and lack of movement of persons around the continent. These are challenges that are external to the trade agreement, but they have an impact on the work that we do,” he pointed out. He added “However, I am optimistic that by working with African Development Bank, Afri-Exim Bank and other development finance institutions we will continue to make progress in this regard.” “We need to consolidate the rules that we've negotiated, the rules that open markets, and the rules that open markets for goods, for investment. On paper, we have a very good agreement.The next step is that our leaders should push for accelerated implementation of AfCTA at national and regional levels. That's the most important challenge that we face, given what is happening in the world with increased trade...protectionism, increased investment protectionism; we have to build a domestic market on the continent,” he elaborated He reaffirmed that the Secretariat's commitment to accelerating the implementation of AfCFTA protocols. He elaborated the progress on key issues such as tariff reduction, rules of origin for most traded products (with ongoing negotiations for the automotive and textile/clothing sectors), and the list of goods to be traded within Africa. “We will continue to implement the agreement. We have concluded all of the protocols that we were required to conclude. What we should expect is accelerated implementation,” he said. He mentioned a number of agreed upon pressing issues. “We have already agreed on the tariff reduction. There is a formula that was agreed to five years ago that's being implemented. On rules of origin, we have agreed on all of products that Africa trades, except to automotive sector and textiles and clothing. These two sectors are under negotiation on the rules of origin. And I'm sure that in due course, we will conclude these negotiations.” The Secretary-General commended Ethiopia for its recent progress in preparing to trade under the AfCFTA. “The government of Ethiopia was congratulated, deservedly on submitting the offer on trading in goods, which is a very good basis for Ethiopia to start trading with the rest of the continent, other regions. So this is something that was very much welcomed,” he added. Regarding trade in services, the offer was also presented and tabled to the Council of Ministers. So soon, on the services side, we will see progress. My view is that Ethiopia is well poised to start trading in goods in the very, very near future,” he said. Addressing the broader issue of movement of persons across the continent, Mene acknowledged that significant work remains. He pointed out that the protocol on the movement of persons has been ratified by only four countries, requiring need for greater commitment to facilitate trade through the movement of people. As regards movement of persons, we are still far behind as a continent, not just the AfCFTA, he stated.
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Politics
AU Mission Head in Somalia Stresses Importance of Ethiopia’s Engagement in Peace, Security Council
Feb 18, 2025 203
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA)--- Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia, Mohamed El-Amine Souef, underscored the importance of Ethiopia’s involvement in the African Union Peace and Security Council. Ethiopia has been elected as a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union held in Addis Ababa last week. The election recognizes Ethiopia's contributions to peace, security and development across the African continent. Speaking to ENA, Souef stressed that Ethiopia’s membership is crucial not only for regional peace but also for the stability of the entire continent. “I think it is something very important for all of us,” he said. He added that Ethiopia has played a significant role in various UN peacekeeping missions and worked diligently during the Darfur conflict. Today, Ethiopia is one of the biggest contingents in AMISOM, ATIMS and probably AUSSOM he said, adding “I think it is something very important, because they (Ethiopian) know the field, they understand the threats to peace and stability.” The Horn of Africa, a region facing numerous challenges, holds significant global strategic relevance. “I think it is crucial for Ethiopia to be there, and if they can link up and consult with other African countries in the Horn of Africa, because this is a highly strategic maritime route.” “If the Horn of Africa is not stable, the entire world will be affected,” Souef said, noting the maritime from Europe to China and Australia passes through the Red Sea and down to the Horn of Africa. Hence, he stated if Ethiopia has this responsibility here, and this will be something very interesting for us, as it is a key player in the region. Ethiopia has experience working with all African countries, and most of the African countries are represented here in Ethiopia through their diplomatic missions in Addis Ababa. “I think this will make it easier for Ethiopia to do so,” he added.
Successful Conclusion of AU Summit Shows Ethiopia’s Capacity to Host Int’l Summit: Foreign Affairs Ministry
Feb 18, 2025 173
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA)- The successfully concluded 38th African Union Summit has demonstrated Ethiopia’s capacity to host international summit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today. State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Birtukan Ayano Dadi gave a briefing to the press regarding the successful conclusion of the Ordinary Sessions of the 46th Executive Council and the 38th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. In her presser, the State Minister stated that both the Executive Council and the Summit, which were attended by more than 12,000 guests, concluded successfully coupled with impeccable hospitality.   Ambassador Birtukan also explained that a King, 30 Presidents, 3 Vice Presidents, 5 Prime Ministers and 17 First Ladies from Member States, participated in the Summit together with their respective delegations. She told reporters, the National Coordinating Committee for the AU Summit, which the State Minister chairs, was led by senior leadership in the government and under constant supervision ensured the smooth proceedings and fruitful completion of the Summit. Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 101 volunteer cadet protocol officers took part in the execution of the host country’s responsibilities in terms of protocol and etiquette, among other things, she mentioned. The inclusion of additional volunteer cadets with diverse foreign language backgrounds also made this year’s summit more convenient for the guests, as it minimized communication barriers, Ambassador Birtukan said. She also stressed the astute leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in spearheading the overall undertakings. Speaking of diplomatic clearances facilitated for the participants, Ambassador said, 57 flights at presidential and heads of delegation levels were issued landing and overflight permits to take part in the 38th AU Summit.   On top of meticulously facilitating the smooth arrival, stay and departure of participants, the State Minister stated that, the various bilateral side meetings on the margins of the Summit by the senior leadership including the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister of Foreign Affairs created a conducive atmosphere for the signing of miscellaneous agreements and renewed engagements to safeguard Ethiopia’s interests at national, regional and continental levels. The 38th AU Summit apart from further entrenching Addis Ababa’s position as the longstanding political and diplomatic capital of Africa also served as a litmus test of the City’s future prospects as a pivotal trade and investment hub, Ambassador Birtukan stated. The Summit, according to her, helped the new generation to realize that a new Pan-African wave is in the making through economic integration and infrastructural inter-linkages. The Ambassador concluded the press briefing by expressing the gratitude of the People and Government of Ethiopia to all stakeholders across the board and most importantly, the residents of Addis Ababa and the rest of Ethiopia, for their exemplary hospitality and commitment, active participation, tenacious support and seamless cooperation in the incessant efforts towards ensuring the effective conclusion of the eventful Summit. The 38th AU Summit took place at the AU Headquarters from 12 to 16 February 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ethiopia Remains One of Russia’s Key Partners in Africa - Valentina Matvienko
Feb 18, 2025 836
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA)-- Ethiopia is one of Russia’s most important and key partners in Africa, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Valentina Matvienko told ENA. The Speaker explained that close Russian-Ethiopian inter-parliamentary cooperation plays a crucial role in strengthening and developing political dialogue at various levels. She further highlighted that the two countries are actively collaborating on the platform of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Recall that Ethiopian delegation participated in the 10th anniversary events of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg last year to strengthening the role of parliaments in multilateralism for fair global development and security. Matvienko recalled a productive discussion during the event with the Speaker of Ethiopia’s House of Federation (HoF), Agegnehu Teshager. “I remember being deeply impressed by the brilliant statement by Agegnehu Teshager, the Speaker of HoF. It became evident to me that the Ethiopian-Russian inter-parliamentary dialogue is a discussion between like-minded people striving for a more perfect world order,” she underscored. Matvienko also elaborated on the multifaceted relations between the two countries, stating that, “Ethiopia is one of Russia’s most important and key partners in Africa.” She noted that Ethiopia was the first African state with which Russia established official diplomatic ties. "This year marks the 127th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. Over these years, we have built a rich history of cooperation based on respect, trust, and equal partnership," she said. The speaker further explained that high-level meetings continue to provide a powerful impetus to bilateral relations. Over the past two years, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has visited the Russian Federation twice: in July 2023, on an official visit during the Second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, and in October 2024, during the BRICS Summit in Kazan. Russia welcomes Ethiopia's successful full-fledged entry into BRICS during the Russian chairmanship in 2024. Ethiopia's participation in this new format of global governance is also anticipated to contribute to establishing strong and long-term political cooperation with other BRICS states, benefit Ethiopia's economic growth, and facilitate trade within the association and bilaterally with member states. Moreover, the trade and investment ties between the two countries are also promising. Currently, Russian companies are engaged in several projects in Ethiopia across various fields, including automotive, chemical, electrical, food industries, transport, information and telecommunications technologies, agriculture, and energy.
