Addis Ababa, September 5, 2026 (ENA)—Ethiopia’s quest for sovereign access to the sea is inseparable to the nation's long-term survival and holds the potential to foster mutual benefits across the Red Sea region, Education Minister Professor Berhanu Nega told ENA. A leading figure in Ethiopia’s opposition politics, Berhanu said Ethiopia’s quest for sea access is logical, historical, demographic, economic, and fundamentally linked to the country’s security and survival. Professor Berhanu said Ethiopia’s pursuit of access to the Red Sea is not a temporary issue that can simply be delayed or ignored, given the country’s rapidly growing population and expanding economic needs. “You cannot have 130 million people sitting here without access to the sea at a time when sea access is very important for security as well as trade,” he said.   Professor Berhanu further noted that Ethiopia’s demographic realities make the pursuit of sea access an inevitable national imperative. Attempts to prevent or indefinitely delay it, he argued, cannot remove the underlying economic, demographic, and strategic realities driving the country’s demand. He stressed that Ethiopia’s quest should be pursued on the basis of mutual benefit, allowing Ethiopia and neighboring countries to harness the Red Sea’s potential for greater trade, security, connectivity, and shared prosperity. “It is better if we do this peacefully, and not only peacefully but for mutual benefit, so that all of us can benefit from this,” Berhanu said. He emphasized that sea access is closely tied to Ethiopia’s long-term survival and development, noting that countries such as Ethiopia naturally require maritime access for trade and security. “This is something that is very much linked to their survival. They are not going to let it easily slide,” he said. Berhanu also argued that Ethiopia’s current landlocked status should be understood in its historical context.   He said Ethiopia previously had access to the sea but lost it under successive governments, describing the loss as the result of decisions and developments that failed to safeguard the country’s long-term national interests. For Berhanu, the issue is therefore not simply about access to a port or a stretch of coastline, but about Ethiopia’s long-term economic future, national security, demographic realities, and its place in the wider Red Sea region. Describing Ethiopia's loss of direct sea access as a grave historical mistake by previous governments, the minister maintained that the current status quo cannot persist forever. While reiterating Ethiopia’s commitment to peaceful negotiations, he warned that the issue will endure across generations until resolved. “If a mutually acceptable arrangement is not reached, future generations will not sit idle and allow their survival to be threatened,” he concluded.

Addis Ababa, September 5, 2026 (ENA)—Ethiopia has legitimate grounds to seek redress for historical economic losses, foregone development opportunities and longstanding inequities in Abay (Nile) River utilization, former State Minister for Irrigation Development, Birhanu Lenjiso said. Speaking to ENA, Birhanu, co-founder and former Deputy Director of the East African Policy Research Institute (EAPRI), said the issue must be assessed through a new and more equitable framework, as the previous Nile status quo is coming to an end. He outlined a framework that takes into account historical asymmetries, opportunity costs, benefit-sharing mechanisms, and the economic and environmental value of sustaining the Nile ecosystem. Explaining the stark disparity, Birhanu noted: “Egypt has been using 85 percent without contributing anything, while Ethiopia uses nothing despite contributing 85 percent of the Nile flow.”   As the source of the vast majority of the Nile River’s flow, primarily through the Abay (Blue Nile), Ethiopia devoted for equitable and reasonable utilization. In that regard, scholars and water experts argue that Ethiopia has legitimate grounds to seek redress for historical economic losses and foregone development opportunities resulting from restrictions on its use of the Nile. Birhanu, author of “water: Ethiopia’s Gateway to Prosperity,” says the stark gap between Ethiopia’s enormous contribution to the Nile and its historically limited use of its waters raises fundamental questions of equity. “Ethiopia has contributed enormously to the Nile system while bearing substantial opportunity costs and receiving disproportionately limited benefits,” Birhanu said. He added that: “That historical imbalance provides a legitimate basis for discussing redress and, where appropriate, compensation.” However, he stressed that the issue extends beyond financial claims for past losses.   “It should not be simplified merely to unfair water use in the past or calculating damages,” he said. “It is equally about the future, rainfall, forests, watershed management, biodiversity restoration, and the opportunity cost Ethiopia incurs by allowing a major share of its water resources to flow downstream without corresponding developmental benefits.” He called on downstream nations to acknowledge the ecological investments that maintain the river. Programs like Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative protect basin-wide ecosystems, raising questions about how the financial burden of sustaining these environmental services should be shared, Biruhanu underscored. Similarly, Birhanu argued that infrastructure like the GERD should be evaluated by its overall strategic benefits, such as regional electricity generation, flow regulation, and lower evaporation rates, rather than strictly by reservoir size.   “The fundamental question should not be limited to how many cubic meters of water each country receives,” Birhanu said. “We should also ask what value is generated from the water and how that value can be shared equitably.” Rather than relying solely on direct financial reparations, Birhanu proposed a framework centered on cross-border investment and development cooperation. Downstream nations could invest in Ethiopia’s groundwater development or irrigation efficiency to meet local needs while easing pressure on surface flows, he noted. He highlighted hydropower as a key path toward integration, given that power generation uses water non-consumptively, allowing flows to continue downstream uninterrupted. To realize this, he called for joint scientific, environmental, and economic studies across all Nile Basin states. He stressed that giving value to the concept is more important than a narrow cubic-metre approach. “The future of Nile cooperation should be based not simply on dividing water volumes, but on equitably sharing the benefits generated by the entire river system,” Birhanu stated.

ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 4, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia’s livestock export earnings reached 128.3 million USD in the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year, up from approximately 95 million USD in previous years, marking an increase of more than 35 percent in just one year, according to the Livestock Development Institute. Speaking at a linkage negotiation and contract-signing forum, Livestock Development Institute Director General Asrat Tera highlighted the growth but said the country could raise earnings to at least 1 billion USD. He noted that Ethiopia’s 12 export abattoirs are currently operating at only 10 percent of their combined production capacity of 200,000 metric tons. To capitalize on this potential, the government aims to raise abattoir capacity utilization to 50 percent in the 2019 Ethiopian fiscal year. The target includes exporting about 46,000 metric tons of meat and meat products to generate more than 250 million USD in revenue. Achieving these targets will require overcoming livestock supply constraints, which Asrat identified as the sector’s main bottleneck. He stressed that systematic supply-chain management and reliable partnerships among pastoralists, live-animal traders, and export abattoirs are critical to ensuring a consistent supply and driving value addition. Livestock Development Institute Deputy Director General Sahilu Mulu added that the government is working to strengthen the broader value chain by expanding processing capacity for both domestic and international markets. Over the past two weeks, three field support teams were deployed to the Somali Region, South Ethiopia Regional State, southern Oromia, and the Afar Region to engage local stakeholders on production, aggregation, and marketing. To put these strategies into practice, Ethiopian Meat Producers and Exporters Association President Kelifa Hussein announced a new pilot arrangement. The initiative will allow livestock suppliers in the Somali Region and Borana to supply animals directly to export facilities. Kelifa noted that bypassing unnecessary intermediaries will significantly reduce transaction costs, boost competitiveness, and deliver direct economic benefits to local traders and pastoralists. The association plans to evaluate the pilot and provide additional support, including logistics and financing, to sustain the direct-supply model. The forum brought together export abattoir operators and leaders from the Somali Region and Borena Zone Livestock Traders Associations to sign agreements and formalize market ties.

ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 4, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics (ESL) today launched a digital customer self-service platform designed to modernize port and cargo operations, streamline import and export processes, and reduce reliance on paper-based procedures. The web and mobile platform application provides customers with digital access to a range of services, including customer registration, cargo tracking, booking, demurrage management, digital payments, and complaints handling. It also incorporates AI-supported chatbots to provide users with faster assistance. High level participants at the launch included senior officials from the Ethiopian Maritime Authority, ESL, Ethio Djibouti Railway Share Company and the National Bank of Ethiopia, along with representatives of private banks, import and export businesses and other key industry stakeholders. Speaking at the launch ceremony, Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Maritime Authority Fraol Tafa said digital technologies are increasingly transforming nearly every aspect of daily life and have become essential to modern logistics operations. “The digital world influences nearly every aspect of our daily lives,” Fraol said. He said terminal management systems will also be introduced soon, further transforming Ethiopia’s logistics sector by making operations smarter and more efficient. “Every investment made by Ethiopia in the logistics sector ultimately impacts the final consumer positively,” he said. Fraol urged public and private sector stakeholders to adopt modern digital systems to reduce costs, improve cargo tracking and strengthen service delivery. ESL CEO Abdulber Shemsu Ahmed said the new platform is part of the company’s broader modernization efforts to respond to the demands of Ethiopia’s rapidly growing economy. “By prioritizing modernization, the company aims not only to enhance efficiency but also to position itself as a formidable contender in the logistics sector,” Abdulber said. He said the digital application would improve service delivery by allowing customers to access services more efficiently and reducing delays associated with previous procedures. “The digital application launched today will further modernize service delivery, allowing customers to receive efficient service without the delays previously encountered,” he said. According to ESL, the platform integrates previously fragmented processes and eliminates manual paperwork that contributed to delays and errors, thereby reducing transaction times and improving operational efficiency. Takele Uma, CEO of Ethio Djibouti Railway Share Company, welcomed the initiative and highlighted the government’s support for ongoing reforms in the logistics sector. “The technology launched today carries great significance and will allow customers to receive improved, effective service,” Takele said. He said the government is working to transform ESL into a leading logistics institution in East Africa. The platform is also aligned with the Digital Ethiopia 2030 agenda, which seeks to accelerate end to end digital transformation across the country’s trade corridors. ESL said it will continue investing in digital technologies to improve efficiency, accuracy and competitiveness across its operations, enabling businesses and consumers to access faster and more reliable logistics services while reducing operational costs.

Addis Ababa, Sep 3, 2026 (ENA) —Ethio telecom has successfully completed the first year of its three-year "Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond Strategy", which targets to expand its customer base to 100 million, CEO Frehiwot Tamiru said today. The Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond is a three-year strategy covering 2024/26 to 2027/28. It seeks to transform Ethio telecom from a traditional telecommunications provider into a technology-driven company by expanding digital financial services, cloud solutions, digital platforms, enterprise technologies and other services beyond basic connectivity. Speaking at a press conference, Frehiwot said the first year of the strategy delivered strong growth and accelerated transformation, laying a solid foundation for the company’s next phase of development. The CEO added that the company’s second-year plan goes beyond financial and operational performance by focusing on empowering people, transforming lives and creating wider economic opportunities through digital technologies. By the year 2027/28 the company targets to provide more than 2.6 million employment, while strengthening access to digital services for citizens, businesses and communities. Frehiwot emphasized that reliable and affordable connectivity remain the foundation for Ethiopia’s broader digital transformation. According to her, Ethio telecom aims to increase its customer base to 96.2 million by the end of 2026/27. The company plans to expand 4G population coverage to 95 percent, up from 82.23 percent, while increasing 4G services to 1,500 towns. Its 5G network is expected to reach 73 towns, adding 40 towns during the year. Ethio telecom will further expand rural connectivity and fiber infrastructure, strengthen digital infrastructure capacity and deploy AI-driven technologies to improve service quality, operational efficiency and productivity. The company also plans to introduce and upgrade a wide range of products and services for consumers, businesses and institutions, with emphasis on digital financial services, enterprise connectivity, international services, and cloud and digital solutions. During the first year of Next Horizon, Ethio telecom’s customer base reached about 90 million, while telebirr users approached 61 million, according to the company. Building on the first year’s progress, the second year will focus on enhancing customer experience, expanding connectivity, accelerating digital services and strengthening the company’s transition toward a broader technology ecosystem. By the end of the three-year strategy, Ethio telecom aims to significantly expand connectivity, digital financial services and digital solutions across Ethiopia. The strategy is aligned with Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 agenda and broader continental digital transformation objectives, supporting efforts to build a more connected, digitally empowered and competitive economy.

