AGP Executive Report

Climate Risk for Women: CARE warns this year’s “super” El Niño will hit women hardest, framing it as a women’s health crisis as drought and severe rainfall intensify across the Horn. Urban Water & Health: Addis Ababa’s Kebena River is being rebuilt from a polluted dumping corridor into a riverside green space, with restored ecosystems and public access. Green Legacy Initiative: Ethiopia’s diplomats praise the Green Legacy Initiative for large-scale restoration and resilience, including a 2026 push to plant billions more seedlings. Energy Connectivity: Ethiopia and Kenya signed a new electricity supply deal at about 24.07 birr/kWh to expand reliable cross-border power and strengthen regional integration. Infrastructure & Growth: PM Abiy inaugurated the modernized Nigus Tekle Haimanot Airport in Debre Markos, aiming to boost trade, tourism, and market access. Food Safety & Pesticides: A policy push urges moving beyond toxic pesticide dependence to protect public health and support safer, more resilient food systems. Governance & Services: Ethiopia’s Demographic and Health Survey reports gaps in clean water, electricity, and hygiene as the country urbanizes.

Climate Risk for Ethiopia: CARE warns this year’s “super” El Niño will hit women hardest, framing it as a women’s health and household burden issue as severe rainfall is expected in parts of East Africa including Ethiopia. Urban Water & Health: Addis Ababa’s Kebena River is being transformed from a polluted dumping corridor into a riverside green space after the Entoto–Kebena River and Riverside Development Project was opened to the public. Green Restoration Spotlight: Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative drew praise as an inclusive climate resilience model, with diplomats and scientists pointing to ecosystem restoration and climate-resilient livelihoods. Power & Grid Integration: Ethiopia and Kenya signed a new electricity supply deal to boost cross-border trade and reliable power along the shared border, while the African Energy Chamber urged faster development of interconnected electricity markets to handle rising demand and grid fragility. Infrastructure with Environmental Links: Debre Markos’ modernized Nigus Tekle Haimanot Airport was inaugurated, aiming to spur trade and tourism in northwestern Ethiopia. Water Access Gap: A new Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey highlights low access to clean drinking water and electricity, underscoring environmental service gaps as the country urbanizes.

Green Legacy Initiative: Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is getting fresh international praise, with diplomats and a climate scientist highlighting its nationwide restoration push—now in its eighth year—aimed at degraded-land recovery, resilience, and community benefits, including a 2026 target of planting 8 billion additional seedlings. Regional Power Trade: Ethiopia and Kenya signed an expanded electricity supply deal through EEU and Kenya Power, setting a tariff of 24.07 birr/kWh and boosting cross-border reliability and East Africa’s energy integration. Climate-Resilience Governance: Delegates at Ethiopia’s International Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum joined the Green Legacy campaign by planting seedlings at the House of People’s Representatives, linking climate action with broader public policy and security discussions. Water, Health, and Services Snapshot: A new Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey reports uneven access to clean water, electricity, and hygiene, underscoring the environment-health-development link as the country urbanizes. Wildlife & Land: A nature feature spotlights Ethiopia’s rare wildlife, including the Ethiopian wolf, reinforcing conservation value for biodiversity and tourism. Migration Pressure (Context): In the U.S., TPS work permits for Ethiopians and other groups were extended briefly, affecting livelihoods for migrants tied to the Horn of Africa.

Cross-Border Power Trade: Ethiopia and Kenya signed a new electricity supply deal between EEU and KPLC, setting a tariff of 24.07 birr per kWh to boost reliable border power and deepen East Africa’s energy connectivity. Climate Restoration Spotlight: Diplomats praised Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative as an inclusive climate resilience model, citing large-scale tree planting and ecosystem restoration, with a 2026 target of 8 billion seedlings. Early Action for Disasters: IGAD’s ICPAC and Action Against Hunger launched a 24-month anticipatory action project to protect nearly 250,000 people across Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti by linking climate forecasts to timely humanitarian response. Energy Grid Integration Push: The African Energy Chamber urged an interconnected African electricity market, warning that grid fragility and rising demand threaten investment and industrial growth. Governance & Rights: The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission unveiled a new strategic plan through 2030, reporting thousands of petitions resolved and renewed focus on accountability. Public Health & Services Gaps: Ethiopia’s Demographic and Health Survey highlights uneven access to clean water, electricity and hygiene as the country urbanizes. FDI Boost: Ethiopia reported 4.32 billion USD in FDI for 2025/26, driven by new licenses and export-linked special economic zones.