Politics
AU Mission Head in Somalia Stresses Importance of Ethiopia’s Engagement in Peace, Security Council
Feb 18, 2025 203
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA)--- Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia, Mohamed El-Amine Souef, underscored the importance of Ethiopia’s involvement in the African Union Peace and Security Council. Ethiopia has been elected as a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union held in Addis Ababa last week. The election recognizes Ethiopia's contributions to peace, security and development across the African continent. Speaking to ENA, Souef stressed that Ethiopia’s membership is crucial not only for regional peace but also for the stability of the entire continent. “I think it is something very important for all of us,” he said. He added that Ethiopia has played a significant role in various UN peacekeeping missions and worked diligently during the Darfur conflict. Today, Ethiopia is one of the biggest contingents in AMISOM, ATIMS and probably AUSSOM he said, adding “I think it is something very important, because they (Ethiopian) know the field, they understand the threats to peace and stability.” The Horn of Africa, a region facing numerous challenges, holds significant global strategic relevance. “I think it is crucial for Ethiopia to be there, and if they can link up and consult with other African countries in the Horn of Africa, because this is a highly strategic maritime route.” “If the Horn of Africa is not stable, the entire world will be affected,” Souef said, noting the maritime from Europe to China and Australia passes through the Red Sea and down to the Horn of Africa. Hence, he stated if Ethiopia has this responsibility here, and this will be something very interesting for us, as it is a key player in the region. Ethiopia has experience working with all African countries, and most of the African countries are represented here in Ethiopia through their diplomatic missions in Addis Ababa. “I think this will make it easier for Ethiopia to do so,” he added.
Successful Conclusion of AU Summit Shows Ethiopia’s Capacity to Host Int’l Summit: Foreign Affairs Ministry
Feb 18, 2025 173
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA)- The successfully concluded 38th African Union Summit has demonstrated Ethiopia’s capacity to host international summit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today. State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Birtukan Ayano Dadi gave a briefing to the press regarding the successful conclusion of the Ordinary Sessions of the 46th Executive Council and the 38th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. In her presser, the State Minister stated that both the Executive Council and the Summit, which were attended by more than 12,000 guests, concluded successfully coupled with impeccable hospitality.   Ambassador Birtukan also explained that a King, 30 Presidents, 3 Vice Presidents, 5 Prime Ministers and 17 First Ladies from Member States, participated in the Summit together with their respective delegations. She told reporters, the National Coordinating Committee for the AU Summit, which the State Minister chairs, was led by senior leadership in the government and under constant supervision ensured the smooth proceedings and fruitful completion of the Summit. Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 101 volunteer cadet protocol officers took part in the execution of the host country’s responsibilities in terms of protocol and etiquette, among other things, she mentioned. The inclusion of additional volunteer cadets with diverse foreign language backgrounds also made this year’s summit more convenient for the guests, as it minimized communication barriers, Ambassador Birtukan said. She also stressed the astute leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in spearheading the overall undertakings. Speaking of diplomatic clearances facilitated for the participants, Ambassador said, 57 flights at presidential and heads of delegation levels were issued landing and overflight permits to take part in the 38th AU Summit.   On top of meticulously facilitating the smooth arrival, stay and departure of participants, the State Minister stated that, the various bilateral side meetings on the margins of the Summit by the senior leadership including the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister of Foreign Affairs created a conducive atmosphere for the signing of miscellaneous agreements and renewed engagements to safeguard Ethiopia’s interests at national, regional and continental levels. The 38th AU Summit apart from further entrenching Addis Ababa’s position as the longstanding political and diplomatic capital of Africa also served as a litmus test of the City’s future prospects as a pivotal trade and investment hub, Ambassador Birtukan stated. The Summit, according to her, helped the new generation to realize that a new Pan-African wave is in the making through economic integration and infrastructural inter-linkages. The Ambassador concluded the press briefing by expressing the gratitude of the People and Government of Ethiopia to all stakeholders across the board and most importantly, the residents of Addis Ababa and the rest of Ethiopia, for their exemplary hospitality and commitment, active participation, tenacious support and seamless cooperation in the incessant efforts towards ensuring the effective conclusion of the eventful Summit. The 38th AU Summit took place at the AU Headquarters from 12 to 16 February 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ethiopia Remains One of Russia’s Key Partners in Africa - Valentina Matvienko
Feb 18, 2025 836
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA)-- Ethiopia is one of Russia’s most important and key partners in Africa, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Valentina Matvienko told ENA. The Speaker explained that close Russian-Ethiopian inter-parliamentary cooperation plays a crucial role in strengthening and developing political dialogue at various levels. She further highlighted that the two countries are actively collaborating on the platform of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Recall that Ethiopian delegation participated in the 10th anniversary events of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg last year to strengthening the role of parliaments in multilateralism for fair global development and security. Matvienko recalled a productive discussion during the event with the Speaker of Ethiopia’s House of Federation (HoF), Agegnehu Teshager. “I remember being deeply impressed by the brilliant statement by Agegnehu Teshager, the Speaker of HoF. It became evident to me that the Ethiopian-Russian inter-parliamentary dialogue is a discussion between like-minded people striving for a more perfect world order,” she underscored. Matvienko also elaborated on the multifaceted relations between the two countries, stating that, “Ethiopia is one of Russia’s most important and key partners in Africa.” She noted that Ethiopia was the first African state with which Russia established official diplomatic ties. "This year marks the 127th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. Over these years, we have built a rich history of cooperation based on respect, trust, and equal partnership," she said. The speaker further explained that high-level meetings continue to provide a powerful impetus to bilateral relations. Over the past two years, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has visited the Russian Federation twice: in July 2023, on an official visit during the Second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, and in October 2024, during the BRICS Summit in Kazan. Russia welcomes Ethiopia's successful full-fledged entry into BRICS during the Russian chairmanship in 2024. Ethiopia's participation in this new format of global governance is also anticipated to contribute to establishing strong and long-term political cooperation with other BRICS states, benefit Ethiopia's economic growth, and facilitate trade within the association and bilaterally with member states. Moreover, the trade and investment ties between the two countries are also promising. Currently, Russian companies are engaged in several projects in Ethiopia across various fields, including automotive, chemical, electrical, food industries, transport, information and telecommunications technologies, agriculture, and energy.