Addis Ababa, Sep 3, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia remains firmly committed to advancing regional integration and ensuring the success of the Horn of Africa Initiative, State Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Tazer Gebregziabher said. Addressing the Horn of Africa Initiative Trade Ministers Meeting in Addis Ababa, Tazer said Ethiopia considers regional integration a central pillar of its development strategy and has been working with neighboring countries and partners to mobilize resources for regional trade corridors and trade-facilitating infrastructure. “We have placed regional integration at the center of our development strategy and have worked closely with our neighbors and partners to mobilize substantial resources for regional corridors and trade-facilitating infrastructure,” he said. Ethiopia is determined to play a constructive role in advancing dialogue, aligning policies and sharing experiences to ensure the initiative delivers tangible benefits for all participating countries, the state minister said. He noted that Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda is closely aligned with its regional integration efforts, aimed at building a more open, predictable and competitive economy capable of integrating more effectively with regional and global markets. “Our reforms aim to create a more open, predictable, and competitive economy that can better integrate with regional and global markets,” Tazer said. He added that Ethiopia has taken important steps to improve the business climate, modernize customs and trade systems, and strengthen key institutions. The country is also advancing preparations for accession to the World Trade Organization, which he said would further support transparency and rules-based trade. “We are also investing in strategic transport and logistics corridors that serve not only Ethiopia, but the wider region,” he said. The state minister said Ethiopia’s progress demonstrates its determination to pursue domestic reforms that complement its regional commitments and contribute to broader economic integration across the Horn. For his part, Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry and Chair of the Horn of Africa Initiative meeting, Gamal Mohamed Hassan, said the region occupies one of Africa’s most strategically important commercial positions. The Horn connects Africa’s interior with the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, while sitting along major maritime routes linking Europe and Asia, he noted. “Our regional economy does not reflect that geography. That’s the gap this initiative must help us close,” Gamal said. He highlighted Somalia’s efforts to modernize customs systems, simplify trade procedures and create a more supportive environment for small-scale cross-border traders, stressing that stronger regional integration is essential to unlocking the Horn’s economic potential. “A corridor is not one country’s asset; it depends on every jurisdiction through which goods must move. No single government can make a regional corridor efficient by acting alone,” he said. The Horn of Africa Initiative Trade Ministers Meeting is focused on accelerating implementation of the region’s trade agenda, building on analytical work and stakeholder consultations conducted since 2020. The discussions come as countries in the Horn seek to turn the region’s strategic geographic position into stronger trade connectivity, more efficient corridors and greater economic integration, it was learned.

Addis Ababa, Sep 3, 2026 (ENA) —Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday oversaw the signing of a Framework for Cooperation between the National Bank of Ethiopia and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to establish a dedicated Mortgage Refinance Company. Capitalized at 100 billion birr, the wholesale institution will receive a minimum contribution of 200 million USD from the IFC. The initiative is designed to address long-standing liquidity mismatches in Ethiopia’s banking sector while expanding access to mortgage financing nationwide. In a social media post, the Prime Minister said the partnership marks a major milestone in tackling housing finance bottlenecks and promoting financial inclusion across the country. “This partnership is a critical step toward realizing our goal of delivering 1.5 million affordable, dignified homes for Ethiopian families while expanding private-sector participation in our financial system,” PM Abiy said. He added that Ethiopia “continues to build a modern, resilient, and inclusive economy.”

Brazil has opened a permanent office of its Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) in Addis Ababa, aiming to strengthen economic, trade and investment ties with Ethiopia and expand its business engagement across the African market. The inauguration of the office brought together senior Ethiopian and Brazilian government officials, business community representatives, diplomats. Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Zeleke Temesgen, said the establishment of the ApexBrasil permanent office in Addis Ababa marks the beginning of a tangible strategic alignment between Ethiopia and Brazil.   He said the office will play a significant role in removing information barriers for investors, providing market intelligence and strengthening business-to-business connections between the two countries. According to the Commissioner, the office will also create opportunities to combine Brazil’s technology-driven agricultural expertise with Ethiopia’s vast agricultural potential, particularly in coffee, improved seeds, livestock and modern agribusiness. He reaffirmed the Ethiopian Investment Commission’s commitment to providing the necessary support to Brazilian companies seeking to enter and invest in the Ethiopian market. On his part, Brazilian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Jandyr Ferreira dos Santos, said the opening of the permanent ApexBrasil office represents a new chapter in the economic relationship between the two countries.   “Much more than an opening of a new office, today we are opening a new chapter” in the relationship between Brazil and Ethiopia, the ambassador said. He said the establishment of the office reflects the progress achieved in bilateral relations and the two countries’ ambition to take their economic partnership to a higher level. He said the new office will enable Brazilian companies to better understand the Ethiopian market, identify local partners, access market intelligence and develop concrete trade and investment opportunities. Ambassador Jandyr said Addis Ababa was a natural choice for the office given Ethiopia’s position as one of Africa’s largest markets and the city’s role as the diplomatic capital of the continent. He identified agriculture and agribusiness, aviation, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure and renewable energy among the areas offering significant potential for cooperation. The ambassador also highlighted the growing political and institutional relations between Ethiopia and Brazil.   He noted that Ethiopia and Brazil’s shared membership in BRICS also provides an additional framework for strengthening economic cooperation, including trade, investment and joint industrialization projects. The permanent presence of ApexBrasil in Addis Ababa is expected to provide continuity to business engagement between the two countries, enabling potential opportunities to develop into concrete investments, partnerships and job-creating projects. The office will also serve as a bridge between Brazilian and Ethiopian businesses and a platform for expanding Brazil’s economic engagement with Ethiopia, East Africa and the wider African continent. Director General for Europe and the American at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Meles Alem, said the establishment of the ApexBrasil office marks a new era in the economic partnership between Ethiopia and Brazil.   He said the office will serve as a platform to further enhance trade and investment ties, facilitate business partnerships and promote concrete engagement between Ethiopian and Brazilian businesses. Ambassador Meles noted that Ethiopia and Brazil will celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year, describing the longstanding relationship as one that has continued to develop across generations. He said Addis Ababa is a strategic location for the ApexBrasil office because of its role as the political and diplomatic hub of Africa and its position as a gateway to the continent’s business community. The ambassador highlighted Ethiopia’s direct air connectivity with Brazil and its potential to serve as a gateway to the African Continental Free Trade Area, providing Brazilian companies with access to the wider African market. The Ethiopian government, he said, will provide the necessary support for the effective and timely operationalization of the regional office. President of ApexBrasil, Laudemir Müller, on his part said the opening of the office marks a new chapter in Brazil’s partnership with Africa, particularly with Ethiopia.   He said Africa has become a priority for Brazil because of its young population, agricultural potential, critical mineral resources and longstanding cultural ties with Brazil. Müller said Ethiopia was selected for ApexBrasil’s first African office because of its economic growth, large population, BRICS membership and strategic position as a logistics hub connecting Africa and the Middle East.

