Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Responds to Questions Raised by Members of Parliament
Ethiopia Hosts UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to Strengthen Bilateral Relations
Prime Minister Abiy Inaugurates Shabeely Resort and Aysha-II Wind Power Project
Ethiopia Highlights Agricultural Products and Expands Global Market Presence at Gulfood 2026
Ethiopia Hosted Regional Expert Meeting on Protecting Energy Infrastructure from Terrorist Threats
Ethiopia Engages in Preparatory Meeting for 2026 UN Water Conference in Dakar
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
President Taye Atske-Selassie attended the World Governments Summit in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday (February 3), where he underscored trust as the cornerstone of Africa’s global engagement and emphasized that partnerships must be grounded in reliability and mutual respect.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed responded to questions raised by members of parliament during the 10th Regular Session of the 5th Year of the 6th Term of the House of Peoples’ Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, held on Tuesday (February 3). (See article)
Ethiopia received the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper, MP, on an official visit from January 31 to February 2. The visit highlighted the continued efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and promote cooperation in key areas of mutual interest.(See article)
Prime Minister Abiy on Saturday (January 31) officially inaugurated the Shabeely Resort, one of the largest tourism projects developed under the Dine for Generations initiative, and the Aysha-II Wind Power Project in the Somali Region, in a ceremony attended by President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia. (See article)
Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Monday (February 2) on strengthening bilateral relations, with both sides underscoring the importance of elevating longstanding ties and enhancing political and economic cooperation across various sectors.
Ethiopia presented its agricultural products and engaged with international trade partners at Gulfood 2026, the annual food and beverage exhibition held in Dubai from January 26–30. The event brought together buyers, suppliers, policymakers, and investors from across the agrifood value chain, providing a platform for business and market engagement. (See article)
Addis Ababa hosted the Regional counter-terrorism experts meeting under the theme “Protecting Energy Infrastructure against Terrorist Threats” on January 28–29. The meeting organized by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre (AUCTC) convened senior government officials, counter-terrorism experts, security practitioners, and representatives of regional and international organizations from Eastern Africa and the Horn of Africa. (See article)
Ethiopia participated in the high-level preparatory meeting for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, held in Dakar, Senegal, from January 26–27. The meeting brought together senior government officials, United Nations representatives, and officials from regional and international organizations to discuss key themes, including Water for the Planet, Water for Prosperity, Water for Cooperation, and Water in Multiple Processes, as well as investment in water resources. (See article)
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera received Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia Evgeny Terekhin at his office on Thursday (February 5), where the two sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and continental issues of mutual interest.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye held discussions on Thursday (February 5) with the Indian company constructing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ data center, focusing on timely completion, quality assurance, and robust security.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Nebiat Getachew gave a press briefing on Thursday (February 5) on the general arrangements for the 39th African Union Summit and the Italy–Africa Summit, both scheduled to take place next week.
Djibouti
President Ismail Omar Guelleh received U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Saturday (January 31), with the two sides holding discussions on areas of mutual interest.
Africa and the African Union
Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf hosted UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Yvette Cooper at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa on Monday (February 2), reaffirming the enduring Africa–UK partnership and a shared commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based international system.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Responds to Questions Raised by Members of Parliament
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed responded to questions raised by members of parliament during the 10th Regular Session of the 5th Year of the 6th Term of the House of Peoples’ Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, held on Tuesday (February 3).
On economic issues, the Prime Minister stated that among the main objectives of Ethiopia’s economic reform, the first is to stabilize macroeconomic imbalances. He noted that the second objective is to achieve high-quality growth by shifting the economic orientation from an agriculture-led approach to a more diversified, multi-sectoral and multi-actor structure, while another objective is to ease Ethiopia’s debt burden. In this regard, he underscored that, by all measures, Ethiopia has recorded remarkable economic success.
