AGP Executive Report

Ethiopia–Border Governance: Ethiopia’s High-Level Policy Dialogue on border governance wrapped up with a roadmap for integrated border management, framing borders as zones where security, development, governance and mobility intersect. University Hospital Funding Pressure: Parliament reviewed a record Birr 2.34 trillion federal budget for 2026/27, with lawmakers questioning the outlook as inflation and unemployment bite; a key concern is ballooning costs for teaching hospitals, with proposed cuts to university allocations. Media Accountability Push: Germany-backed support for a new digital platform aims to strengthen the Ethiopian Media Council’s complaint handling, ethical journalism and access to reliable information amid ongoing press-freedom concerns. Rural Resilience on the Ground: Ethiopian Red Cross projects are improving water systems, sanitation and healthcare in drought-affected rural areas of Amhara and Oromia, changing daily life for communities long reliant on unsafe water sources. Climate-Smart Agriculture in the Spotlight: BRICS adopted the “Indore Declaration,” committing to climate-resilient farming and launching initiatives including a global forum on farmers’ seed rights and a digital agriculture network. Biodiversity Note: A Grevy’s zebra foal was born at the Los Angeles Zoo; the species is native to Ethiopia and northern Kenya and remains endangered due to habitat loss and other pressures. Ancient Ethiopia Discovery: A new study reports what may be the world’s earliest scientific evidence of cremation, based on burned Homo sapiens remains from Ethiopia’s Afar Rift Valley.

Ethiopia–EU Diplomacy: Ethiopia and the European Union held a second roundtable to push reforms inside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focusing on modernizing operations and strengthening the diplomatic service. National Dialogue: Ethiopia’s national dialogue is set for a July 15 start in Addis Ababa after consultations across 1,234 districts, aiming to build consensus on major political issues. Urban Transformation: A new look at Ethiopia’s rapid shift from rural livelihoods to expanding cities highlights road building, industrial parks, and corridor projects reshaping economic growth. Coffee Under Climate Pressure: USDA forecasts Ethiopia’s green coffee output rising 4.7% in 2026/27, with better yields and weather, while modernization and traceability efforts aim to lift farmers’ returns. Oil Spill Preparedness (Regional): LAPSSET in Kenya ran oil spill training ahead of full production, stressing coastal ecosystem protection and response readiness—an environmental risk signal for the wider region’s oil build-out. Wildlife & Habitat Awareness: Reports from Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression spotlight extreme acid pools as a Mars-like research site, while zoo coverage of Grevy’s zebra births in Los Angeles underscores the species’ endangered status and Ethiopia-linked habitat loss.

Ethiopia–EU Diplomacy Reform: Ethiopia and the EU held a second roundtable to support reforms at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focusing on modern operations and a stronger, more resilient diplomatic service. National Dialogue: Ethiopia’s national reconciliation talks move into their final stretch, with the main forum set for July 15 after consultations across 1,234 districts. Urban Transformation: A look at Ethiopia’s rapid shift from rural livelihoods to fast-growing cities driven by roads, industrial parks, housing, and corridor projects. Coffee and Climate Risk: USDA forecasts Ethiopia’s coffee production rising 4.7% to 12.1m 60-kg bags in 2026/27, with improved yields and weather—while commentary warns coffee is vulnerable to warming and erratic rainfall. Oil Spill Preparedness: As Ethiopia’s maritime oil role expands via LAPSSET, staff completed coastal oil-spill training aimed at protecting ecosystems and community livelihoods. EACOP Biodiversity Threats: A new report flags environmental risks from the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, including impacts on wetlands and wildlife corridors. El Niño Watch: NOAA says El Niño is back, with uneven effects but higher odds of drought and extreme weather across regions. BRICS Agriculture Push: BRICS agriculture ministers met in Indore to back smallholder farmers, food security, and climate-resilient farming. Refugee Health Support: MSF reports play-based psychosocial care for young children in Ethiopia’s Kule refugee camp to help recovery from severe malnutrition.