Climate Risk & Early Action: IGAD’s ICPAC and Action Against Hunger launched a $4.5m, 24-month anticipatory action project to protect nearly 250,000 people in Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti by linking climate forecasts to faster, coordinated humanitarian response. Energy Integration: Ethiopia and Kenya formalized a power supply deal where Kenya Power will buy Ethiopian electricity at 15.5 cents per kWh plus a monthly demand charge, pushing a more connected East African grid. Carbon Finance Capacity: The AU and ACBF trained 80+ diplomats in Addis Ababa to negotiate better outcomes in the expanding global carbon market under the Paris Agreement. Wildlife Conservation: Ethiopia’s Grevy’s zebra foal news highlights the species’ endangered status and the need for renewed protection. Agriculture & Food Security: Ethiopia’s push for stronger phytosanitary systems and digital ag support comes as El Niño risks rise, threatening yields and supply stability. Regional Diplomacy: Ethiopia hosted a Parliamentary Intelligence-Security forum, underscoring cross-border threats like cybercrime and trafficking alongside peace and stability goals.

Early Action for the Horn: IGAD’s ICPAC and Action Against Hunger launched IMPAACT, a 24-month, $4.5m initiative to protect about 243,801 people in Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti by linking climate forecasts to faster, coordinated humanitarian response. Regional Power Integration: Ethiopia assumed the Eastern Africa Power Pool chair and pledged to speed up cross-border electricity trade. Cross-border electricity deal: Kenya Power will buy Ethiopian power under a ratified agreement at 15.5 US cents per kWh, with a monthly demand charge, aiming to strengthen a connected East African grid. Carbon Market Capacity: The AU and ACBF trained 80+ diplomats in Addis Ababa to negotiate better outcomes in the expanding global carbon market under Paris Agreement Article 6. Climate risk warning: The US National Weather Service says El Niño is strengthening, with high odds it persists into spring 2027—raising the stakes for floods and drought planning across Africa. Food security and pests: FAO, IPPC and partners expanded Ethiopia-hosted digital phytosanitary training to 38 countries to improve pest detection and reporting. Wildlife conservation: Ethiopia’s Walia ibex is reported critically endangered again, renewing pressure on biodiversity protection.

Climate finance squeeze: UN/UNESCO research says many developing countries spent more on repaying foreign debt than on education in 2025, with sub-Saharan Africa paying 3.6 times more on debt service than education—warning funding cuts could worsen the “austerity” trap. Trade and environment-linked resilience: Ethiopia hosted a Canton Fair promotion at the AU in Addis Ababa, highlighting how African exporters are pushing deeper into China’s market as climate and supply-chain shocks raise the stakes for trade. El Niño risk for the Horn: The US National Weather Service warns a very strong El Niño is likely to persist through spring 2027, raising odds of extreme weather that can hit food, water, and disaster response planning. Anticipatory action for disasters: Action Against Hunger and IGAD’s ICPAC launched a two-year ECHO-funded IMPAACT initiative to build interoperable multi-hazard anticipatory action systems for 243,801 people across Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti. Power integration: Ethiopia assumed chairmanship of the Eastern Africa Power Pool Council of Ministers, pledging faster regional electricity connectivity. Plant health surveillance: FAO and partners expanded Ethiopia-hosted Africa’s phytosanitary programme to 38 countries, using digital tools and geospatial monitoring to curb crop pests. Marine plastic monitoring: Scientists from 21 African countries met in Accra to harmonize microplastics monitoring protocols using nuclear/isotopic techniques, including Ethiopia’s participation. Wildlife conservation: Ethiopia’s Walia ibex is again flagged as critically endangered after new estimates showed a sustained decline. Biodiversity and climate policy capacity: AU and ACBF trained 80+ diplomats in Addis Ababa to negotiate stronger African positions in the expanding global carbon market. Energy and emissions pressure: Ethiopia’s regional energy push comes as oil refining plans elsewhere (Dangote’s Lamu refinery) underline how fossil fuel investments can complicate climate and air-quality goals.

Carbon Finance Diplomacy: The AU and ACBF trained 80+ ambassadors and senior diplomats in Addis Ababa to strengthen Africa’s negotiating position as Paris Article 6 carbon markets could unlock major climate finance. Regional Power Integration: Ethiopia took over the Eastern Africa Power Pool chairmanship in Addis Ababa, pledging faster electricity connectivity and cross-border energy cooperation. Marine Plastic Monitoring: Scientists from 21 African countries met in Accra to harmonise microplastics monitoring protocols for coastal environments, aiming for comparable data to guide marine protection. Wildlife Conservation: Ethiopia’s Walia ibex has again been flagged as critically endangered after new estimates showed a sustained population decline. Plant Health Systems: Ethiopia hosted the third phase of the Africa Phytosanitary Programme, expanding digital pest surveillance training to 38 countries. Energy and Climate Risk: Global reporting warns that a possible “super El Niño” could intensify droughts and floods, with knock-on effects for food systems and supply chains.

