Ministry of Finance, UAE’s Zayed Foundation Launch Initiative to Strengthen Agricultural Resilience and Coffee Sector

Addis Ababa, January 20, 2026 (ENA)—Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance, in partnership with the United Arab Emirates’ Zayed Foundation, has launched preparations for a strategic development initiative aimed at strengthening agricultural resilience, enhancing coffee value addition, and addressing climate-related challenges.

The initiative was discussed during a briefing led by State Minister of Finance Semereta Sewasew, who met with a delegation from the Zayed Foundation headed by Mohanna Obaid Almeheri.

The engagement underscores the Ministry’s proactive leadership and coordinated planning to promote long-term economic empowerment for Ethiopia’s smallholder farmers.

During the meeting, State Minister Semereta provided an overview of Ethiopia’s ongoing macroeconomic reforms, highlighting progress in debt management, currency liberalization, and the gradual opening of the financial and management sectors to private investment.

She noted that the Ministry of Finance has been leading extensive consultations with technical experts and key stakeholders to design a project framework aligned with national development priorities, domestic revenue mobilization, and export competitiveness.

“We are committed to equipping smallholder farmers with the skills and resources they need to succeed,” Semereta said.

“This initiative is about enabling sustainable growth for both farmers and the country,” she noted.

Mohanna Obaid Almeheri reaffirmed the Zayed Foundation’s long-term commitment to Ethiopia, emphasizing a shift from short-term assistance toward sustainable development.

“Our goal is no longer just to provide immediate support,” he said. “We aim to empower farmers through technical tools, modern equipment, and financial education, enabling them to overcome economic challenges and achieve lasting growth.”

Discussions also focused on a major upcoming project targeting Ethiopia’s coffee sector, a key contributor to national export earnings that is increasingly affected by climate change and evolving regulatory requirements in European markets.

 As part of the initiative, the Zayed Foundation will collaborate with Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), a global agricultural firm with more than 150 years of experience, including expertise in carbon management and coffee production across the Middle East and Africa.

The Ministry of Finance confirmed that it will continue close engagement with the Zayed Foundation and technical partners to finalize the project design and implementation framework ahead of a formal signing ceremony.

The initiative will integrate carbon management and water resource practices to mitigate climate risks and ensure Ethiopian agricultural products remain competitive in global markets.