Addis Ababa, Sep 2, 2026 (ENA) — The Ethiopia Commodity Exchange (ECX) achieved 167.8 percent of its annual target by trading 48.83 billion Birr worth of commodities during the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year, according to the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration. The ECX, an institution accountable to the Ministry, had set a target of trading export commodities worth 29.1 billion Birr during the fiscal year. Its actual performance exceeded the target by 19.73 billion Birr, according to a social media post by the ministry. The ministry also noted that the result represented a 79 percent increase from the 27.2 billion Birr worth of commodities traded during the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year. The strong trading performance was accompanied by expanded quality inspection and certification services aimed at supporting standardized commodity grading and trading. During the fiscal year, the ECX issued quality inspection certificates for 14,327 samples, including 8,499 coffee samples and 5,828 samples of oilseeds and pulses. The Exchange also expanded quality inspection services to trading channels outside its platform. It inspected 2,314 vehicles carrying 38,710 tons of commodities for cooperatives and direct link traders and issued grading certificates for the inspected commodities. In addition, the ECX provided weighing services for 17,648 vehicles carrying 695,073 tons of commodities during the fiscal year. According to the ministry’s post, the Exchange is also expanding the range of commodities covered by its modern trading system. It has finalized contract specifications and quality standards for three new products: opal, cotton, and hides and skins. The expansion is expected to broaden the range of commodities traded through the Exchange and further strengthen standardized commodity trading in Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa, Sep 2, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia’s comprehensive macroeconomic reforms are creating more favorable conditions for the export sector, easing longstanding business constraints and helping investors access new international markets, business owners and industry leaders said. They said the reforms are generating positive momentum across investment and export activities by addressing structural bottlenecks, improving the business environment and facilitating access to emerging commercial destinations. Horticulture producer and exporter Tsegaye Abebe said bureaucratic hurdles that previously hampered business operations have been substantially reduced under the current economic framework. He said the ongoing reforms and improvements in the investment climate are enabling both domestic and foreign investors to operate more efficiently and improve their business performance. Tsegaye noted that, in addition to established investors from China, India and Europe, capital from Far Eastern countries such as Vietnam is increasingly flowing into various sectors, which he said reflects the growing impact of the reforms. General Manager of Beeco Agro Industry Tamirat Adugna said his company primarily exports fresh strawberries to markets in the Middle East, Far East, Africa and Europe. He said government incentives and structural support for export-oriented producers, combined with the macroeconomic reforms, are helping companies expand production and strengthen their competitiveness in international markets. Tamirat also highlighted improvements in financial and banking services, particularly access to foreign currency and the processing of Letters of Credit. According to him, streamlined banking procedures have made international transactions easier, facilitating entry into emerging markets and strengthening trade ties with Far Eastern destinations, including Singapore and Thailand. Export Manager of Shavamo Export PLC Tariku Guteta said Europe has historically been a major destination for Ethiopian coffee exports. However, he noted that changing trade restrictions and regulatory requirements within the European Union have made market diversification increasingly important for Ethiopian exporters. Tariku said government efforts to identify and open alternative export destinations are crucial for increasing the country’s overall export volume while reducing dependence on a limited number of markets and trading blocs. The industry representatives emphasized that sustaining the reform process, improving trade facilitation and expanding access to international markets would be essential to strengthening Ethiopia’s export competitiveness and supporting investment led economic growth.

Addis Ababa, Sep 2, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia’s agricultural modernization efforts are delivering significant gains in production and productivity while advancing the country’s drive toward food sovereignty, according to State Minister of Agriculture Sophia Kassa. The Ministry of Agriculture convened a consultative forum to assess the implementation of the 2025/26 fiscal year plan and set strategic priorities for 2026/27. Opening the forum, Sophia highlighted key achievements recorded during the 2024/25 harvest season, attributing higher farm productivity to improved agricultural practices and the timely provision of inputs. She noted that 20 million quintals of chemical fertilizer were distributed directly to smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists nationwide, significantly enhancing access to essential supplies. The state minister emphasized that the expansion of dry-season irrigated wheat production has now become an established agricultural practice, crediting strong leadership and sustained commitment across all levels of administration. She also pointed to progress made under the "Bounty of the Basket" (Lemat Tirufat) initiative, which has driven substantial increases in domestic milk and egg production. On environmental conservation, Sophia reported that watershed management activities under the Green Legacy Initiative have expanded Ethiopia’s forest cover to 23.6 percent while creating employment opportunities for youth and women. Furthermore, she stated that agricultural exports generated 4.55 billion USD in foreign exchange earnings during the completed fiscal year. Coffee led agricultural exports and served as the primary source of foreign currency, accounting for 3.1 billion USD of total earnings. She linked this growth to ongoing afforestation and agroforestry efforts integrated into the Green Legacy Initiative. Looking ahead, Sophia called for intensified efforts to streamline input supply systems and accelerate the adoption of modern technologies to boost productivity and secure food sovereignty. She noted that the consultative forum serves as an essential platform to evaluate implementation gaps, review milestones, and formulate actionable strategies for the 2026/27 fiscal year. The forum convened regional agriculture bureau heads, sector leaders, and key stakeholders to assess performance and establish priorities for the upcoming year. It is previously reported that agricultural exports generated 4.55 billion USD in total revenue during the concluded budget year.

September 2, 2026 – The Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide, met with Makhtar Diop, the Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation, to deepen collaboration and scale up private sector investment in Ethiopia. During the meeting, the Minister briefed on the Government of Ethiopia’s implementation of the bold macroeconomic reforms and their contribution to improving the investment landscape and creating new opportunities for the private sector. The Minister emphasized IFC's continued support as a catalyst for private capital. IFC has a portfolio of USD 500 million across diversified sectors including agribusiness, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, tourism, and telecommunications. The Managing Director appreciated the bold reforms undertaken by the Government and reaffirmed IFC's strong commitment to supporting the country's development priorities. Both sides discussed priority areas for enhanced collaboration, including continued support through PPP arrangements and project investments across transport, energy, and housing. Mr. Diop also affirmed IFC’s commitment to continue working closely with the Government to advance other priorities such as the transformative Bishoftu International Airport project, and programmatic support for IPPs and mobilizing private capital at scale.