Climate Risk & Food Security: UN agencies warn a strengthening El Niño could hit Ethiopia and other high-risk countries, with calls for $200m+ to protect 8.8 million people via cash support, climate-resilient seeds, livestock protection and flood-control. Super El Niño Supply Chains: A separate global report flags “Super El Niño” as a major threat to already strained supply chains, with extreme heat and drought in some regions and heavy rains elsewhere. Plant Health & Trade: Ethiopia reaffirmed support for the African Phytosanitary Programme, stressing plant health as key to food security, productivity and safer AfCFTA trade, with digital surveillance and harmonized pest monitoring. Drug Control Cooperation: Ethiopia presented its national drug control strategy at BRICS anti-drug talks, highlighting a balanced approach across enforcement, prevention, treatment and digital innovation. WTO Progress: Ethiopia signed a bilateral market access protocol with Thailand at the WTO in Geneva, marking another step toward full membership. Gold Investment Push: Ethiopia’s Kurmuk gold project nears first industrial gold as Zijin’s $5.5bn Allied Gold deal advances, potentially reshaping the country’s mining footprint. Sustainable Jobs via Agrifood: A Malabo Montpellier Panel report says agrifood systems can create decent, resilient jobs across Africa, citing Ethiopia, Nigeria and Rwanda case studies.

Macroeconomic & Investment Climate: Ethiopia’s diplomats say recent macroeconomic reforms and faster digital transformation are improving the ease of doing business and boosting foreign direct investment confidence. Phytosanitary & Food Security: Ethiopia reiterated its commitment to strengthen Africa’s plant health systems under the African Phytosanitary Programme, warning that transboundary pests, invasive species and climate change threaten agriculture and trade. Drug Control Cooperation: Ethiopia presented its national drug control strategy at the BRICS anti-drug chiefs meeting in Guwahati, stressing a balanced approach across law enforcement and public health, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. WTO Accession Progress: Ethiopia signed a bilateral market access protocol with Thailand at the WTO in Geneva, marking another step toward full membership and aiming to unlock more predictable trade and investment. Tigray Peace & Civilians: Tigray stakeholders called for an end to forced conscription, warning that any return to armed conflict could trigger another humanitarian catastrophe. Climate Risk Watch: UN agencies flagged El Niño as a growing threat across high-risk African countries including Ethiopia, urging support such as climate-resilient seeds and flood-control measures.

El Niño Risk: UN agencies warned El Niño could intensify extreme weather across Africa, with Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia among 22 high-risk countries—support needs include cash transfers, climate-resilient seeds, livestock protection and flood-control measures. Ethiopia’s Export Push: Ethiopia reported record $10.7bn export earnings, driven by gold, coffee, oilseeds and horticulture, alongside rising electricity exports—an economic bright spot as Somalia faces funding crunches after US security cuts. Clean Energy for Small Businesses: A $1.5m grant facility backed 19 firms in Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia to expand solar-powered productive-use appliances, aiming for thousands of green jobs. Surgery Outcomes in Ethiopia: An Orbis study says a $2,500 “micro-investment” plus a smartphone app nearly doubled cataract surgery success in 11 Ethiopian hospitals. Health & Inequality: A pooled study found early menopause affects about 1 in 14 women (30–49) in low- and middle-income countries, higher in rural areas. Tigray Rights Alarm: HRW reported Tigray authorities forcibly recruiting children as young as 15, raising fears of renewed conflict. Policy Climate Finance Backslide: The World Bank dropped its formal climate lending target under US pressure, a move that could reshape how climate support reaches poorer countries.

Climate Risk & Food Security: UN FAO and WFP have launched an appeal for over $200m to protect 8.8 million people in 22 high-risk countries as El Niño is forecast to intensify, with Ethiopia listed among the most at-risk nations; planned support includes cash transfers, climate-resilient seeds, livestock protection and flood-control measures. Health & Environment Link: A new Orbis International study says a simple smartphone app plus a $2,500 “micro-investment” helped 11 Ethiopian hospitals nearly double cataract surgery success, improving patients with good vision from 32.2% to 56.0%. Governance & Waste/Circular Economy: East Africa’s local and county governments are being urged to lead climate and service delivery, with Mandera’s ALIO highlighting the role of local action in solid waste management and circular economy. Human Rights in Conflict Zones: HRW reports Tigray authorities have abducted and forcibly recruited civilians, including children as young as 15, raising fears of renewed instability. Trade & Exports: Ethiopia says exports hit a record $10.7bn, with reforms boosting hard-currency inflows.