Danakil Spotlight: A viral photo from Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression shows glowing sulfur-rich acid pools in the Afar Rift, drawing fresh scientific interest in extreme environments that can resemble early Earth—and even Mars-like conditions. Heat Risk: A new global analysis warns that over 2 billion people face “cooling poverty,” where heat becomes life-threatening due to unsafe housing and lack of affordable cooling—an issue expected to worsen with El Niño-driven hotter conditions. Carbon Loss in Drylands: Research using decades of satellite data finds Ethiopia’s and the wider region’s drylands can lose stored carbon as wooded savanna shrinks and farmland expands, highlighting the climate cost of land pressure. Protected Areas Trade-offs: A Nature study reports Ethiopia’s protected areas reduced deforestation and agricultural expansion from 2000–2020, but also notes nearby communities sometimes saw declines in food security and wellbeing. Green Tourism Push: IFC’s $80m loan to MIDROC Ethiopia will refurbish Sheraton Addis and build a new Sheraton, aiming for Ethiopia’s first green-certified hotels ahead of COP32 in 2027. Climate Outlook: NOAA confirms El Niño is back, with impacts varying by region—raising odds of drought and heat extremes across parts of Asia and beyond.

Urban Resilience Diplomacy: Ethiopia is among delegations at India’s-hosted 13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum in New Delhi, focused on “Cities for People” and climate- and disaster-resilient, digitally enabled urban development. Climate Risk & Food Security Skills: CIMMYT and Ambo University trained Ethiopian researchers in applied research and statistical modelling with R, aiming to turn agricultural data into evidence for stronger productivity and resilience. Protected Areas Trade-offs: A new Nature study reports Ethiopia’s protected areas slowed deforestation and farm expansion (2000–2020), but also found nearby communities sometimes saw weaker food security and wellbeing—highlighting the need for better alignment between conservation and livelihoods. Green Tourism Investment: IFC approved an $80m loan to MIDROC Ethiopia for Sheraton Addis refurbishment and a new Sheraton property, targeting Ethiopia’s first green-certified hotels ahead of COP32 in 2027. Circular Economy Push: Reach for Change Ethiopia graduated green entrepreneurs from its Green Innovation Lab and Incubator, backed by IKEA Foundation support, to scale waste management, recycling, reuse and circular business models.

Climate Risk & Equity: A new Nature Sustainability analysis warns that “cooling poverty” leaves more than 2 billion people in poor communities exposed to deadly heat, with risks rising as hot spells intensify and households lack safe, affordable cooling, housing, healthcare, and heat information. Conservation Trade-offs: A Nature study says Ethiopia’s protected areas slowed deforestation and farm expansion from 2000–2020, but also found nearby communities reporting weaker food security and wellbeing in some places—highlighting that conservation wins may depend on aligning protected-area goals with local livelihoods. Green Tourism Investment: The IFC will lend $80 million to MIDROC Ethiopia to refurbish Sheraton Addis and build a new Sheraton hotel in Addis Ababa, aiming to add Ethiopia’s first “green-certified” hotels and support jobs ahead of COP32 in 2027. Circular Economy & Waste: Reach for Change Ethiopia and partners backed green entrepreneurs in circular economy work, including waste management and recycling, through incubator and lab programs supported by the IKEA Foundation. Protected Areas Research: The protected-areas findings also stress that “win-win” outcomes are not automatic and may require more than higher budgets.