Social
Council of Ministers Passes Various Decisions
Feb 17, 2025 369
Addis Ababa, February 17, 2025 (ENA) – The Council of Ministers discussed on draft bills and passed decisions today. In its 42nd regular session it held today, the Council of Ministers discussed on various issues and passed decisions. First, the council discussed on the draft proclamation of Disaster Risk Management Commission. The proclamation will be instrumental in translating the reform system that the commission has launched in fostering Ethiopia's resilience to respond to disasters and develop culture of helping one another among Ethiopians to sustainably address humanitarian assistance through national capacity. The underlying principle of the proclamation is to provide humanitarian assistance to disaster hit citizens through national capacity, aligning it with sustainable development programs and prevalence of peace and address the economic, social and moral damage upon citizens. Having thoroughly discussed on the draft proclamation and enriched it with further inputs, the council unanimously approved and referred it to the House of People's Representatives.   Next, the Council discussed on draft regulations for the establishment of three defense institutions which are Ethiopian Defense University, Defense Specialized Referral Hospital Group and Defense Diagnostic Center and Defense Engineering Industrial Group. The regulation for the establishment of Ethiopian Defense University is intended to fulfill its objectives through the amendments of organizational structure and change of operations. The draft regulation on the establishments of the Defense Specialized Referral Hospital Group and Defense Diagnostic Center is to enable the centre fulfills the country’s medical needs, diagnostic and related services. The proclamation will also enable the centre to provide advanced medical services to which patients travel abroad in search of treatments. The council also discussed on the draft regulation for the establishment of Defense Engineering Industrial Group to determine its duties and responsibilities for the development of the country. The council had in depth discussions on the draft regulations, incorporated them with inputs unanimously approved the regulations to take effect starting from the date of publication on Negarit Gazette.
UN Sustainable Dev’t Solutions Network Africa Office Inaugurated
Feb 17, 2025 836
Addis Ababa, February 17, 2025 (ENA) -- United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network Africa office was inaugurated at the Addis Ababa University today. The main objective of the center, located in the premises of the university, is to develop a skilled workforce through diverse training programs and initiatives. It also seeks to participate in policy discussions and collaborative research to tackle critical issues related to the SDGs in Africa, it was learned. UN Sustainable Development Goals Solutions Network Head, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, said on the occasion Ethiopia's selection for this key continental role is its status as the African Union host city and its significant Pan-African history, along with its rich cultural and political heritage as a leader in sustainable development in Africa.   He also cited Addis Ababa University’s reputation for impactful research and collaboration with the African Union and international organizations. The head further noted the university's history of cultivating distinguished scholars and its commitment to promoting sustainable development initiatives across the continent. According to Professor Sachs, the youth in Ethiopia are eager and determined to foster transformative change within their country, laying the foundation for sustainable development and growth. On his part, Addis Ababa University Acting President Samuel Kifle emphasized the university's established track record in managing similar continental responsibilities in the past and voiced confidence in its capacity to effectively fulfill the demands of this new role.   The UN Sustainable Development Solutions (SDSN) unites innovative thinkers to collaboratively tackle challenges in sustainable development, leveraging diverse expertise for lasting social and environmental solutions. At the inauguration event government officials, including Finance Minister Ahmed Shide, Foreign Minister Gideon Timotiwos, and Planning and Development Minister Fitsum Assefa, along with other distinguished guests, were present.
Ethiopia Hosts Key Meeting on Tuberculosis Control in Africa
Feb 17, 2025 393
Addis Ababa, February 17, 2025 (ENA) A crucial meeting of National Tuberculosis (TB) Program Coordinators from the Southern and Eastern Africa Region began today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The three-day event marking the inaugural Annual Meeting of the Southern and Eastern Africa Regional Network for Tuberculosis (SEARN-TB) comes at a critical juncture in the global battle against tuberculosis (TB). Ethiopian State Minister of Health, Dereje Duguma, officially opened the meeting, underscoring the importance of the SEARN-TB network in strengthening regional collaboration and aligning TB control strategies. He emphasized the network’s crucial role in supporting operational research, which is essential for developing evidence-based approaches to TB prevention, control, and care. State Minister Dereje stressed the significance of sharing experiences and best practices among member countries, highlighting that this collective effort is key to eliminating TB across Africa and beyond. He expressed confidence that the network will amplify Africa’s voice in the global TB response. “This network represents a covenant, a commitment to harmonize strategies, share innovations, and ensure Africa’s voice is heard globally in the fight against TB,” said the State Minister. He acknowledged SEARN-TB’s progress since its launch in 2023, particularly the support from key partners. While recognizing achievements in TB control, he also pointed to ongoing challenges, including conflicts, migration, climate change, funding uncertainties, and the continued need for advancements in TB treatment research.   He urged member countries to renew their commitment to self-sufficiency by boosting domestic resource mobilization and ensuring the efficient use of available funds. He also emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships, engaging civil society organizations, and leveraging global health funding to maximize impact. State Minister Dereje called on participants to focus on three main areas during the discussions: sharing experiences and celebrating successes, fostering cross-border collaboration, and reviewing the network’s progress while planning its future direction. He highlighted Ethiopia’s success in transitioning out of the high-burden category for multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) as an example of progress despite ongoing challenges. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of regional collaboration to effectively address the cross-border nature of TB transmission. The State Minister reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to the fight against TB and expressed confidence that the collaborative efforts within the SEARN-TB network will accelerate the implementation of effective TB policies and strategies. He also underscored the network’s significant contribution to the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB and its role in driving innovation in TB diagnostics and treatment. The meeting is scheduled to conclude on February 19, 2025.
IGAD Spokesperson Pays Visit to Ethiopian News Agency, Praises for Its African-oriented Approach
Feb 16, 2025 1387
Addis Ababa, February 16, 2025 (ENA)—Spokesperson for the Executive Secretary of IGAD, Patience Nyange lauded Ethiopian News Agency for its efforts in promoting African perspective and catching up the digital transformation in the changing media landscape. On the margins of the 38thAU summit in Addis Ababa, the spokesperson has paid a visit to Ethiopian News Agency (ENA)—the sole news wire service with a cutting edge media facility that encompasses the state-of-the-art editing and recording equipment. Currently, ENA is establishing a digital transcontinental media platform called Pulse of Africa, aimed at serving as an African-focused media outlet. Following her visit, Nyange said the Pulse of Africa is a good example of digital advancement and it would contribute its fair share to tell the African story. “Africans are investing more in the digital transformation innovation that is happening around the world, and therefore we have not been left behind." According to her, the Pulse of Africa would play its own role in Africa's effort to tell the true stories of the continent, adding that as “we say African solutions will be driven from African solutions.” For her, Africa is a beautiful continent with beautiful stories that have to be promoted through its own and local perspectives. The Spokesperson also reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to collaborate with the Ethiopian News Agency and other media houses in the IGAD region through various ways. “We collaborate with the rest of the media houses and ensure that the journalists within the region are trained quite often. So we have training opportunities for them. We also have a number of short courses that we do within the region as well as reward journalists through the IGAD Media Awards,” she indicated.  
Economy
Horn of Africa Initiative Progressing Well:  Initiative Chair
Feb 18, 2025 167
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA) --- The Horn of Africa Initiative is being executed within various development projects that have the potential to yield positive outcomes for multiple countries, the Initiative current Chairman Ahmed Shide said. According to him, the focus of these projects is on fostering collaboration and mutual benefit among nations, with a strong emphasis on achieving sustainable development goals. By strategically investing in these initiatives, the aim is to not only drive economic growth but also strengthen diplomatic relations and promote regional integration, the chairman elaborated. The idea is also to implement initiatives in pastoral regions, including water wells, animal health care, and projects, to minimize disaster risks, he stated. In the context of community health, disease control centers would be established strategically at border checkpoints and airports.   These centers serve as vital hubs for early detection, monitoring, and prevention of the potential spread of infectious diseases across borders. He believes that such proactive measures are crucial in safeguarding public health and minimizing the risks associated with cross-border transmission of diseases. IGAD has played a crucial role in developing strategies for border regions, shaping policies to foster sustainable growth and address unique challenges faced by communities in these areas, Ahmed pointed out. He also elaborated on the fact that a mutual agreement has been successfully reached to enhance the capacity of development funds by welcoming a greater number of development partners into the collaboration. Furthermore, the chairman announced that successful negotiations have been made on development initiatives with US, UK, and Germany, agreeing on key aspects and cooperation among government representatives. The World Bank, African Development Bank, and European Union also provide financial and technical assistance to the initiative development projects. The initiative, established five years ago, initially involved five Horn of African countries and later added Sudan and South Sudan.