Parliament & Governance: PM Abiy Ahmed told MPs Ethiopia’s election showed “political maturity,” saying voter suppression efforts failed as millions voted across 50,000+ polling stations; MPs then pressed him on national security, economic reforms, housing, clean water, energy access, mega-project delivery, and sea-access strategy. Human Rights & Conflict Risk: Human Rights Watch reports Tigray authorities have abducted and forcibly recruited civilians, including children as young as 15, via night raids and roundups from streets, workplaces and gold-mining sites, warning of a growing “climate of fear.” Climate & Food Security: FAO and WFP appealed for $200M+ to protect 8.8M people in high-risk countries, including Ethiopia, ahead of El Niño’s return with support like climate-resilient seeds, livestock protection and flood-control. COP Planning: Ethiopia’s COP32 president-designate Gedion Timothewos met COP30 counterparts to exchange lessons on logistics and stakeholder engagement as Ethiopia ramps up preparations. Environment-Linked Development: Ethiopia and Korea’s Exim Bank reaffirmed a $1.7B development partnership focused on energy, transport, irrigation and other infrastructure tied to sustainable growth.

Climate Risk & Food Security: FAO and WFP are appealing for over $200m to protect 8.8 million people in 22 African countries from the return of El Niño, with support including cash transfers, climate-smart seeds, livestock protection and flood-control measures—Ethiopia is listed among the most at-risk countries. COP Planning: Ethiopia’s COP32 President-designate FM Gedion Timothewos met COP30 President-designate Ambassador André Aranha Corrêa do Lago to exchange lessons on logistics, stakeholder engagement and conference management as Ethiopia ramps up preparations for COP32. Landslide Risk Research: A new “Our Changing World” feature highlights how landslide risk models are built from past events, using New Zealand’s long-running landslide mapping and databases as a guide for better national preparedness. Agriculture & Resilience: Ethiopia’s Agricultural Transformation Institute says soil and groundwater mapping, cluster farming and mechanization reforms are improving productivity and farmers’ access to inputs. Heritage Conservation: Ethiopia’s Heritage Authority reports milestones from international engagement around Lalibela, pointing to stronger global cooperation to safeguard heritage and boost tourism. Conflict & Human Rights: Human Rights Watch alleges forced recruitment in Tigray, including children as young as 15, raising fears of renewed violence.

Forest loss and climate pressure: Global Forest Watch data says 2025 tree cover loss hit 25.5 million hectares, with fires driving most damage and climate change making fires hotter and more destructive; the report warns that up to a third of forest loss since 2001 may be permanent, with Africa’s rainforests—especially the Congo Basin—still heavily affected. Ethiopia forced recruitment: Human Rights Watch reports Tigray authorities have abducted and forcibly recruited civilians, including boys as young as 15, since at least April 2026, fueling fear across the region. Clean Ethiopia push: Ethiopia launched the third “Clean Ethiopia for the Next Generations” campaign, linking action on plastic waste, pollution and noise to health, tourism and climate resilience, and tying it to the Green Legacy Initiative and riverbank rehabilitation. Green Legacy at Lalibela: Diplomats planted trees at Lalibela’s UNESCO rock-hewn churches, blending heritage protection with climate action. Agriculture transformation: The Agricultural Transformation Institute says soil and groundwater mapping, cluster farming and one-stop input centers are improving productivity and incomes. Water stress context: A global map highlights extreme water stress in many countries, underscoring the wider climate and resource pressure Ethiopia faces.

Clean Ethiopia Campaign: Deputy PM Temesgen Tiruneh launched the third national “Clean Ethiopia for the Next Generations” drive, linking plastic waste, pollution and noise to public health, tourism and investment, and tying it to the Green Legacy Initiative and riverbank rehabilitation. Green Legacy Diplomacy: Diplomats visiting Lalibela joined tree planting at the UNESCO rock-hewn churches, blending heritage protection with climate action and boosting Ethiopia’s international image. Agri Transformation: The Agricultural Transformation Institute says soil and groundwater mapping, cluster farming and one-stop input centers are already improving productivity and incomes, with nationwide soil fertility and shallow groundwater maps highlighted. Wildlife/Heritage Governance: Ethiopia’s Construction Authority moved to full rollout of a digital system to monitor construction quality, compliance and timelines—supporting better execution of projects that affect environmental and heritage outcomes. Biodiversity Funds: Ethiopia’s Biodiversity Institute says long-idle access-and-benefit-sharing funds will finally reach communities and conservation after an audit exposed delays. Health & Environment Link: Heart Attack Ethiopia began its fifth medical mission at MCM Hospital, aiming to build sustainable cardiovascular care through training alongside free surgeries. Regional Policy Watch: Ethiopia’s BRICS New Development Bank membership is set for parliamentary approval, signaling new development financing channels that could support climate resilience and infrastructure. Pastoral Livelihoods: A report questions whether massive aid and budget flows to pastoral areas are translating into real drought resilience and poverty reduction on the ground.