Green Finance & Banking: Stanbic Bank (via Standard Bank) is weighing a greenfield entry into Ethiopia, but the 49% foreign ownership cap remains a major constraint even as the lender points to improving performance in Ethiopia’s telecom sector. Sea Access & Regional Security: A senior parliamentarian says Ethiopia’s renewed push for sea access is tied to regional security, trade, and shared prosperity across the Horn. Circular Economy & Waste: Reach for Change Ethiopia graduated a 2025 cohort of Green Entrepreneurs and launched a 2026 group, backing youth-led circular economy work in waste management, recycling, reuse, and green innovation. Tourism Jobs & Investment: IFC plans an $80m loan to MIDROC Ethiopia’s hotel expansion, including Sheraton Addis refurbishment and a new Sheraton hotel, targeting thousands of jobs and more formal employment for women and youth. Refugee Livelihoods: New studies on the DREAMS entrepreneurship program report gains in Ethiopia and Uganda—higher consumption, big jumps in savings, and stronger assets for refugees and host communities. Agri-innovation for Pest Control: Red Fox Ethiopia inaugurated the country’s first beneficial insect breeding center to reduce reliance on imported pest-control inputs and cut chemical risks for farm workers. Ethiopia Budget Signals Scale: The Council of Ministers approved a draft federal budget of 2.3 trillion Birr for the coming fiscal year, covering recurrent and capital spending and support for regional governments and SDGs.

Livestock Health & Trade: England plans to start vaccinating cattle against bovine TB from 2030, aiming for TB-free status by 2038, alongside expanded badger vaccination and a “Diva” test to keep vaccinated and infected animals distinguishable—though it will require EU talks since vaccination is currently banned. Humanitarian Funding: The U.S. State Department announced $240M+ for Catholic Relief Services for food, water, health, sanitation and shelter across crisis-hit countries including Ethiopia, after earlier USAID cuts. Ethiopia Development Projects: Ethiopia’s Deputy PM Temesgen Tiruneh inaugurated Woldia projects in Amhara, framing them as proof of steady transformation and resilience against forces driving division and poverty. Beneficial Insects for Safer Farming: Red Fox Ethiopia inaugurated the country’s first beneficial insect breeding center to reduce reliance on imported pest-control inputs and lower chemical risks for farm workers. Women & Reforestation: A feature highlights how Ethiopian women are driving restoration through tree planting and watershed work under the Green Legacy Initiative, targeting 50 billion seedlings by 2026. Forest Governance Gap: A regional webinar warns that Africa’s forest and biodiversity policies still lag in real-world implementation, despite stronger national commitments. Ethiopia’s Green Legacy in Focus: The same week also spotlights Ethiopia’s reforestation momentum and landscape restoration as central to climate resilience.

Waste & Public Health: Ghana’s Greater Accra waste crisis is pushing leaders to abandon landfill-only disposal, warning that funding gaps are already driving environmental damage and rising health costs; officials cite 4,400 tonnes of solid waste daily and only ~80% collection, with stakeholders calling for engineered treatment, recycling and composting instead of “dead end” landfills. Forest Governance Gap: A regional webinar says Africa’s forest and biodiversity policies are not translating into on-the-ground action, with researchers pointing to a persistent implementation gap even where national strategies align with global climate and biodiversity commitments. Climate-Smart Agriculture Diplomacy: BRICS agriculture talks in Indore put food security, climate-resilient farming and farmer welfare front and center, with Ethiopia among participating countries and discussions on technology exchange and climate-friendly smart agriculture. Energy Transition Reporting: Nigeria’s Secure Energy Programme is funding media grants to boost coverage of renewable energy, energy access and sustainable development—an indirect boost for accountability in clean-energy policy debates across the region. Ethiopia-Energy & Climate Research Link: Scientists are screening forage varieties to develop climate-smart livestock feed aimed at cutting methane while protecting milk and meat output, with Ethiopian research institutions involved. Ethiopia’s Policy & Investment Signals: Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers approved a 2.3-trillion birr draft budget for the coming EFY, while separate business updates highlight growing private-sector activity tied to national development goals.