Speaking on preparing youth for tomorrow’s competition, the Prime Minister explained that it is necessary to prepare young people in advance for the competition of tomorrow. From this perspective, he noted that Ethiopia has been working with technology as one of its five pillars of development, with a focus on serving future generations. He emphasized that artificial intelligence is particularly useful in this regard, stating that work is underway to establish what is the world’s second AI university. He added that the university will begin operations within the next year, noting that just as forefathers built Ethiopian Airlines and made it a source of national pride, this university will usher in a better future for children and generations to come.
Addressing efforts aimed at building tomorrow, the Prime Minister observed that initiatives undertaken in technology, children’s education, urban development, and the Green Legacy initiative demonstrate that the government is guided by knowledge not only to reduce the burdens of the past and achieve growth today, but also to ensure that children can stand tall tomorrow, avoid migration, and create wealth within the country.
Touching on growth projections, the Prime Minister pointed out that Ethiopia is among the countries that have achieved leading economic growth without oil resources. Based on a review of performance over the past six months of the current fiscal year, he noted that the plan has been revised to project 10.2 percent growth by the end of the year, a forecast closely aligned with the International Monetary Fund’s projection.
On agricultural performance, the Prime Minister reported that over the past six months it has been possible to harvest 999 million quintals of crop production, accounting for 78 percent of the annual plan. He noted that 79 percent of the planned targets in crops, horticulture, and cotton have been achieved, adding that strengthening and sustaining this momentum over the next six months would make it possible to exceed planned targets.
Highlighting the Made In Ethiopia manufacturing movement, the Prime Minister recalled that when the initiative began, industrial production capacity utilization did not exceed 47 percent, but within three years it increased to 66.3 percent. He noted that industrial energy consumption grew by 16 percent in the past six months alone, and that domestic production replaced imports previously valued at 3.4 billion US dollars. He added that export earnings from industry are expected to double by the end of the fiscal year.
Emphasizing the significance of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Prime Minister stressed that it cannot be argued that a government capable of completing the dam without a single birr of aid or loans is incapable of undertaking major projects. He underscored that Ethiopia did not take even one birr in aid or loans for the dam, describing it as a collective national project realized through the determination, resilience, and unity of Ethiopians.
On debt reduction efforts, the Prime Minister noted that one of the most commendable achievements of the government is its work on debt. He said that at the start of the reform Ethiopia was heavily indebted, and since then the government has not entered into a single commercial loan agreement in US dollars. He described this as a praiseworthy policy direction, adding that sustained efforts over the past two to three years to return to a proper and sustainable debt framework have largely been successful.
Discussing export performance, the Prime Minister outlined that over the past six months Ethiopia earned 5.1 billion US dollars from merchandise exports, achieving 120 percent of the plan. He added that service exports generated 4.5 billion US dollars, remittances reached 4.6 billion US dollars, and 2.3 billion US dollars in foreign direct investment was attracted, reflecting sound macroeconomic management.
Turning to national infrastructure and service delivery, the Prime Minister explained that Ethiopian Airlines transported close to 8 million passengers annually at the start of the reform, while in the past six months alone it carried 10.7 million passengers. He noted that mobile phone users increased from 37 million to 97 million, cities with 5G internet users will soon reach 30, and mobile money users have reached 58 million, attributing this progress to focused policy efforts.
On developments in mining and construction, the Prime Minister reported that the mining sector recorded a 30 percent revenue increase over the past six months, iron production rose by 36 percent, and cement production increased by 28 percent, demonstrating the continued expansion of housing development.
Addressing the issue of peace, the Prime Minister observed that Ethiopia’s persistent lack of peace stems from a long-standing reliance on force to resolve differences, an age-old tradition of betrayal, and the fear among enemies that Ethiopia may grow and prosper.
Speaking on the political participation of the people of Tigray, the Prime Minister emphasized that they must become actors in the political arena. He noted that the people of Tigray desire peace and development, seek to overcome hardship through hard work, and want to grow in cooperation with other Ethiopians. However, he observed that they have been treated as a stage rather than actors, stressing that a new political mindset is required and that politicians in Tigray must move from supporting roles to leading roles.