Addis Ababa, Sep 1, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia and China’s Yunnan Province are seeking to deepen cooperation in coffee trade, investment, and value addition, with Chinese businesses expressing growing interest in Ethiopian specialty coffee. Speaking at the China-Yunnan and Ethiopia Bilateral Trade Promotion Conference 2026 in Addis Ababa today, Investment Deputy Commissioner Zinabu Yirga stated that Ethiopia’s coffee sector offers significant opportunities for investors, particularly in processing and value addition. “This is not simply an opportunity to export Ethiopian coffee; it is an opportunity to invest, process, innovate, and create value in Ethiopia,” he emphasized. He highlighted opportunities across the coffee value chain, including commercial production, climate-smart agriculture, modern processing, roasting, instant coffee production, capsule manufacturing, and packaging. According to the Deputy Commissioner, Ethiopia seeks to transform its position as the birthplace of Arabica coffee into a stronger hub for coffee value addition and investment, creating opportunities for technology transfer, industrial development, employment, and access to new markets. Yunnan Provincial Department of Commerce Deputy Director-General Li Yi noted that Ethiopia’s unique geographical conditions have produced high-quality coffee with distinctive flavors, making it an important source of specialty coffee. Yunnan’s robust coffee-processing capacity and growing market create complementary opportunities with Ethiopia, she stated. The Deputy Director-General added that Yunnan businesses have a genuine demand for high-quality green coffee beans and proposed a cooperation model that combines Ethiopian coffee with deep processing in Yunnan to target both Chinese and global markets. Chinese Embassy Economic and Commercial Office Counselor Liu Xiaoguang remarked that China-Ethiopia friendly cooperation has continued to deepen, with growing opportunities to expand trade and market access for Ethiopian products. According to him, Ethiopia’s distinctive coffee varieties, combined with Yunnan’s processing capacity, commercial networks, and consumer market, create strong potential for cooperation, particularly as demand for premium coffee continues to grow in China. “Coffee-centered economic and trade cooperation between the two sides represents an excellent choice featuring complementary strengths and win-win results,” Xiaoguang stated. The conference brought together government officials, coffee exporters, industry representatives, and Chinese business delegates to explore trade and investment opportunities across the coffee value chain. Ethiopia, China’s Yunnan Province Striving to Deepen Coffee Trade and Value Addition.

Addis Ababa, Sep 1, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda and the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative are complementary frameworks that can foster sustainable economic partnership, House of People's Representatives Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee Chairperson Dima Noggo said. The Chairperson made the remark while opening a dialogue organized by the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) and the European Union in Ethiopia under the theme, “Strategic Partnerships for Transformation: The EU Global Gateway and Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda.” The two frameworks together demonstrate that effective partnership goes beyond the transfer of resources and require genuine alignment of priorities, purpose and responsibility, he said. Under the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda II, the country has pursued macroeconomic stabilization, liberalized key sectors, modernized public institutions and worked to create an investment environment in which confidence is rewarded with opportunity. “The Government of Ethiopia has taken difficult but necessary decisions,” according to Dima, who noted that the country has undertaken currency exchange reforms, strengthened fiscal discipline and opened sectors that had long been protected from competition. These measures are aimed at laying a solid foundation for broad-based and durable prosperity through a private sector-driven, digitally enabled and industrially competitive economy. The Chairperson underscored that no country can transform its economy in isolation, emphasizing Ethiopia’s continued commitment to substantive partnerships with international partners. The complementarity between the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda and EU’s Global Gateway is rooted in a shared conviction that development should be sustainable, partnerships transparent and mutually beneficial, and investments geared toward strengthening local capacity, Dima stated. The alignment between Ethiopia’s reform priorities and international partnership frameworks can help translate investment and cooperation into sustainable economic transformation, the Chairperson added. Addressing the occasion, Head of Partnership and Minister Counselor at the EU delegation to Ethiopia, Daniel Hachez, said Global Gateway is designed to support partner countries' own development priorities. Ethiopia is advancing its Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda II, a comprehensive reform framework aimed at addressing macroeconomic imbalances, moving from a public-led to a market-oriented economy, accelerating structural transformation, and strengthening the private sector. The complementarity between Ethiopia's reform priorities and the Global Gateway are significant as both place emphasis on sustainable development, Sustainable Development Goals that can hopefully be achieved by 2030, Hachez said. According to him, the European Union sees Ethiopia as a strategic partner. "We believe that by aligning the Global Gateway with Ethiopia's reform agenda, we can help lay the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient, and more competitive economy, while also contributing to the wider regional connectivity." He reaffirmed the European Union's commitment to work with Ethiopia in a spirit of partnership, shared ownership and mutual respect with the target of deepening the cooperation. Deputy Executive Director at the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA), Mohammedrafi Abaraya, for his part said Ethiopia and the European Union share longstanding historical and diplomatic ties. Relations between the two have expanded beyond diplomacy to encompass development cooperation, trade, and investment, peace and security, humanitarian assistance, research and institutional collaboration, he elaborated. Since Ethiopia embarked on its reform journey in 2018, the European Union has remained an important partner in supporting the country's development and reform priorities as the European Union Global Gateway offers a significant opportunity to further deepen this partnership, Mohammedrafi noted.