BRICS Agriculture: A five-day BRICS Agriculture Working Group meeting opened in Indore under India’s chairmanship, with Ethiopia among members, aiming to shape a joint declaration on food security, climate-smart farming, agricultural trade, and farmer welfare. Climate-smart livestock: An Ethiopia-focused research update highlights efforts to screen forage varieties to cut livestock methane while protecting milk and meat output, involving EIAR and partners. Humanitarian funding: The US State Department announced a $240m disaster response grant to Catholic Relief Services, including rapid response support for crises that have included Ethiopia. Ethiopia diplomacy: Ethiopia concluded a five-day diplomatic training program for South Sudanese diplomats in Addis Ababa, covering hydro-politics and transboundary resource management. Energy and environment policy: A new report warns Africa’s solar power pools face rising climate-driven synchronization risk, threatening regional power reliability. Waste and sanitation (regional lesson): Ghana stakeholders urged a shift away from landfill-heavy waste disposal toward engineered treatment systems, citing funding gaps—an issue Ethiopia cities watch closely as urban waste grows. Ethiopia finance (enabler): United Capital won Ethiopia’s first foreign investment banking licence, a signal for capital market deepening that can support green investment.

Climate Risk: A new warning flags a possible “Godzilla El Niño,” driven by rapidly warming Pacific waters and a massive North Pacific marine heatwave—raising fears of longer marine disruptions and stronger climate impacts into 2027. Waste & Health: In Ghana, sanitation stakeholders are pushing a shift away from landfill-heavy disposal toward engineered treatment systems, warning that funding gaps could keep Greater Accra unsafe. Energy & Power Systems: A study warns Africa’s solar power pools may face rising “synchronization risk,” where climate-driven low-solar days hit multiple countries at once, stressing regional electricity resilience. Ethiopia Diplomacy & Water Politics: Ethiopia wrapped up a five-day diplomatic training for South Sudanese diplomats in Addis Ababa, covering negotiation, hydro-politics, and transboundary resource management. Ethiopia Finance & Growth: Ethiopia’s capital market gets a boost as ECMA licenses United Capital to operate investment banking via a local subsidiary in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia in BRICS: Ethiopia joined the BRICS foreign policy dialogue in New Delhi, highlighting climate action via the Green Legacy Initiative and pushing green finance and resilience.

Green Mobility: YADEA officially debuted its Africa-focused electric motorcycle KIFA at Autoexpo Kenya 2026, targeting the boda boda market with a 150 km range, 30-second battery swapping, and LFP battery packs—after selling more than 48,000 units in Ethiopia since entry three years ago. Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Nestlé, with Ivory Coast’s CNRA, developed six high-yield robusta varieties resistant to climate stress, aiming to boost yields by up to 86% when farmers plant a mix. Forest Food & Governance: New research warns Africa’s forest and tree-based foods are shrinking as traditional knowledge fades, while another study says policy frameworks on desertification, biodiversity and climate change are not translating into consistent on-the-ground implementation. Carbon Rights Rules: Ethiopia is moving toward a centralized federal framework for carbon markets, with a draft proclamation positioning the federal government as default owner of carbon rights—interacting with a prior directive that had aimed to vest ownership in local forest owners. Urban Greening: EEPA says Abiy Ahmed’s Riverside and Corridor developments are delivering visible environmental gains, alongside the Green Legacy Initiative’s massive tree-planting push. Disaster Risk Cooperation: Ethiopia participated in BRICS foreign policy dialogue in New Delhi, where sustainability and climate action—linked to the Green Legacy Initiative—featured prominently.

Green Transition & Waste: TIKA used Istanbul’s Zero Waste Festival to showcase recycling and waste-management projects across multiple countries, including initiatives tied to plastic recycling and waste-to-bricks in Tanzania and other circular-economy efforts. Climate Policy & Carbon Rights: Ethiopia is moving toward a centralized framework for forest and atmospheric carbon assets, with a draft proclamation positioning the federal government as default owner of carbon rights—potentially reshaping how local forest owners trade credits. Urban Environment & Conservation: Ethiopia’s EEPA highlighted World Environment Day and National Environmental Protection Day achievements, pointing to projects like the Entoto-Kechene Riverside Development and the Green Legacy Initiative’s massive tree-planting impact. Forest Food Security: New research warns that forest and tree-based foods in Ethiopia and other biodiversity hotspots are under pressure, as traditional knowledge fades and environmental and social change reduce availability. Ethiopia in BRICS Dialogue: Ethiopia joined the 11th BRICS Foreign Policy Dialogue in New Delhi, emphasizing climate action through the Green Legacy Initiative and pushing green finance and resilience cooperation. Safe Water Risk: A new global drinking-water assessment flags unsafe water as a major health risk, with many African countries among the lowest-ranked—relevant for Ethiopia’s water and sanitation priorities.