On the issue of Wolkait, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that residents have the right to live in peace, a principle firmly upheld by the Federal government. He acknowledged long-standing competing claims by the Amhara and Tigray regions, but emphasized that no one should be displaced, displaced residents must return home, administer themselves, and resolve their own issues without external interference.
Turning to this year’s election, the Prime Minister stated that the government is working intensively to ensure the process is peaceful, fair, inclusive, and better than the previous election. He urged the public to judge the election by its results, expressing confidence that the next parliament will reflect diverse voices and that all participating forces will benefit from a peaceful process.
On the inclusive national dialogue, the Prime Minister said that while past generations waged wars, the current generation must shape the country through dialogue. He noted that the National Dialogue Commission has identified key agendas and carried out commendable work, adding that the process has shown Ethiopians share closely aligned interests and aspirations.
Addressing developments in the Horn of Africa, the Prime Minister said the region is one stitched together to prevent it from tearing apart and patched to keep it from unraveling. Although it is home to peoples who are closely connected by culture and language, it is also marked by intense rivalry and external interference. He noted that the issue of shared waters has further complicated matters, drawing external actors into internal affairs and turning what should have been mutual support into a source of conflict. For this reason, he said the region faces its own set of challenges, adding that significant efforts are underway to address and resolve them and expressing confidence that they will succeed.
Ethiopia Hosts UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to Strengthen Bilateral Relations
Ethiopia received the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper, MP, on an official visit from January 31 to February 2. The visit highlighted the continued efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and promote cooperation in key areas of mutual interest.
During her visit, Foreign Secretary Cooper held meetings with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, where discussions focused on bilateral and regional priorities. In the presence of Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Cooperation in Public Investment and Asset Management under the Ethiopia Investment Advisory Facility. Joint agreements were also concluded for two strategic power transmission projects, the Hurso–Aysha 400 kV Transmission Project and the Degehbur–Kebridehar 132 kV Transmission Project, aimed at enhancing Ethiopia’s energy infrastructure and supporting sustainable economic growth.
Foreign Secretary Cooper also met with Gedion Timothewos, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss the ongoing partnership between Ethiopia and the United Kingdom. The discussions included opportunities to expand collaboration and addressed regional peace and security issues, reflecting Ethiopia’s role in promoting stability in the Horn of Africa.
The visit provided a platform to highlight Ethiopia’s role in regional peacebuilding, investment promotion, and sustainable development. Ethiopian officials noted the importance of the United Kingdom as a partner, particularly in supporting infrastructure development, trade, and investment, and stressed the need for cooperation to have practical benefits for citizens.
Foreign Secretary Cooper expressed her appreciation for the reception and for the discussions on future cooperation. She acknowledged Ethiopia’s development potential and its selection to host COP32, noting the country’s contributions to climate action and its advocacy for the interests of developing nations.
The visit included a tour of Safaricom Ethiopia, where Foreign Secretary Cooper observed the impact of investment on job creation, digital inclusion, and connectivity, emphasizing the role of private sector engagement in supporting sustainable growth.
Ethiopia values its longstanding relations with the United Kingdom, rooted in decades of diplomatic engagement and people-to-people ties. The partnership has developed across changing global and regional contexts, producing tangible outcomes in areas such as education, health, development cooperation, peacebuilding, and economic opportunity. A recent visit in February 2025 by the UK Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Angela Rayner, MP, and subsequent political consultations in London further reflect the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in trade, investment, and other areas of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Abiy Inaugurates Shabeely Resort and Aysha-II Wind Power Project
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Saturday (January 31) officially inaugurated the Shabeely Resort, one of the largest tourism projects developed under the Dine for Generations initiative, and the Aysha-II Wind Power Project in the Somali Region, in a ceremony attended by President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Shabeely Resort, the Prime Minister reflected on the transformation underway in the Somali Region, describing it as a growing hub for large-scale development projects. He noted that the region has witnessed rapid progress through the construction of thousands of kilometers of roads, the advancement of major gas projects, and the emergence of industrial initiatives, including car assembly plants.