AfCFTA Secretary-General Urges African Nations to Accelerate Implementation of Established Rules
Feb 18, 2025 161
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA) --- AfCFTA Secretariat Secretary-General Wamkele Mene stressed on urged need of African countries to accelerate the implementation of agreed-upon rules to unlock markets and attract investment, particularly in the face of rising global trade protectionism. Speaking to ENA, the Secretary-General stated that progress has been made in the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) since the establishment of the Secretariat in Addis Ababa in 2020. Noting that 48 countries deposited their instruments of ratification, the Secretary-General said that trade has already been underway among 19 countries under AfCFTA rules. Mene appreciated the growing participation of the private sector and the completion of all necessary legal protocols of AfCFTA required by heads of state. “We are very happy with the progress we've made. We've concluded all of the protocols that were required by the leaders. From a legal foundation point of view, we have concluded all of the necessary legal protocols. We've made good progress. We've come a long way, but we have a long way to go,” Mene said. Despite the progress, Mene noted “the big challenge is the cost of infrastructure that supports trade. The deficit is estimated to be 150 billion dollars that constrains our ability to trade in larger volumes. Then, this poses a challenge to the cost of interconnectivity and lack of movement of persons around the continent. These are challenges that are external to the trade agreement, but they have an impact on the work that we do,” he pointed out. He added “However, I am optimistic that by working with African Development Bank, Afri-Exim Bank and other development finance institutions we will continue to make progress in this regard.” “We need to consolidate the rules that we've negotiated, the rules that open markets, and the rules that open markets for goods, for investment. On paper, we have a very good agreement.The next step is that our leaders should push for accelerated implementation of AfCTA at national and regional levels. That's the most important challenge that we face, given what is happening in the world with increased trade...protectionism, increased investment protectionism; we have to build a domestic market on the continent,” he elaborated He reaffirmed that the Secretariat's commitment to accelerating the implementation of AfCFTA protocols. He elaborated the progress on key issues such as tariff reduction, rules of origin for most traded products (with ongoing negotiations for the automotive and textile/clothing sectors), and the list of goods to be traded within Africa. “We will continue to implement the agreement. We have concluded all of the protocols that we were required to conclude. What we should expect is accelerated implementation,” he said. He mentioned a number of agreed upon pressing issues. “We have already agreed on the tariff reduction. There is a formula that was agreed to five years ago that's being implemented. On rules of origin, we have agreed on all of products that Africa trades, except to automotive sector and textiles and clothing. These two sectors are under negotiation on the rules of origin. And I'm sure that in due course, we will conclude these negotiations.” The Secretary-General commended Ethiopia for its recent progress in preparing to trade under the AfCFTA. “The government of Ethiopia was congratulated, deservedly on submitting the offer on trading in goods, which is a very good basis for Ethiopia to start trading with the rest of the continent, other regions. So this is something that was very much welcomed,” he added. Regarding trade in services, the offer was also presented and tabled to the Council of Ministers. So soon, on the services side, we will see progress. My view is that Ethiopia is well poised to start trading in goods in the very, very near future,” he said. Addressing the broader issue of movement of persons across the continent, Mene acknowledged that significant work remains. He pointed out that the protocol on the movement of persons has been ratified by only four countries, requiring need for greater commitment to facilitate trade through the movement of people. As regards movement of persons, we are still far behind as a continent, not just the AfCFTA, he stated.
Ethiopia Inks MoU with ATIDI to Support Renewable Energy Projects
Feb 18, 2025 359
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA)— Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance and Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATIDI), a leading pan-African trade and investment insurer. This milestone agreement is designed to accelerate Ethiopia’s transition to clean energy by attracting foreign investment into renewable energy projects through ATIDI’s Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF). The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration between Ethiopia and ATIDI, ensuring that Independent Power Producers (IPPs) or Public Private Partnerships can leverage RLSF, a liquidity support mechanism developed by ATIDI in partnership with KfW Development Bank and Norad. RLSF provides financial protection to IPPs/PPPs by availing and accelerating payments owed by state-owned utilities, addressing a key challenge in the energy sector by enhancing payment security and financial stability. In his key message, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide said “Through this partnership, Ethiopia aims to facilitate timely payments to developers, mitigate financial risks, strengthen the bankability of power purchase agreements (PPAs), and enhance the creditworthiness of EEP”. He further strengthened his message by stating the fact that these efforts will “create a more attractive investment environment for renewable energy projects”.   On his part, CEO of ATIDI, Manuel Moses conveyed a message saying, "We are honored to partner with the Government of Ethiopia and Ethiopian Electric Power to support the development of the country's renewable energy sector. Through our liquidity support, this collaboration will not only reduce financial risks but also attract more investment into Ethiopia’s energy infrastructure. We believe that this partnership will help accelerate the growth of Ethiopia's renewable energy capacity and contribute to the broader goal of sustainable development across the African continent." Ethiopia becomes the 11th ATIDI member state to sign the RLSF MoU joining Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia. Since its inception, guarantees worth USD 24.7 million have been approved under the RLSF portfolio; in turn facilitating investments totaling USD 373.1 million and the development of 181.95 MW of installed renewable energy capacity across Africa. In the first round allocation for Ethiopia solar and wind projects are lined up for the Regional Liquidity Support Facility coverage.
Africa Business Forum Concludes with Renewed Commitment to Expediting Regional Integration
Feb 18, 2025 406
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ECA) – Africa Business Forum 2025 concluded with a renewed commitment to regional integration, value chain activation, and industrialization. The Africa Business Forum, held at the Economic Commission for Africa’s Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, concluded with an invigorating discussion on the critical need to activate regional value chains to unlock Africa’s economic potential. The event brought together heads of state, policymakers, private sector leaders, and experts to address the key challenges and opportunities for Africa’s industrial development. In his closing remarks, Claver Gatete, Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), emphasized the importance of leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to foster regional value chains. “We must accelerate the implementation of the AfCFTA to establish these value chains, particularly in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and industrial sectors,” said Gatete. He also highlighted the need for collaboration among African nations to overcome the region’s high trade costs, which remain much higher than trade with external markets. “To build a competitive Africa, we need to reduce these barriers, improve infrastructure, and invest in value-added production,” the Executive Secretary of ECA added. The Forum underscored key initiatives and projects driving Africa's economic transformation. One such initiative is the Africa Electric Vehicle project, which links the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia. This project, highlighted by Gatete, showcases how building economic zones, improving transport infrastructure, and attracting private investors can unlock significant opportunities for sustainable development. Discussions also centered on the need for greater investment in Africa's industrial sectors. “Africa’s debt has reached 1.21 trillion USD, and we need to bring together debt partners from the Paris Club, non-Paris Club, and the private sector to address this issue of high indebtedness,” said Gatete. “The AfCFTA is an essential tool to drive down costs and improve Africa's competitiveness globally.” Throughout the day, the Forum hosted numerous insightful discussions, including a Presidential Dialogue with leaders like President Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, and Alexandre Barro Chambrier, Deputy Prime Minister of Gabon, who discussed the pressing need for pan-African cooperation to activate regional value chains.   Panels on financing, trade facilitation, and technological innovation also delved into practical solutions to bridge investment gaps and unlock Africa’s potential. Gatete concluded the event by calling on African governments and businesses to look inward and challenge external perceptions about African products. “We need to change the narratives about Africa and show we can make globally competitive final products. Products coming from Africa are neither fake nor unfinished—they are a testament to our capabilities and our future,” he remarked. The Forum ended with a renewed commitment to regional integration, value chain activation, and industrialization. The collaborative spirit of the Forum signals a strong future for Africa’s trade and industrial development as the continent works to transform its economic landscape through AfCFTA and other strategic partnerships.
