Ethiopia Pledges Training Support for African Political Parties

Addis Ababa, November 6, 2026 (ENA)— Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Ethiopia is committed to supporting leadership development in African political parties by extending training opportunities at the African Leadership Excellence Academy to political parties across the continent.

PM Abiy made the commitment while addressing the Second African Political Parties Summit in Addis Ababa, underscoring the importance of preparing a new generation of leaders capable of sustaining development and ensuring continuity in governance.

"The …. proposal that I am bringing to attention today is developing new leaders. We have seen countries lose momentum when strong leaders fail to prepare successors. We must give younger members real responsibility and promote those who show judgment and integrity," he said.

The Premier said Ethiopia would contribute to the African Leadership Excellence Academy and open its training programmes to political parties across Africa, making the country's leadership development experience available to political actors throughout the continent.

Sharing Ethiopia's leadership philosophy, the Premier explained that the governing Prosperity Party is guided by Medemer, or synergy, which brings together different strengths around a common purpose and encourages members to take responsibility for the country as a whole.

Citing economic outcomes from Ethiopia's leadership experience, he pointed to digital identification programme and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as examples of national development efforts that require sustained commitment and building on the achievements of previous generations.

He also highlighted the Green Legacy Initiative, under which more than 56 billion seedlings have been planted since 2019, as an example of collective efforts to restore degraded land, protect water resources and strengthen resilience to climate-related challenges.

PM Abiy emphasized that effective political leadership requires accountability and recognition of the contributions of others, including those with different political views, noting that "every citizen has an equal claim on the state, whichever party they support."

PM Abiy also stressed that political parties should measure their convictions by the improvements they bring to people's lives, challenging leaders to ask themselves: "Do our people live better because of what we believe?"

He illustrated this responsibility through the example of parents walking their children to school, saying their faith in the country's future depends on continued progress and better prospects for the next generation.

"When progress does not reach their home, they lose faith not only in party, but in politics itself. That should concern every leader in this room," he noted.

Ethiopia's commitment to extending the Academy's training to political parties across Africa reflects its contribution to developing capable future leaders and strengthening leadership capacity to sustain the continent's development.