Developed under the Dine for Generations initiative, the Shabeely Resort spans 385 hectares and reflects Ethiopia’s broader ambition to position tourism as a driver of sustainable development. According to the Office of the Prime Minister, the project integrates cultural, environmental, and conferencing infrastructure within a purpose-built tourism complex.
Prime Minister Abiy concluded the ceremony by expressing deep appreciation to all those whose dedication transformed Ethiopia’s natural endowments into a shared legacy for both citizens and visitors.
Later the same day, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Aysha-II Wind Power Project which has a total installed capacity of 120 megawatts, with 80 megawatts from its first phase already connected to Ethiopia’s national grid, marking a major step forward in the country’s renewable energy expansion.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Abiy stated that Ethiopia has reached a defining moment where national development goals are inseparable from energy growth. He emphasized that expanding renewable energy sources is not only illuminating cities and towns, but also powering economic opportunity and national prosperity.
The Prime Minister noted that the Aysha-II project reflects Ethiopia’s pursuit of self-reliance through collective effort and effective use of local resources, stressing that clean energy lies at the heart of the country’s long-term economic transformation. He added that Ethiopia’s renewable energy agenda aligns with global climate priorities and evolving economic trends, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in energy infrastructure.
Highlighting the link between clean energy and environmental protection, Prime Minister Abiy pointed to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as a flagship project built entirely with domestic resources. He described the GERD as a source of pride for Africa and a practical demonstration of what clean energy cooperation can achieve.
According to the Prime Minister, Ethiopia’s renewable energy vision extends beyond domestic needs and aims to strengthen regional integration. He noted ongoing cooperation with Djibouti in energy, water management, and infrastructure, alongside efforts to deepen energy and transport connectivity with Somalia and South Sudan. In this context, the commissioning of the first phase of Aysha-II was described as a milestone for shared regional development.
Prime Minister Abiy also remarked that Ethiopia’s progress in clean energy contributed to its selection as host of the upcoming COP-32 Summit, expressing readiness to showcase Africa’s climate ambitions and solutions on the global stage. He concluded by emphasizing the vast potential of East Africa, noting that coordinated regional action could deliver reliable energy, economic growth, and environmental benefits across the region.
Ethiopia Highlights Agricultural Products and Expands Global Market Presence at Gulfood 2026
Ethiopia presented its agricultural products and engaged with international trade partners at Gulfood 2026, the annual food and beverage exhibition held in Dubai from January 26–30. The event brought together buyers, suppliers, policymakers, and investors from across the agrifood value chain, providing a platform for business and market engagement.
The Ethiopian Pavilion was inaugurated by Jemal Beker, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United Arab Emirates; Zerihun Megersa, Consul General of Ethiopia in Dubai and the Northern Emirates; and senior officials from the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration.
The pavilion showcased a variety of agricultural products, including coffee, spices, pulses, oilseeds, honey, meat, dairy, and processed food items. More than 22 leading exporters and agro-industrial companies participated under a unified national platform coordinated by the Ethiopian Missions in the UAE and the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration. This approach supported a cohesive national presence and strengthened Ethiopia’s engagement with international buyers and investors.
The traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony held at the pavilion attracted visitors and provided a cultural dimension to Ethiopia’s participation, highlighting the heritage and global recognition of Ethiopian coffee.
Gulfood 2026 featured over 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries, presenting more than 1.5 million products, maintaining its position as a major international marketplace for food and beverage trade and investment.
Ethiopia’s participation resulted in the establishment of 15 new international market opportunities for its agricultural products and the sale of 20,000 metric tons of export products. The pavilion also facilitated the trade of 455 metric tons of meat and generated export revenue of 24 million USD. These outcomes reflect the competitiveness of Ethiopia’s agricultural sector and the effectiveness of its coordinated trade promotion efforts.