Videos
Technology
Paris AI Summit Kicks off This Week, Draws World leaders & Tech Entrepreneurs
Feb 10, 2025 992
Addis Ababa, February 10, 2025 (ENA)—Starting from the early days of this week, France will be the centre of the artificial intelligence (AI) debate, with the official beginning of the third edition of the AI Action Summit. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is co-hosting the summit with French President Emmanuel Macron, in an effort to involve more global actors in AI development. The geopolitics of artificial intelligence will be in focus at this major summit in Paris where world leaders, technology executives and experts will try to hammer out agreements on guiding the development of the rapidly advancing technology, it was reported. They are also anticipated to discuss ways of safely embracing artificial intelligence at a time of mounting resistance to heavy-handed red tape that businesses say stifles innovation. It’s the latest in a series of global dialogues around AI governance with two previous editions held in the UK in 2023, and a smaller gathering in Seoul, South Korea, last year.   It also comes amid the meteoric rise in popularity of the low-cost Chinese foundational model DeepSeek, which has shaken up the industry. The Paris Summit aims to achieve three major objectives: Provide access to independent, safe and reliable AI to a wide range of users; develop AI that is more environmentally friendly; and ensure global governance of artificial intelligence that is both effective and inclusive. The Summit will focus on five major themes, including public service AI, future of work, innovation and culture, trust in AI, and global governance of AI. The summit is expected to announce a key outcome—a foundation that will look at AI in the public interest to cater to the needs of the Global South.
Mastercard Aims to Strengthen Commitment to Uganda with New office in Kampala
Feb 6, 2025 1844
Addis Ababa, February 6, 2025 (ENA) -- Mastercard has announced the opening of its first office in Uganda, marking a significant milestone in its expansion across East Africa. This strategic move underscores Mastercard's dedication to fostering financial inclusion and accelerating digital transformation in the region. With Uganda’s economy projected to grow at 6.2 percent by 2025, the country is poised for sustained expansion. Mastercard’s physical presence in Kampala aims to enable deeper collaboration with local stakeholders to deliver tailored solutions that address the unique needs of Ugandan consumers and businesses, contributing to this growth. Mastercard’s efforts align with the government's ‘Digital Uganda Vision,’ a transformative initiative to harness digital technologies for national development. As part of this commitment, Mastercard and the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance have signed an MoU to accelerate the adoption of digital solutions that enhance government services and drive financial inclusion. Last year, in compliance with the National Payment Systems Act 2020, Mastercard was granted a Payment System Operator (PSO) License by the Bank of Uganda. This license endows Mastercard to provide essential services such as settlement and clearing operations within Uganda, further enabling the company to act as a payment system operator for domestic transactions. The opening of the Kampala office is part of Mastercard's broader strategy to expand its footprint across Africa, with existing offices in Cairo, Casablanca, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, Port Louis, and Accra.
Ethiopia Making Rapid Progress in Building Inclusive Digital Infrastructure, Economy: DPM Temesgen
Jan 27, 2025 3312
Addis Ababa, January 27, 2025 (ENA)—Through the implementation of Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy, Ethiopia has reached critical stage to build inclusive digital economy and improve government services, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh stated. Speaking at the official opening of an exhibition and workshop on Ethiopia's digital transformation journey at the Science Museum, Temesgen highlighted the country's ongoing efforts in technological advancements. Since its launch, Digital Ethiopia Strategy has laid a strong foundation for economic growth and digital transformation, the deputy prime minister said. Starting from 2012 Ethiopian fiscal year, Ethiopia has been implementing the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy to seize the opportunities and address the challenges posed by technological growth. The deputy prime Minister emphasized that the government's expansion of critical infrastructure is essential to fostering a digital economy that ensures equitable access for all Ethiopians. He also pointed out the implementation of new legal and operational frameworks that have significantly transformed the digitalization of government services, enabling faster and more efficient services for citizens.   Acknowledging the private sector's proactive role in expanding data centers and introducing new digital services, DPM Temesgen noted the remarkable growth of digital financial services, payments, and electronic commerce during the strategy’s implementation. Temesgen underscored the critical foundational activities that have been carried out to build a robust digital economy. Regarding key digital infrastructures identified in the Digital Ethiopia Strategy, he cited the digital national identity card, implemented since 2014 Ethiopian fiscal year, as one of the most important steps. To this effect, the deputy prime minister revealed that over 1,000 registration sites have been established across the country in recent years, where more than 11.5 million citizens have been successfully registered. The government has established digital transformation council to facilitate the integrated transition of digital transformation ensuring its security, efficiency, citizens’ benefits, protect wastage and fosters rapid progress.   DPM Temesgen highlighted the development of Digital Government Strategy and the Electronic Commerce Strategy to further accelerate the digital transformation. These strategies, which will soon be approved and implemented, are expected to play a pivotal role in improving service delivery, modernizing business practices, and creating a more inclusive digital society. Recalling the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy is nearing to end, the deputy prime minister noted that preparations are already underway for the development of the Digital Ethiopia 2030 Strategy.
Heads of State, Business Leaders Gather in Dar es Salaam for Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit
Jan 27, 2025 2438
Addis Ababa, January 27, 2025 (ENA)—African heads of state, business leaders, and development partners have converged today in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit. They are anticipated to commit to ambitious reforms and actions to expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. Mission 300 is an unprecedented collaboration between the African Development Bank, the World Bank Group, and global partners to address Africa’s electricity access gap using new technology and innovative financing. Nearly 600 million Africans lack electricity, which is crucial for development and job creation, it was learned. Several heads of state and government from Africa are joining more than 1,000 other participants—with strong representation from the private sector—at the January 27-28 summit. Together, they will chart Africa’s course toward universal access to energy. This week’s summit is expected to yield two significant outcomes: the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, outlining commitments and practical actions from African governments to reform the energy sector, and the first set of National Energy Compacts, which will serve as blueprints with country-specific targets and timelines for implementation of critical reforms. In the first phase, 12 countries will present their energy compacts: Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia. Other African countries are expected to develop their compacts in subsequent phases. The partnerships forged and commitments made by the continent’s leaders and changemakers gathering in Dar es Salaam this week will shape the continent’s journey toward achieving universal energy access, transforming millions of lives, and driving sustainable development and job creation
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Environment
Carbon Market Strategy to Position Nation Achieve Low-Emission Energy Development Goals
Feb 5, 2025 1839
Addis Ababa, February 5, 2025 (ENA) - Ministry of Planning and Development has confirmed that the National Carbon Market Strategy (NCMS) would position Ethiopia for achieving long-term low-emission energy development goals. International and local stakeholders held a consultation meeting that aimed to provide an update on the strategy’s progress, presenting a zero draft of the NCMS, which outlines its objectives, scope, and significance for relevant sectors and stakeholders. Speaking at a meeting on the development of Ethiopia’s NCMS, State Minister of Planning and Development Seyoum Mekonen highlighted that the strategy will position the country to meet its goals. The State Minister emphasized that NCMS would play a pivotal role in enabling Ethiopia to meet its long-term low-emission energy development targets. He noted that the strategy is designed to guide Ethiopia's effective participation in both international and domestic carbon markets, in line with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. It will build upon existing initiatives, including the Green Legacy Initiative, the Nationally Determined Contributions, the 10-Year Program for Development, and the Climate-Resilient Green Economy Strategy. It will also align with sectoral policies such as those for non-motorized transport, electrification programs, biogas, clean cooking, and irrigation. Furthermore, the strategy will draw on Ethiopia’s experience with carbon market mechanisms, including the Clean Development Mechanism, voluntary carbon market programs, and bilateral cooperation under the Joint Crediting Mechanism. According to the state minister, these combined efforts will position Ethiopia to achieve its Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy targets. The meeting also aimed to raise awareness and foster understanding among participants about the opportunities and challenges of participating in global carbon markets and focus was placed on Article 6 mechanisms of the Paris Agreement and their potential benefits for Ethiopia. The session further emphasized the need for collaboration among key stakeholders, led by the Ministry of Planning and Development, in partnership with other relevant ministries and experts, to ensure a broad and inclusive approach to the strategy’s development. Urban Benywanira, an expert on Article 6 and carbon pricing from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centre for East and Southern Africa, on his part praised Ethiopia's efforts in developing the NCMS. He described the initiative as timely and a positive step forward. Benywanira expressed hope that once the strategy is finalized and adopted, Ethiopia will be able to guide entities wishing to participate in Article 6 mechanisms, with a particular focus on institutional arrangements. Stephan Noch, Managing Director of Perspectives Climate Group, also shared insights during the consultation.   His firm, which specializes in international climate policy and finance, has been working in Ethiopia for 15 years, helping to define the country's national targets for the Paris Agreement and mobilizing finance for solar water pumping projects. Noch also highlighted that Perspectives Climate Group is supporting the Ministry of Planning and Development in structuring the national carbon market, with support from the UN Climate Secretariat.