Addis Ababa, Sep 1, 2026 (ENA) — Water stored in Egypt’s downstream reservoirs suffers from high rates of evaporation due to the country’s hot desert climate, according to Fekahmed Negash, Chairperson of the Advisory Team on Transboundary Water and GERD at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy. Fekahmed, a former member of Ethiopia’s GERD negotiation team and former Executive Director of the Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO), emphasized that Ethiopia’s deep and narrow highland gorges provide far more favorable conditions for water storage. Storing water in these cooler highland areas, he argued, could ultimately benefit the entire Nile Basin countries. He contrasted these conditions with the Aswan High Dam, whose vast reservoir lies in Egypt’s hot desert environment and is exposed to substantial evaporation losses. Fekahmed estimated that the Aswan High Dam loses about 15 to 16 billion cubic meters of water annually through evaporation. “Storing water in Ethiopia, where the gorges are deep and narrow and the temperature is ambient, can minimize this evaporation,” he said. He said shifting a greater share of water storage upstream to Ethiopia could save a significant volume of water that would otherwise be lost to evaporation, increasing the amount eventually released downstream. “This will definitely save a large part of the water lost to evaporation and increase the amount of water released downstream,” Fekahmed said. According to Fekahmed, the potential benefits of Ethiopian highland storage extend beyond reducing evaporation. He identified reduced sedimentation as another major advantage for downstream countries, particularly Egypt. Large quantities of silt transported from the Ethiopian highlands accumulate in Lake Nasser behind the Aswan High Dam, gradually reducing its storage capacity. “The construction of dams in Ethiopia can reduce the amount of silt arriving at the Naser Lake thereby extending its useful life,” he said. By trapping sediment upstream, Ethiopian dams could reduce the amount of silt reaching downstream reservoirs and help preserve their long term storage capacity, he added. Upstream storage could also provide downstream countries with greater protection against extreme flooding, Fekahmed said. Although severe floods are relatively infrequent, he noted that extreme events can pose serious risks to downstream infrastructure. He recalled that during a major flood event in 2005, Egyptian engineers opened the Western Spillway and diverted billions of cubic meters of water into the Toshka Valley. Greater storage capacity in Ethiopia could help regulate extreme flows within the basin and reduce the pressure of major floods on downstream infrastructure, according to Fekahmed. The benefits of Ethiopian reservoirs are not limited to water conservation, he said. Fekahmed said cascade hydropower development in Ethiopia could generate electricity beyond domestic requirements, creating opportunities for downstream countries to access clean and affordable energy. “The fourth benefit is access to cheap and clean electricity from Ethiopia,” he said. Such energy cooperation could provide an additional basis for economic integration among Nile Basin countries, he added. Fekahmed also linked increased upstream storage to the Nile Basin’s ability to cope with climate change. He said climate change is increasingly manifested through flooding, drought and variability in river flows. “Construction of cascade dams in Ethiopia will increase the storage capacity in the basin,” he noted. Water stored in Ethiopia could then be released downstream when needed, helping countries manage periods of excessive or reduced river flow, he added. Fekahmed further said studies indicate that shifting water storage toward Ethiopia’s highland gorges could save substantial quantities of water currently lost through evaporation. He estimated that evaporation from dams in Egypt and Sudan amounts to about 20 billion cubic meters annually. Fekahmed said the potential benefits of upstream storage highlight the need for greater cooperation among Nile Basin countries. He argued that water storage should be considered from the perspective of the entire basin rather than solely through the interests of individual countries. Ethiopian highland reservoirs, he said, can simultaneously contribute to reducing evaporation losses, controlling sedimentation, regulating floods, generating clean energy and strengthening climate resilience. “For this to happen, there is a need for trust and confidence to be built among the nations,” Fekahmed said. His comments come amid renewed debate over Ethiopia’s plans to develop additional dams on the Abay (Blue Nile). Fekahmed’s assessment presents upstream storage as an opportunity to improve water management across the Nile Basin, arguing that the favorable storage conditions of Ethiopia’s highlands could generate benefits extending well beyond Ethiopia’s borders.

Addis Aaba, September 1, 2026 (ENA)— Ethiopia’s role as the source of the Abay (Nile) River fueled plots by Egyptian politicians and their allies to weaken the nation and deny it Red Sea access, former Water Minister and Ambassador Shiferaw Jarso told ENA. He further stated that the country has been still actively seeking to undermine Ethiopia’s strategic interests in the Red Sea by exploiting internal divisions and supporting forces that weaken the country. Ambassador Shiferaw linked Ethiopia’s current geopolitical pressures over sea access to the circumstances surrounding Eritrea’s separation from Ethiopia, arguing that both external actors and internal political forces contributed to the loss of Ethiopia’s maritime and territorial interests. Many observers say one of the most consequential examples of Egypt’s divisive regional approach is its historical involvement in the Eritrean question and the broader struggle over Ethiopia’s territorial integrity. Cairo was overtly supporting separatist forces and political projects intended to weaken Ethiopia and constrain its regional influence, according to them.   The eventual separation of Eritrea from Ethiopia remains a defining episode in the Horn of Africa’s turbulent history and a powerful reminder of how external geopolitical calculations can reshape the destiny of nations. Historical diplomacy reveals that Egyptian politician Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who served as acting Foreign Minister before becoming UN Secretary-General, played a pivotal role in advancing the Eritrean secession project to permanently weaken Ethiopia, it was learned. Shiferaw said the loss of access to the Red Sea ports of Massawa and Assab has imposed profound economic and strategic costs on Ethiopia for nearly three decades, describing the development as a historic injustice with lasting consequences for the country. Ambassador Shiferaw further argued that a government without a strong popular mandate lacked the legitimacy to make decisions that would permanently reshape Ethiopia’s maritime position. According to him, efforts to constrain Ethiopia’s regional influence have persisted despite the country’s position as the source of the Nile, with maritime isolation compounding broader geopolitical and economic pressures.   He described reliable sea access as an existential and generational issue for Ethiopia, saying it is fundamentally tied to national security, economic growth, sovereignty and long-term regional stability. “Ethiopia cannot remain permanently disconnected from the sea,” Ambassador Shiferaw said, pointing to the country’s population, expanding economy, growing import-export trade, geographical proximity to the Red Sea and historical ties to regional ports. Ethiopia historically administered Massawa and Assab and maintained naval capabilities before Eritrea’s separation. Ambassador Shiferaw said these historical links, together with Ethiopia’s present-day economic weight and geographic realities, reinforce the country’s case for pursuing sustainable maritime access. He commended the Ethiopian government’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring the issue of sea access to greater international attention, saying Ethiopia should continue pursuing the matter through peaceful and legally grounded channels. The ambassador stressed that Ethiopia’s quest for sea access should be resolved through dialogue, mutual understanding, international law and mutually beneficial arrangements, rather than confrontation.   He also underscored the importance of Ethiopia’s transboundary rivers to downstream countries, arguing that the same principle of shared benefit should guide discussions over maritime access. A peaceful, balanced and legally grounded solution, he said, would not only address Ethiopia’s strategic interests but could also contribute to greater stability and economic cooperation across the Red Sea and Horn of Africa region.