In addition to commercial outcomes, Ethiopia’s participation demonstrated a continued commitment to the Middle East market and to attracting investment in agro-processing, logistics, cold-chain development, and value-addition industries. The exhibition provided a forum for expanding business-to-business connections, increasing market access, and highlighting Ethiopia’s comparative advantages, including fertile land, a young workforce, and developing industrial parks dedicated to agribusiness.
As Gulfood 2026 concluded, Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to building international partnerships, improving export performance, and establishing itself as a reliable supplier in the global agrifood market.
Ethiopia Hosted Regional Expert Meeting on Protecting Energy Infrastructure from Terrorist Threats
Addis Ababa hosted the Regional counter-terrorism experts meeting under the theme “Protecting Energy Infrastructure against Terrorist Threats” on January 28–29. The meeting organized by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre (AUCTC) convened senior government officials, counter-terrorism experts, security practitioners, and representatives of regional and international organizations from Eastern Africa and the Horn of Africa.
The meeting highlighted the growing vulnerability of major energy projects in the region, including oil and gas pipelines and cross-border power transmission networks. Participants underscored that these projects are essential for regional integration and economic transformation, yet remain exposed to both direct terrorist attacks and indirect disruptions linked to instability and limited institutional capacity.
Participants noted that terrorist groups are increasingly targeting critical infrastructure, particularly energy assets, due to their strategic, economic, and symbolic value. Participants also shared national experiences and good practices in safeguarding energy infrastructure from terrorist threats. Ethiopia’s delegation shared national experience in safeguarding security of energy infrastructure that is a national security priority and a shared regional responsibility.
The meeting also contributed to the enriching “Technical Guide on Protecting Critical Energy Infrastructure against Terrorist Attacks” incorporating region-specific insights and operational realities from Eastern and Southern Africa. Participants emphasized the importance of sustained international and regional cooperation, information sharing, and trust-based partnerships to address evolving terrorist threats.
Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with UNOCT, AUCTC, regional partners, and international stakeholders to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The meeting concluded with a shared understanding that fragmented approaches are insufficient to counter complex and transnational terrorist threats. Participants committed to forge sustained cooperation on risk assessment, early-warning systems, and intelligence-led cooperation, use of information and communication technologies, and capacity-building efforts.
Ethiopia Engages in Preparatory Meeting for 2026 UN Water Conference in Dakar
Ethiopia participated in the high-level preparatory meeting for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, held in Dakar, Senegal, from January 26–27. The meeting brought together senior government officials, United Nations representatives, and officials from regional and international organizations to discuss key themes, including Water for the Planet, Water for Prosperity, Water for Cooperation, and Water in Multiple Processes, as well as investment in water resources.
The meeting was opened by the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of global collaboration on water management.
During the meeting, it was highlighted the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, as a successful and scalable project that can boost regional integration. Furthermore, Ethiopia stressed that it believes water is an opportunity multiplier. Ethiopia also underscored the need to intensify cooperation to address the development needs of all the peoples in the basin countries. Similarly, it also highlighted that as there is no fit-for all solutions to global water governance, efforts to create international cooperation must consider peculiarity of each water basins and must avoid top down approach in the process.
Ethiopia shared its national experience in pursuing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) through national programs and policies, focusing on sustainable use, watershed management, and pollution control, with increasing emphasis on water reuse, especially in urban areas for sanitation and irrigation. Citing the fact that 70 percent of the 3 billion global population is in Sub-Saharan Africa, Ethiopia highlighted the need for national investment and enhanced international cooperation for water sector investment towards meeting the SDG targets and Agenda 2063 Goals.
The Dakar High-level Preparatory Conference serves as the official preparatory meeting for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, in United Arab Emirates. The Water Conference is mandated by the UN general Assembly that decided to convene the conference in order to promote accelerated Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
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