Africa Poised to Lead Global Green Industrialization with Green Hydrogen Dev’t
Jan 25, 2025 2927
Addis Ababa, January 25, 2025 (ENA)—Africa is set to lead in global green hydrogen development with 41 projects expected to enter development over the next five years. According to a new report published by the Energy Industries Council (EIC), Africa is set to become a key player in the global green hydrogen market. However, the EIC, the world-leading trade association and purveyor of data, insights, and events, warns that despite its promise, the hydrogen sector in Africa faces serious challenges. The bottlenecks in this sphere include securing offtake agreements, establishing regulatory frameworks, and building robust infrastructure. The Africa OPEX Report 2025 reveals that North African countries are leading the efforts, with their abundance of year-round sunshine providing ample opportunities for investments in green hydrogen production and export infrastructure. The report – written by Aqilah Shahruddin, an EIC analyst for operational assets and decommissioning – provides a comprehensive analysis of Africa’s energy sector, covering renewable energy projects, carbon capture, energy storage, and traditional energy sectors such as oil, gas, and thermal power. Africa offers fertile ground for scaling the production of green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources like solar and wind, as it continues to leverage its abundant resources and low production costs. According to the report, 41 hydrogen projects are expected to enter development between now and 2030. Sub-Saharan Africa is also developing green hydrogen capabilities, with countries like Namibia leading with large-scale projects. Despite the massive potential, the report identifies several challenges that need to be addressed to fully realize Africa’s green hydrogen ambitions, including the need for major infrastructure investments — such as pipelines, ports, and export facilities — and the development of clear policy frameworks and regulatory support to attract investments. The upfront costs of green hydrogen projects call for international cooperation and financing initiatives, the report said. Europe’s REPowerEU Plan, designed to reduce the continent’s dependence on Russian gas and which aims to import 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen every year from Africa, is a sign that efforts are already in place. However, the report notes that more targeted funding and collaboration will be key to scaling up hydrogen production in Africa. Rebecca Groundwater, EIC’s Head of External Affairs, emphasizes the importance of global market exploration for supply chain companies, including Africa. She highlights the need for supportive regulatory and financing conditions to unlock Africa’s hydrogen and cleantech potential, advocating for international collaboration to address limited capital and open new financing channels. The green hydrogen sector is closely tied to Africa’s broader renewable energy growth. The report notes that 61.1 GW of renewable energy capacity is currently operational across the continent, with significant investments in solar and wind projects. South Africa leads in solar capacity, with 59 operational solar farms, it was indicated. But the report says that Africa will need to invest in power storage in tandem with production. Africa’s energy storage capacity has grown from 180 MW in 1979 to 4.2 GW in 2023, with South Africa contributing 3.6 GW. The sector, however, faces significant challenges due to a lack of clear regulations.
IGAD Stresses Need for Importance of Accurate Climate information in Decision-Making
Jan 22, 2025 3156
Addis Ababa, January 22, 2025 (ENA)— IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary Mohamed Abdi Ware, remarked at the official release of ICPAC’s seasonal climate forecast for March to May (MAM) 2025, that accurate climate information is extremely important in decision-making. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) has officially released the seasonal climate forecast for March to May (MAM) 2025 on Tuseday, predicting below-normal rainfall across much of the Greater Horn of Africa. The forecast was unveiled at the 69th Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF69), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, highlighting the urgent need for anticipatory action and planning by policymakers and local communities. The March to May season is a crucial period for the equatorial regions of the Greater Horn of Africa, contributing up to 60 percent of annual rainfall in many areas. However, the latest forecast indicates a high likelihood of below-average rainfall in Somalia, eastern and northern Kenya, southern and northeastern Ethiopia, Djibouti, coastal Eritrea, western South Sudan, southern and western Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and northwestern Tanzania. Wetter-than-normal conditions are expected in parts of Tanzania, eastern Uganda, and western Ethiopia. IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary Mohamed Abdi Ware stressed the importance of accurate climate information in decision-making. "It is essential to provide timely and actionable information to policymakers, enabling them to make anticipatory decisions that will have a meaningful impact on people's lives in the face of climate uncertainty," he said. Dr. Abdi Fidar, Officer-in-Charge at ICPAC, emphasized the need for effective communication, particularly with farmers and pastoral communities. "This information must be disseminated widely, especially to subsistence farmers and pastoralists, so they can make informed decisions about their livelihoods." Fetene Teshome, Director General of the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI), underscored the role of GHACOF in bringing together climate scientists and user communities to assess past trends and future predictions. "GHACOF 69 provides a platform for climate experts and stakeholders from key sectors to collaborate on climate risk management," he said. The seasonal outlook also suggests that temperatures will likely be warmer than normal across much of the region, with the highest probabilities in Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and northern Somalia. These elevated temperatures, combined with below-normal rainfall, are expected to have significant impacts on agriculture, water resources, and public health. Stakeholders are urged to take proactive measures to mitigate the potential impacts of the anticipated drought conditions, particularly for vulnerable populations such as women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Dr. Fidar reiterated the importance of regional cooperation, stating that platforms like GHACOF are vital for building a shared understanding of climate risks and fostering collective action. In closing, Mohamed Abdi Ware highlighted the need for holistic approaches to address the interconnected challenges of climate change and conflict. "Collaboration is key to ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for all," he emphasized. The GHACOF69 forum, held from January 20-21, 2025, brought together national meteorological and hydrological services, development partners, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing climate resilience in the region.