Addis Ababa, August 31, 2026 (ENA) — African visitors expressed admiration for Addis Ababa's infrastructure, modern urban landscape, and warm hospitality, stating their experience far exceeded expectations. The visitors were in the Ethiopian capital from August 25 to 28 for the Continental Youth Capacity Building Programme on African Union Shared Values Instruments. For many, the event offered a firsthand opportunity to experience Ethiopia and contrast popular outside perceptions with the reality on the ground. Nigerian participant Ekejiuba Daberechi, who visited Addis Ababa for the first time, said he was particularly impressed by the hospitality and warmth of the people. “I am interested in the warmth from the people. Very amazing people, and I am so happy to connect with them,” he said. He also praised the city’s infrastructure, particularly what he observed while traveling from Bole International Airport. “Some of the infrastructure on our way here from the airport, I was really impressed. Addis Ababa is doing pretty well, and I’m really happy,” Ekejiuba said. He said he had limited expectations before arriving in Ethiopia because it was his first visit to East Africa. “As this is my first time in East Africa as a subregion, I didn’t have any expectations, but I was looking forward to really witnessing Addis Ababa in its full colors, and I was really impressed with what I observed,” he said. Ekejiuba said the city could serve as an example of Africa’s ongoing urban development and provide an opportunity for young Africans to exchange experiences and contribute to the continent’s growth. “We are able to see for ourselves how other parts of the continent are growing, and we can also see how we can contribute to that growth as well, and we can all work together as a unit to advance the continent as a whole,” he said. Cameroonian Tourists Engelbert Suh, also visiting Addis Ababa for the first time, said the city’s infrastructure had challenged some of the perceptions about Ethiopia he had encountered while growing up. He said his previous understanding of Ethiopia had been shaped by information portraying the country primarily through poverty and food insecurity. However, his experience in Addis Ababa presented a different picture. He said the city’s roads, buildings and overall urban environment particularly caught his attention. “When I saw the reality about Ethiopia, I would wish to go back and encourage more people to come to the country, especially Addis Ababa. Because it’s a good place, and it’s a nice place,” Suh said. The visitors’ impressions come as Addis Ababa undergoes major changes under the city’s Corridor Development Initiative. Launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2024, the initiative is a large-scale urban renewal programme aimed at transforming roads, transportation systems, public spaces and other urban infrastructure across the capital. The development has introduced newly asphalted roads, pedestrian walkways, bicycle lanes, running tracks and facilities designed to improve movement and accessibility across the city. The initiative has also incorporated modern underground pedestrian crossings, bus and taxi terminals, recreational facilities, children’s playgrounds, public plazas, green spaces and parks. Improved drainage infrastructure has also been incorporated into the projects to strengthen flood management and improve the city’s resilience during heavy rainfall. The ongoing transformation has contributed to a more vibrant urban environment, while providing visitors with a different perspective on Addis Ababa and Ethiopia. For the young African participants, the experience offered more than an opportunity to see the capital. It also provided a chance to challenge perceptions, discover common experiences and consider how African countries can learn from one another as they pursue urban development and continental integration.

Addis Ababa, August 30, 2026 (ENA) —Thailand is seeking to deepen its strategic engagement with Ethiopia and expand its partnership with Africa, with Addis Ababa emerging as a key bridge between Southeast Asia and the African continent, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow told ENA. Following his official visit to Ethiopia, Phuangketkeow said his visit to Addis Ababa had two strategic objectives: strengthening Thailand’s bilateral relationship with Ethiopia and expanding Thailand’s engagement with Africa through the African Union (AU), whose headquarters are located in the Ethiopian capital. “Today, after my meeting with the foreign minister of your country, we sign an MOU establishing regular political consultations at the high level between our two countries. So this will help give us the political impetus. It will underscore the political will and give us the impetus to enhance the other dimensions of our relations,” he added. Elaborating on elevating the political engagement of Ethiopia and Thailand, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister stated that the two countries signed a MoU to establish regular high-level political consultations, giving fresh momentum to bilateral ties. The mechanism would reinforce political commitment and provide new impetus for cooperation across multiple areas. “More contacts at the high level and more exchange of visits” are essential to strengthening ties, he noted. Thailand has also decided to establish an embassy in Addis Ababa with a resident ambassador who will represent Thailand in Ethiopia while also serving as the country’s representative to the African Union.   The move marks a significant step in Thailand’s effort to strengthen its diplomatic presence in Africa and use Addis Ababa as a platform for broader engagement with the continent. Against this backdrop, Thailand is advancing its Thailand-Africa Initiative, aimed at deepening economic, political and development partnerships with African countries. Thailand is reaching out to new partners while also strengthening long-standing relationships, he elaborated. Recognizing Africa’s growing economic and geopolitical weight, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said, “we need to reach out to new friends, new partners, and even partners that we have known for a long time. We think that we can do much more together”. Phuangketkeow underscored that Africa is no longer viewed through the lens of its past, but as a continent of rising economies and an increasingly influential force in global affairs. “Africa is not like the past anymore. Many of the African countries are emerging economies; and Africa is an important and strong voice in the Global South.” Stressing Addis Ababa as a bridge between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that has 11 member states and Africa, Phuangketkeow said Ethiopia and Thailand can play an important role in building stronger bridges between the African Union and ASEAN. With Timor-Leste becoming ASEAN’s 11th member, the Southeast Asian bloc represents a market and political grouping of nearly 700 million people. As both the ASEAN and the AU expand their influence in global affairs, the DPM and Minister pointed out that stronger interregional cooperation is increasingly important in addressing shared global challenges. “We need to build bridges within regions and bridges across regions,” he said. The DPM and Minister identified safeguarding the rules-based international order, preserving free trade and strengthening the multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization (WTO) as key areas where ASEAN and African countries can work more closely. Phuangketkeow warned that the increasing use of tariffs and bilateral trade pressure as instruments of leverage could undermine the multilateral trading system. The Thai Deputy PM and foreign minister also welcomed Ethiopia’s progress toward joining the WTO, describing deeper integration into the international trading system as beneficial to Ethiopia’s economic development. He said WTO accession would encourage Ethiopia to engage more actively with international trade rules and the global economy.   Thailand, he added, is interested in expanding bilateral trade and investment while sharing its development experience with Ethiopia, particularly in industrialization and agricultural value addition. “We want to see more economic ties, greater trade and more investment,” Phuangketkeow said. He emphasized that stronger economic growth in Ethiopia would create greater opportunities for businesses from both countries.

