Welmel River Irrigation Dev't, Sof Umer Caves Pillars for Economic Transformation

Addis Ababa, October 23, 2025 (ENA) – The development projects like the Welmel River Irrigation and the Sof Omer Luxury Lodge and ongoing agricultural modernization, environmental sustainability, as well as and tourism efforts in Bale Zone of Oromia region are pillars of economic transformation.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed accompanied by a high-level delegation of former and current leaders has recently toured the Bale Zone, an area of rich in natural and cultural wealth.  

The visit, which deeply inspired the leaders, highlighted the region's breathtaking environment, including the Fincha Habera Waterfall and the Sof Omer cave system.  

In a discussion following the conclusion of the visit, Prime Minister Abiy emphasized the development in Bale zone is a showcase for the government's integrated national development strategy, linking agricultural modernization, eco-tourism, and environmental conservation.

The high-level delegation leaders who toured various projects assessed the progress and identifying future priorities.

The Welmel River Irrigation Development Project in Bale Zone marks a defining step in the country’s integrated development vision, linking agricultural modernization, environmental sustainability, and tourism as interdependent pillars of national transformation.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the project during a visit, noting the government’s commitment to building a resilient, self-sustaining economy grounded in food sovereignty and rural development.

The three-day visit also spotlighted parallel initiatives in eco-tourism and ecosystem conservation around the Bale Mountains, demonstrating a holistic approach to development that balances productivity, environmental stewardship, and community well-being.

“The goal of improving local livelihoods is central to Ethiopia’s forward-looking development agenda,” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated in his remarks.

Reflecting on his visit to the Sof Omer Caves, Prime Minister Abiy said: “The first time I visited Sof Omer with Shimeles (Chief Administrator of Oromia Region), I was both amazed and saddened. I was struck by the immense natural and historical wealth we have; and yet, how much of it has been forgotten. It made me feel both sad and determined.”

He emphasized that Ethiopia has long underestimated the depth of its natural and cultural assets, noting that fully understanding and restoring sites like Sof Omar would require immense investment, but yield value far beyond money.

“Our history should serve as a teacher,” he said. “Living too much in the past prevents us from acting today and building for tomorrow.”

The Prime Minister also noted the architectural and engineering genius of ancient Ethiopian civilizations, evident in Lalibela, Aksum, and Sof Omar, and called for deeper scientific and archaeological research, particularly on theories suggesting underground links among these historic sites.

The Welmel River Irrigation Development Project represents a major step in Ethiopia’s shift from rain-fed to irrigation-based agriculture. Designed and managed by the Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands, the project aims to irrigate 9,687 hectares of farmland and directly benefit approximately 20,000 households.

PM Abiy emphasized that the project is a key part of Ethiopia’s national food sovereignty strategy and its broader resilience agenda.  

“By establishing a sustainable surface irrigation system, the project seeks to improve the livelihoods and resilience of local communities that have long depended on rain-fed agriculture.”  

Irrigation and Lowlands Minister Abraham Belay said Bale Zone is one of the country’s most promising agricultural areas and a leading eco-tourism destination; however, its vast irrigation potential remains largely untapped.  

“Of the 137,100 hectares of irrigable land in the zone, only 26,000 hectares are currently used by irrigation systems,” he added.

The Minister also noted that federal and regional governments have already developed 36 irrigation systems in Bale Zone, including the newly inaugurated Welmel project.  

The Welmel project of Bale Zone is first large-scale irrigation initiative, targeting 12,000 hectares, and to date 10,000 hectares have been developed, benefiting nearly 20,000 households.

“In total, around 50,000 households are now benefiting from existing and newly built irrigation infrastructure,” the Minister said. “With 31 rivers, favorable terrain, and more than 1.2 million residents, Bale Zone deserves even greater investment.”

Oromia Regional State Chief Administrator, Shimelis Abdisa, said “when I first came here six or seven years ago, there was a great deal of anger and resentment. But standing here today, seeing how much has changed in such a short time compared to the past, I feel truly happy”.

According to the Chief Administrator, Sof Omar was chosen as the starting point when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed gave directions to begin development activities in the area.  

Since then, tremendous efforts have been made to heal past grievances, paving the way for progress and innovation and these efforts have not only mobilized the people toward development and ensured stability but have also sparked a remarkable revival in urban growth, he added.  

This transformation represents a powerful energy for Ethiopia, an integrated vision encompassing agriculture, mining, and tourism, he stated, adding that it has generated renewed motivation among both the people and the leadership; and it stands as a source of great national strength.

Reflecting on the past, senior leaders can see that this place carries profound lessons and it demonstrates the path Ethiopia is on and affirms that the nation’s prosperity is inevitable, he added.  

“I believe the determination and experience gained here can serve as an inspiration and model for others,” the Chief Administrator emphasized.

Intergovernmental Authority on Development Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyohu,   emphasized that “although I have visited this area many times before, I have never seen Bale as it is today”.  

In the past, despite its vast resources, Bale’s true potential was not visible to us. However, this visit has revealed the remarkable potentials the area is blessed, Workneh said, adding that the resources found in Bale are not only valuable for the region but can also contribute significantly to Ethiopia’s overall development.  

According to Workneh, with proper vision, Bale can be fundamentally transformed, shifting from dependency on safety-net programs to becoming a hub for productive agriculture and sustainable tourism; and we need a leadership team that truly understands the area’s potential and works collectively to ensure the local community benefits from these opportunities.

Prime Minster Abiy’s advisor on East African Affairs, Getachew Reda, stated that he had visited Bale some 13 years ago.  

“Back then, I wondered why no one had thought to build roads here,” he said.

According to Getachew, this part of the world, once considered remote and distant, has always held deep significance.

The Bale Mountains are not just natural landmarks; a thousand years ago, they were centers of learning where Islamic scholars from across the world gathered to study and exchange knowledge.  

The immense potential of this area can only be realized when the community is encouraged to move beyond dependence on safety nets and to engage in activities that bring shared prosperity, he added.  

“Our failure to harness the region’s abundant resources to lift communities out of dependency reflects a broader challenge, a need for mindset transformation. The slow pace of expanding tourist destinations has limited the income we should be earning from this vital sector,” Getachew stated.  

By connecting tourist sites across the country, we can build unity not only through geography but also through shared history, culture, psychology, and politics, Getachew noted, adding that the tourism opportunities being developed in Bale should therefore be extended to other parts of the country, in line with each area’s unique conditions and potential.

General Tsadkan Gebretensae, former Defense Chief of Staff, also expressed his reflection on the development projects in the Bale Zone.  

According to Tsadkan, the visit exceeded his expectations. “Although I had been to the places when I was in the Defense Force, I never realized that the area possessed such vast natural resources,” he explained, adding that “I had heard about Sof Omar before, but I didn’t know that it extends over 15 to 20 kilometers underground and that the surrounding area is rich with large rivers. Learning that these rivers can support development across 100,000 hectares of land gives me great hope”.

So far, the former Defense Chief of Staff said we have only witnessed what lies above the ground, the underground resources remain untapped.

General Tsadkan further explained that “even though we have not yet fully overcome  challenges, I believe we can do so by setting aside our differences and working together for the common good of our country”.

“At the same time, the progress I have seen here gives me confidence as our economy grows, our political stability will also strengthen”.

The officials emphasized that Welmel project is not just about agriculture, it is a strategic investment in climate adaptation, sustainable water use, and long-term rural transformation.  

The integration of tourism, conservation, and irrigation in Bale Zone presents a replicable model for holistic regional development in Ethiopia.