Most Parts of Greater Horn Africa Expected to Receive Below-Normal Rainfall, ICPAC Predicts
Jan 21, 2025 3224
Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025 (ENA) ---- The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) has released its seasonal climate forecast for March to May (MAM) 2025, indicating that most parts of the Greater Horn of Africa are likely to experience below-normal rainfall. The forecast is particularly significant as the MAM season contributes up to 60 percent of the annual rainfall in many areas of the region, making it a crucial period for agricultural and water resources. According to ICPAC, much of Somalia, eastern and northern Kenya, southern and north-eastern Ethiopia, Djibouti, coastal Eritrea, western South Sudan, southern and western Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and north-western Tanzania are expected to receive below-average rainfall. Additionally, the cross-border areas of Ethiopia-Kenya-Somalia, north-eastern Ethiopia, southern Eritrea, and parts of south-western South Sudan have an enhanced likelihood of below-normal conditions. While the majority of the region is expected to experience dry conditions, wetter-than-normal conditions are anticipated in most parts of Tanzania, eastern Uganda, eastern South Sudan, and western Ethiopia. Furthermore, there is a high probability that seasonal rainfall will exceed 200 mm in south-western Ethiopia, western Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania. In terms of temperature, the forecast suggests a higher likelihood of warmer-than-normal conditions across most parts of the Greater Horn of Africa, with Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, northern Somalia, and northern Kenya facing the highest probabilities of experiencing elevated temperatures. The onset of rainfall is expected to be early to normal in most parts of the region, except for localized areas in central Kenya, southern Ethiopia, and central Somalia, where a delayed start is likely. The projected climatic conditions are likely to have significant socio-economic impacts, particularly on vulnerable populations, with women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities expected to be the most affected. ICPAC has called upon governments and stakeholders to take proactive measures to mitigate the anticipated adverse effects and ensure that the most at-risk communities are adequately supported. Dr. Abdi Fidar, the Officer-in-Charge at ICPAC, noted that “As the IGAD region faces increasing climate variability and extremes—droughts, floods, and rising temperatures—platforms like GHACOFs are essential for building a shared understanding of risks and fostering collaboration to mitigate their impacts.” “The theme of this forum, Climate Services for Closing the Early Warning Gap Together, underscores the critical role of actionable, timely, and accurate climate information in bridging gaps in preparedness and response,” he added.
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Ethiopian Diaspora Demand Egypt to Change Counterproductive Posture on GERD
Apr 4, 2023 100219
Addis Ababa April 4/2023 (ENA) Ethiopians in the Diaspora have called on Egypt to change its counterproductive posture and find mutually beneficial agreements on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). In a statement the diaspora issued yesterday, they noted that Ethiopia is the main source of the Nile by contributing 86 percent of the water to the Nile basin states while utilizing less than 1 percent of the potential for hydroelectric power. Ethiopians are currently building the GERD on the Blue Nile that is financed entirely by Ethiopians and is a crucial project for the country's development as it will provide clean, renewable energy and lift millions out of poverty. About 65 percent of the 122 million of Ethiopia's population have no access to any form of electricity. The much-needed electricity will facilitate economic growth for Ethiopia and the region, the statement elaborated. The dam will promote regional cooperation and integration while offering opportunity for eleven countries of the Nile Basin to work together to manage the river's resources more efficiently and effectively, it added. The GERD is being built with the highest environmental and technical standards to achieve the objectives of the national electrification program and the execution of Ethiopia’s Climate-Resilient Green Economy Strategy. According to the statement, Ethiopia has provided scientific evidence and expert testimonies that GERD will not significantly affect the flow of water downstream, and provided compelling arguments for the need for equitable use of the Nile's resources by all countries in the region. The diaspora further said they understand that the GERD has raised concerns in Egypt about the downstream effects on the Nile's flow and water availability since Egyptians have been misinformed about the GERD for many years. But on the contrary, the dam will provide several benefits to Egypt and Sudan, including increased water flow during dry seasons and decreased flooding events. “We want to assure Egyptians that Ethiopians are committed to fair and equitable use of the Nile's waters without harming our downstream neighbors. We recognize that the Nile River is a shared resource, and we support finding a mutually beneficial solution.” As Ethiopians in the Diaspora, we reiterate our support for fair and equitable use of the Nile River and call on the Egyptian people and Egyptian Diaspora to question the misinformation about the GERD in Egypt's mainstream media and embrace the spirit of friendship and cooperation by understanding that the GERD is a project of great national importance to Ethiopians that will benefit Egyptians by ensuring a reliable and predictable supply of water, that Ethiopians have the right to use their water resources for the development of its people and economy, in accordance with the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization without causing significant harm. Efforts to destabilize Ethiopia by the regime in Egypt, will indeed affect the historical and diplomatic relations dating back to several thousand years, the long-term interest of the Egyptian people and make Ethiopians less trusting in cooperating on the GERD and future hydropower projects on the Nile, they warned. The diaspora groups urged Egyptian leaders to engage in constructive dialogue with the leaders of Ethiopia regarding the GERD and steer away from their counterproductive posture of calling for a “binding agreement” on the GERD filling and the subsequent operations as an imposing instrument on water sharing that Ethiopians will never accept. The GERD can be a source of cooperation and collaboration between our two countries rather than a source of conflict, they underscored. "Ethiopians believe that, through dialogue and understanding, peaceful and equitable agreements that benefit all parties involved can be realized to build a brighter future for all people in the Nile basin. Belligerent positions by Egyptian leaders stating ‘all options are open’ are contrary to the spirit of the 2015 Declaration of Principles signed by Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt." According to the statement, such postures will surely harm Egypt's long-term interest and impede trustful cooperation with the Ethiopian people and government. They asked Arab League and its member states to refrain from interfering in the issue of the GERD, which is the sole concern of the three riparian countries (Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt) and their shared regional organization (the African Union), which is mediating the talks to find ‘African Solutions to African Problems.’ The issues remaining on the table at the trilateral negotiations under the auspices of the African Union are being narrowed to a handful of critical matters on equity and justice, on which the Arab league nations have no business or legal right to be involved.
Africa’s Sustainable Growth Hinges on Science, Technology and Innovation: Experts
Mar 3, 2023 95359
Addis Ababa March 3/2023/ENA/ Achieving the ambitious targets of the 2030 and 2063 Agendas of Africa requires leveraging the power of science, technology, and innovation (STI), according to experts. A press release issued by the ECA stated experts at the Ninth African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development have emphasized the crucial role of STI as a key driver and enabler for ensuring economic growth, improving well-being, mitigating the effects of climate change, and safeguarding the environment. They also underscored the need to strengthen national and regional STI ecosystems by fostering innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, and investing in research and development. By doing so, the experts said that Africa can harness the potential of STI to accelerate its socio-economic progress and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and the African Union's Agenda by 2063. The session, held on 2 March 2023, builds on the recommendations of the Fifth African Science, Technology, and Innovation Forum, which accentuates the central role of STI and digitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for the necessary infrastructures for the development of STI, plans, and policies that are action-oriented towards strengthening its full implantation. The experts highlighted that despite advances in STI, significant gaps remain in bridging the scientific and technological divide between developed countries and Africa. The highly uneven global distribution of scientific capacity and access to knowledge threatens to derail the goal of leaving no one behind, which is the central and transformative promise of Agenda 2030. “We need a clear political will from governments to ensure science, technology, and innovation is a reality. By doing so our education systems will be capacitated to deliver knowledge that is vital to solving Africa’s sustainability challenges,” Niger Higher Education and Research Minister Mamoudou Djibo said. The strategy includes the establishment of universities as centers for excellence and investments in education, technical competencies, and training in the fields of science, technology, research, and innovation. These initiatives are crucial in accelerating progress towards achieving global goals. However, in order to fully leverage the potential of STI, significant investments in research and development are required. National systems also need to be strengthened, Namibia Information and Communication Technologies Deputy Minister Emma Theophilus, stated adding that “strengthening our national systems for STI is a key game changer for rapid structural transformation in Africa. Leveraging the digital transformation can achieve a stronger, smarter, and more inclusive recovery.” Emerging evidence suggests that an STI and digital Africa can be a springboard to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs and fulfill the aspirations of Agenda 2063.