Addis Ababa, August 30, 2026 (ENA) —The strong comparative advantages of Ethiopia and Thailand provide a solid foundation for expanding trade and investment partnerships, according to Arthayudh Srisamoot, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. Speaking to ENA, Srisamoot emphasized that Ethiopia’s large, youthful population, abundant natural resources, and growing workforce offer significant opportunities for Thai investors. Thailand, with a population under 70 million, faces an aging demographic and limited population growth. This makes countries like Ethiopia, with a large and dynamic labor force, increasingly attractive for Thai investment, he added. “Ethiopia has a large population and most of the population is very young, very dynamic,” Srisamoot said, identifying the country’s workforce as one of its major investment advantages. The official praised Ethiopia’s hospitality, workforce efficiency, communication skills and ability to adapt to international working environments as qualities that could encourage greater foreign investment.   According to him, Ethiopia’s natural resources and economic assets, including gold, iron ore, agricultural products, coffee and hydropower, are areas offering substantial opportunities for cooperation. In addition, Ethiopia’s relatively low cost of electricity and educated workforce are additional advantages that could support investment and industrial development. At the same time, he stressed that further improvements in the ease of doing business would be important to attracting more Thai investment. The Advisor said such reforms could include simplifying procedures for foreign companies to establish businesses, transfer capital into the country, bring in managers and technical experts, introduce technology and repatriate profits. Clearer rules governing partnerships between foreign and Ethiopian companies, as well as greater clarity on sectors open to foreign investment, would also help investors make informed decisions. Srisamoot elaborated that Thai companies are particularly interested in sectors where Thailand has established expertise, especially food production, manufacturing and small and medium-size enterprises. “These are areas that we are interested to invest in Ethiopia,” he said. The Advisor expressed optimism that closer cooperation between the two governments and business communities could help unlock the significant investment and trade potential between Ethiopia and Thailand. Srisamoot emphasized that Thailand’s extensive experience in exports, manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure development and domestic consumption has given its companies expertise that could complement Ethiopia’s investment potential.   Thailand is a major producer and exporter of agricultural and manufactured products and has developed into a regional hub for the automobile and electronics industries. Thai companies also work closely with international partners in areas including machinery, manufacturing and agricultural technology, he noted. In this regard, “we have a lot to offer the Ethiopian business community,” Srisamoot said. He also stressed the need for continued efforts to improve market access and facilitate the movement of capital, technology and businesspeople between the two countries. “We’re hoping to work with the Ethiopian side on how we can provide better market access, better joint partnerships and investment between the two countries.”   Srisamoot recalled that existing trade between Ethiopia and Thailand, which he described as approaching 1 billion U.S. dollars, remains below the level that could be achieved given the size of the two economies and Ethiopia’s strategic position in Africa. He underscored that stronger institutional cooperation, improved investment conditions and expanded business to business ties could help the two countries translate their complementary economic strengths into greater trade and investment.

Addis Ababa, August 30, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia’s progress in infrastructure, urban development, agricultural transformation and climate resilience has earned praise from African experts, who say the country is offering practical lessons for the continent’s development agenda. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Principal Programme Officer for Agriculture and Rural Transformation at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), Clement Adjorlolo, described Ethiopia’s transformation over the past decades as remarkable. He pointed to advances in infrastructure, connectivity and hospitality as key features of the country’s progress. “I have been to Ethiopia. My first time seeing Addis Ababa was in 1999. From 1999 to today, I see what is called transformation, true transformation,” he said. Adjorlolo said Ethiopia’s infrastructure and connectivity, particularly Ethiopian Airlines’ extensive network, have made Addis Ababa more accessible for meetings and other activities. Improvements in the hospitality sector are further supporting economic activities and tourism, He said. Adjorlolo said the country is offering a broad range of opportunities across different sectors, adding that Ethiopia’s progress is encouraging broader economic activity. “I think Ethiopia is offering a whole package that consumers will choose, whether it be in agriculture, information and so many other things that Ethiopia has to offer,” he said. He further said that “Africa is moving in the right direction as much as Ethiopia is moving in the right direction.” Paul Guthiga, Head of the Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS) unit at AKADEMIYA2063, highlighted Ethiopia’s investment in urban development as particularly relevant to Africa’s future as the continent undergoes rapid urbanization. Guthiga told ENA that with more than half of Africa’s population expected to live in urban areas in the coming decades, countries need to invest in urban infrastructure, housing, recreational areas and public transport. “Therefore, investing like Ethiopia is doing, I think, is very important,” he said. He also stressed the importance of connecting urban centers with rural production areas, noting that while cities are major consumption centers, much of Africa’s food will continue to be produced in rural areas. According to Guthiga, stronger urban-rural linkages can create ready markets for farmers, improve productivity and enable rural producers to benefit from better prices, while ensuring that development associated with urbanization does not leave rural communities behind. He said Ethiopia’s efforts to develop both urban and rural areas, while linking the two, are therefore important for inclusive development. Assistant Commissioner for Food and Nutrition Security at Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Alex Bambona, also pointed to Ethiopia’s experience as a source of lessons for other African countries. He highlighted Ethiopia’s progress in building resilience and adapting to climate change, saying the country has performed strongly in climate resilience. Bambona cited Ethiopia’s Green Legacy initiative and planned new airport among developments he said reflect efforts related to resilience and climate change adaptation. The experts highlighted Ethiopia’s progress in infrastructure, urban development, urban-rural linkages, agricultural policy implementation and climate resilience as areas offering useful lessons for other African countries.