Council of Ministers Approves Proclamations, Agreement and Regulations on Wide-Ranging Issues

Addis Ababa, January 5, 2026 (ENA)— The Council of Ministers has passed decisions on issues ranging from mining to housing, finance, and national security with the view to bolstering the nation’s economy.

In its 5th regular session held today, the Council first reviewed draft agreements for fertilizer and potash mining production licenses.

Recognizing these projects as pivotal for enhancing foreign exchange earnings and generating employment as well as substituting costly fertilizer imports, the Council has unanimously authorized the Ministry of Mines to sign and execute the agreements. 

The agreements are also designed to ensure the timely distribution of fertilizer to farmers while adhering to stringent environmental and community benefit standards.

Moreover, the Council approved the draft Housing Policy tabled to address the persistent disparity between housing supply and demand for immediate implementation. 

The new framework seeks to ensure sustainable, affordable, and accessible housing for all citizens in both urban and rural settings.

The Council also evaluated a 30,000,000-USD-loan agreement secured from the Korea Export-Import Bank for the second phase of the Medical Equipment Supply Project.

This highly concessional loan, featuring a 0.01 percent interest rate and a 40-year repayment period, including a 15-year grace period, aims to modernize the medical infrastructure.

The Council referred the agreement to the House of People's Representatives for ratification.

In addition, a draft regulation that determines service fees for the Immigration and Citizenship Service was approved to ensure reliable and quality services.

Furthermore, the Council discussed the amended Cooperative Societies Proclamation to align the sector with recent national reforms. The revised proclamation was referred to the House of People's Representatives.

Moreover, the Council deliberated on the revised Aviation Security Proclamation to mitigate emerging threats and enhance the reliability of air transport. The revised proclamation was referred to the House of People's Representatives.

Additionally, two regulations were passed regarding efficiency. The first establishes the Mesob Service, a "one-stop-shop" service delivery model designed to reduce bureaucracy and enhance citizen satisfaction.

The second defines the organizational structure and powers of the Ethiopian Competency and Management Institute to enable it to fulfill its statutory mandates effectively.

The Council further approved a regulation governing the Universal Access Fund, established under the Communications Service Proclamation. This regulation defines the revenue sources and administrative protocols for the fund.

It also adopted a revised National Sport Policy designed to address gaps in community participation, anti-doping measures, and the integration of technology in sports management.

To provide a robust legal framework for this sector, the Council also approved the Federal Sport Development and Administration Proclamation, referring it to the House of People's Representatives.