Feature Article
A Brief Interview with Russia’s Federation Council speaker Matvienko
Feb 18, 2025 34
Addis Ababa, February 18, 2025 (ENA)—Valentina Matvienko, the Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, is on an official visit to Ethiopia from February 18 to 20, 2025. In an exclusive interview with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA,) Matvienko shared her view on the historical and contemporary relations between Russia and Ethiopia as well as the significance of the visit to Ethiopia. Below is the full interview conducted with Matvienko ENA : Good afternoon, Ms. Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko. First of all, I would like to know what importance of Russian-Ethiopian inter-parliamentary cooperation will be in terms of strengthening the political institutions of the two countries? Good afternoon! I am glad to answer your questions. For some reason you are asking a question in the future tense - “what importance will be?” But in reality close Russian-Ethiopian inter-parliamentary cooperation has already played and is playing an important role in strengthening and developing political dialogue at various levels. Our parliamentary ties are a powerful resource that consolidates the leaders’ agreements and creates a legislative framework for their implementation, which is, of course, facilitated by regular contacts between parliamentarians. A truly significant event was the signing in 2023 of the Memorandum on cooperation between the upper houses of our parliaments. By the way, they are called alike – the House of Federation. Parliamentary friendship groups also make a great contribution to strengthening bilateral cooperation. We are actively working on the platform of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and last year the Ethiopian delegation took part in the events of the 10th anniversary BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg. The main topic of the discussion was the role of parliaments in strengthening multilateralism for a fair and global development and security. I remember that I was deeply impressed by the brilliant statement of the Chairperson of the House of Federation of Ethiopia H.E. Agegnehu Teshager. Then it became obvious to me that the Ethiopian-Russian inter-parliamentary dialogue is a discussion between like-minded people striving for a more perfect world order. I am sure that we need to move forward, exchange experience in the field of legislative activity, and speed up developing of a joint actions’ plan for the near future. We are also planning to enhance interregional cooperation, which, from our point of view, has a significant potential. ENA - Indeed, the Russian-Ethiopian dialogue has acquired a large-scale character recently. How would you assess the current level of relations between Russia and Ethiopia? Relations between our two countries are now at a very high level. Ethiopia is one of the Russia’s most important and key partners in Africa, the first state on the African continent with which we have established official diplomatic contacts. This year we mark the 127th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. Over these years, a rich history of cooperation based on respect, trust and equal partnership has been created. At the same time, the ties between our peoples, as I believe you know, have a much longer history of friendship. Ethiopian land is the birthplace of Abram Petrovich Gannibal, the great-great-grandfather of the great Russian poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin. The genius of Pushkin is our common heritage, which we greatly value and are proud of. And, taking this opportunity, I would like to thank the Ethiopians for attention they pay to preserving the memory of the poet, who has become one of the symbols of the unity of our countries. You should know that we in Russia see and appreciate this. The uniqueness of Ethiopia is that it is the only African country that has never been colonized. At the same time, it had to defend its independence more than once. And I am pleased to note that at the end of the 19th century it was the Russian Cossacks who supported Ethiopia in the fight against Italian invaders. In the 20th century, our peoples faced with a difficult test. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory over fascism, which is the most important milestone in the history of mankind, an event that determined the fate of peoples for many generations to come. Our countries have made an invaluable contribution to the common fight against this evil. Currently, high-level meetings certainly give a powerful impetus to bilateral relations. Over the past two years, Prime Minister of Ethiopia Dr. Abiy Ahmed has visited the Russian Federation twice: in July 2023, on an official visit conjuncted with the Second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, and in October 2024, he took an active part in the BRICS Summit in Kazan. During both visits, Dr. Abiy Ahmed had detailed negotiations with the President of the Russian Federation H.E. Vladimir Putin. I say it is a good manifestation of the existing close approaches of our states in international affairs. Russia and Ethiopia have always fought together against colonialism and defended the freedom of African peoples. And today both countries actively advocate for the creation of a fair, polycentric world order. We are united by a common understanding that a system of international relations that ignores the interests of entire countries and regions must become a thing of the past. The new world order must be based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, justice, and the freedom of each state to independently choose its own path of development, its own destiny without external interference. Moscow and Addis Ababa actively oppose any illegal restrictions, sanctions, or bans. Russia is grateful to our Ethiopian friends for their desire to take into account our country’s opinion on sensitive issues on the international agenda. In this regard, I would like to express gratitude to our Ethiopian partners for supporting Russian initiatives at the UN aimed at combating the glorification of Nazism, preventing the militarization of space, ensuring international information security, etc. We especially highly appreciate Addis Ababa’s balanced approach to the situation in Ukraine. We certainly welcome the successful full-fledged entry of Ethiopia into BRICS during the Russian chairmanship in the association in 2024. I am sure that your country’s participation in a fundamentally new format of global governance will continue to contribute to the establishment of strong and long-term political cooperation with other BRICS states, benefit the economic growth of Ethiopia, and facilitate trade both within the association and in a bilateral format with the member states. Over the years, ties between our states have only become stronger, and I see our main task as supporting this trend in all areas. With this in mind, we are visiting Addis Ababa with a very representative delegation. I am sure our visit will be fruitful. What measures are being taken to further strengthen relations between Russia and Ethiopia in the areas of trade and investment to fully use their potential? The progressive development of political relations between states must, of course, be based on a strong economic basis. I know that Ethiopians remember and appreciate the enormous contribution of our country – then the USSR – to the joint realization of major infrastructure projects, the construction of industrial enterprises, and energy facilities. Soviet geologists discovered deposits of various minerals. We helped you in scientific crop production and the creation of livestock farms. Military and technical cooperation was also actively developing. More than 20 thousand Ethiopian citizens were educated in the Soviet Union, 5 thousand specialists received professional training. Moscow also helped to overcome the consequences of a protracted drought and famine in the mid-1980s. This positive experience allows us today to successfully develop ties, despite to any external pressure. Currently, Russian companies are working on a number of promising projects in Ethiopia in various fields, including automotive, chemical, electrical, food industries, transport, information and telecommunications technologies, and of course, agriculture, and energy. Good prospects for cooperation are opening up in the field of use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. For many years, successful cooperation has continued between the Russian Red Cross and the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia. These are the real areas where we provide mutually beneficial partnerships. I'm convinced that it will only gain momentum. In this regard, I would like to mention the Intergovernmental Russian-Ethiopian Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and Trade, which is the driving mechanism for the entire complex of trade, economic and investment interaction. We plan to hold its next meeting this year in St. Petersburg. The preparation for this serious event explains, among other things, the representative character of the current Russian delegation, which includes federal ministers, deputy ministers, as well as heads of large Russian state corporations. They will have separate meetings with their Ethiopian colleagues to discuss specific steps for realizing new projects. I would like to note that our trade and economic cooperation seamlessly supplements cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian field. Every year we provide 100 scholarships for Ethiopian students to study at Russian universities. Let me remind you that the traditional Days of Russia in Ethiopia were successfully held in Addis Ababa in September, 2024, which became a resonant event in the cultural life of the Ethiopian capital. At the same time, I am sure that much remains to be done to ensure that the entire gigantic potential of Russian-Ethiopian friendship will be realized for the benefit of our peoples. END
Ethiopian News Agency
2023