Climate & Water Security: A new Environmental Performance Index review flags unsafe drinking water as a major public health risk, with African nations dominating the lowest-ranked countries—linked to weak water infrastructure, sanitation gaps, wastewater limits, and climate pressure. Green Transition & Transport: Ethiopia’s push to electrify mobility is getting fresh backing, including Nordic support for electric mobility ahead of COP32 and policy momentum after Ethiopia signaled a ban on importing traditional internal-combustion vehicles. Carbon Markets & Forest Governance: Ethiopia is moving toward a centralized carbon-rights framework, with a federal draft proclamation positioning the government as default owner of mitigation outcomes and carbon credits, reshaping how communities and project developers manage forest carbon. Biodiversity & Seeds: The Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute marks 50 years protecting crop diversity and seed systems, while confronting new technological and governance shifts in biodiversity and food security. Disaster Risk & Resilience: Ethiopia is among BRICS participants praising Odisha’s near-zero-casualty cyclone preparedness model, highlighting regional learning on early warning, evacuation planning, and rescue readiness. Humanitarian Needs: The U.S. approved over $240m for Catholic Relief Services programs, including water, sanitation, health, food and shelter support for Ethiopia amid ongoing crises.

Ethiopia’s Green Transition & COP32 Prep: Nordic partners are stepping up support for Ethiopia’s electric mobility push, with Sweden highlighting upcoming COP32 in Addis Ababa and pledging investment, tech transfer, and policy cooperation ahead of a Nordic-Africa EV summit. Climate & Carbon Governance: Ethiopia is moving toward a more centralized framework for forest carbon rights, with a draft proclamation positioning the federal government as the default owner of carbon rights and mitigation outcomes, reshaping how communities and developers can trade credits. Urban Environment & Conservation: Ethiopia’s Environmental Protection Authority says PM Abiy’s Riverside and Corridor development projects are delivering visible ecological gains, alongside the ongoing Green Legacy afforestation drive. Disaster Resilience Diplomacy: Ethiopia is among BRICS delegates at Odisha’s disaster risk reduction meetings, where Ethiopia’s participation sits within a wider push for near-zero casualty preparedness and stronger early warning and response systems. E-mobility for Emissions Cuts: UNECA’s director links Ethiopia’s e-mobility strategy to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels. Humanitarian Aid Link: The US announced $240m+ for Catholic Relief Services, including Ethiopia, with multi-sector support spanning food, health, water, sanitation, and shelter. Ethiopia’s Biodiversity Legacy: The Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute marks 50 years of safeguarding crop diversity and seed systems, while confronting new pressures on biodiversity governance and food security.

E-Mobility for climate goals: UNECA says Ethiopia’s e-mobility strategy is cutting carbon emissions, boosting energy efficiency, and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. Regional water diplomacy: At Assosa University, speakers framed GERD as more than power—an engine for Horn of Africa cooperation and a call for evidence-based research to protect Ethiopia’s Nile rights. Electric two-wheelers expand: Yadea entered Kenya with electric motorcycles for boda bodas and logistics, using battery swapping and partnering locally for the swap network—building on its earlier Ethiopia sales. Diplomatic capacity-building: Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry wrapped a reform training for 60+ diplomats on situational analysis and crisis diplomacy, with plans to extend training to more staff. Trade links: Ethiopia and Canada moved to deepen business ties via a newly launched Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia. Tech services for data centers: Smart Hands Africa signed as a Supermicro services partner, offering installation, maintenance, and break-fix support across Ethiopia and other African markets.